INFORMATION FOR GSI-GUESTS - GSI Webserver WWW-WIN

“Orangerie”
In 1721 Rémy de la Fosse built this small castle as winter quarters for the orange trees that had
been brought from Sicily to Darmstadt to embellish the adjoining “Orangerie” park. Today the
“Orangerie” hall is used for concerts and congresses. Transport link: tram 3 via "Orangerie".
"Waldspirale" - Hundertwasser Building
The Waldspirale was built after the concept of Friedensreich Hundertwasser, the famous Austrian
artist. It is located at the border of the city in the "Bürgerpark". The Waldspirale is the first building
in Germany to use recycling concrete and has a typical Hundertwasser-design. The facade follows
no pattern, no window is in line. You can also get inside the building where you find a bistro and
restaurant. Transport link: tram lines 4 and 5 via "Messplatz".
Ruins of "Frankenstein Castle"
The Castle, once of considerable dimensions, is located at an elevation of 370 m on the northern
spur of the Langenberg. The noble family of Frankenstein built their stronghold on this jutting rock,
affording excellent defences. The Castle is first mentioned in the records in the year 948.
Initial construction of the Castle ruins remaining today began in the 13th century. The 14th and
15th centuries saw expansion, followed by construction of reinforcements in the 16th. The
Darmstadt Landgraves acquired the Castle in 1662, which, although neglected in the 18th century,
was saved from further decay in the 1800s.
Some sources maintain Mary Shelley was inspired to write her famous novel "Frankenstein" by a
visit to the castle. Nowadays, every year at the end of October and beginning of November,
Frankenstein Castle "is haunted". Monsters emerge from their hiding-places between the misty
rocks. Thousands enjoy the frightful shivers of "Halloween", a professional monster show.
The seats of the Castle cafe offer a far-reaching view over the Rhine-Main plain to the cities of
Worms, Oppenheim, Mainz and Frankfurt.
The Castle is directly accessible by car by a winding road that branches off from the B 426. Public
transport also brings tourists to the "Frankenstein" stop at the foot of the mountain, from where a
walk of about half an hour leads to the Castle.
Messel Pit
The Messel Pit is a disused quarry near the village of Messel, about 4 km southeast of GSI (app.
10 km by car). Bituminous shale was mined there. Because of its abundance of fossils, it has
significant geological and scientific importance. The Messel Pit was declared a UNESCO World
Heritage site on December 9, 1995.
Opening hours info center: 11:00 – 16:00 h (March 31 – October 31)
Short tours (1 h) on Sat, Sun and holidays at 12:00, 13:30, 15:00 und 16:30 during the season
(7 € / pers., children free). Registration not obligatory, but advisable. Other tours and dates are
available on request. � 06159-717535; www.grube-messel.de/ (web-site only in German and not
very user-friendly)
5.4 Museums
“Hessisches Landesmuseum” (museum of the state of Hessen)
Friedensplatz 1, � 06151-165703
The museum, planned and constructed by Alfred Messel in 1902, houses interesting collections
from various fields of knowledge, i.e. history of art, cultural history, geology, mineralogy and
zoology. Special attractions are the medieval altar pieces, the glass paintings, and the Art Nouveau
department. Works of modern art are arranged around a collection of 300 pieces by Joseph Beuys.
Opening hours Tu–Sa 10–17 h; Wed 10–20 h; Sun 11-17 h. Admission fee: 4 €, after 16 h free;
www.hlmd.de/
Transport link: many busses and tram lines via "Willy-Brandt-Platz" or “Luisenplatz”.
Special note: Because of renovation works the museum will be complety closed for an indefinite
time beginning September 30, 2007.
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