Wiesbaden

Wiesbaden, city in west central Germany at the southern foot of the Taunus Mountains, on the River Rhine, capital of Hesse, near Frankfurt. Famed for its 26 hot mineral springs and mild climate, Wiesbaden is one of the leading watering places of Europe, and tourism is vital to the local economy. The city is also an important transport, wine-trade, and cultural centre and has factories producing chemicals, pharmaceuticals, cement, metal goods, machinery, and textiles. Among places of interest are the former royal and ducal residences; the Kurhaus with its casino and its concert halls; the Colonnade, remains of a Roman wall known as the Heidenmauer (“heathens' wall”); and the Hessian State Theatre.

The Celts founded a settlement on the site of present-day Wiesbaden about the 3rd century bc. In later times it was used as a spa and fortified by the Romans, who called it Aquae Mattiacorum. The name Wisibada (“meadow bath”) came into use in the 9th century. In the 11th century the city became a possession of the Nassau family. In 1242 Wiesbaden was conquered and destroyed by the archbishop of Mainz. Weisbaden served as the capital of the duchy of Nassau from 1806 to 1866, when it passed to Prussia. The city was badly damaged in World War II. It became the capital of Hesse in 1946. Population (1990 estimate) 258,500.