Mitte - City center

At a first glance, I found it a bit dull in its city center because of the modern buildings that arose after the bombings - totally 35 bombings took place during WWII between 1940 and 1944, but its citizens where extremely helpful when asking for directions and there are some nice historic buildings, such as the Ducal Palace, and parks in the center. It is very busy in the city center, especially at Luisenplatz, with a lot of people going anywhere in this very populated German region. There are many immigrants and independent people in Darmstadt. In Darmstadt you can find such diverse architecture stylesas modernism, baroque, jugend and deconstructivism.

Luisenplatz, the largest square and center of the city. A major transport hub for trams and buses. It is a bit dangerous place to dwell, as it is hard to know where a tram
Ludwigsäule, a 33m tall red stone column right at Luisenplatz that was erected in 1944 commemorating Ludwig I, grand duke of Hesse.

Luisen Center, a shopping galleria.

Looking towards St Ludwigs Church at Wilhelminenstrasse.

Rheinstrasse from Luisenplatz.

The Ducal Palace (Schloss) was the residence of the counts of Hesse-Darmstadt, later as Grand Dukes of Hesse by the grace of Napoleon. Its current look was
established in the 18th century. The counts also owned the so called Castle Frankenstein on the Langenberg above the city, that inspired Mary Shelley on her novel.

The tunnel leading to the palace.

The courtyard of the castle/ducal palace.

There is a sign to the left that says "Bike parking forbidden"!

Ernst-Ludwigs-platz. Der Weisse Turm, the white tower, had a photo exhibition. The large department store is Galeria Kaufhof, that can be found in larger German cities.

Der Weisse Turm is 40m tall.

Marktplatz with Altes Rathaus in the background. The building to the left is one of the few older buildings left unfortunately hidden, behind scaffolds.

Friedensplatz with Hessian Landemsmuseum and another Ludwig I statue.

Friedensplatz with Haus der Geschichte. The former theater fro 1819 is now a Hessian museum.

Friendensplatz with Hessian Landemsmuseum and Haus der Geschichte.

The former moat at the ducal palace.

Darmstadtium Congress Center, a striking modern building in deconstructivist style. It was built in 2007 and is impressive inside.

Around Ernst-Ludwigs-platz.

St Elisabeth Kirche, the tallest church in Darmstadt. A catholic church. Unfortunately I didn't go close to the church, I only saw it from the tram.