Darmstadt is a city in Hesse, Germany, located a little south of Frankfurt.

Prior to World War II, Darmstadt was the capital of the Grand Duchy of Hesse. The Grand Dukes used to live in what is now the Schloß Marktplatz. It is also the birth place of the last Empress of Russia, Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna Romanov, who was born as Princess Alix Viktoria Helena Luise Beatrice of Hesse and by Rhine. Sadly, much of the old city was destroyed in carpet bombing by the Allies during World War II, and most of what is still standing was reconstructed after the war. Darmstadt also lost its status as the capital of Hesse after the war, the honour now lying with the nearby city of Wiesbaden.

The popular recreational drug Ecstasy was first synthesised in Darmstadt in 1912 by a chemist known as Anton Kollisch while he was working for the pharmaceutical company Merck.

The ProRegio Darmstadt tourist office is located at Im Carree 4a, on the second floor.

Local Attractions:

• Darmstadt is famous for its Jugendstil (art nouveau) buildings. Many of the buildings survived the massive destruction of Darmstadt in September 1944. Visit the Künstlerkolonie Mathildenhöhe, to see the most interesting ones. This is the most beautiful part of Darmstadt. There is also a small park and an art museum there. 
• Darmstadt's landmark is the Langer Ludwig, a statue on a huge sandstone column located right in the city center. When you visit Darmstadt, you can't avoid it. On the first Saturday of every month (and during special events) it is open for the public, meaning that you can climb the column (through a stair located on the inside) and get a beautiful view over Darmstadt. 
• The huge Hundertwasser house called "Waldspirale" ("Forest Spiral") was finished in 2000. It is a wonderful example for Friedensreich Hundertwasser's (the famous Austrian architect and painter) colourful architectural designs.
• The original Castle Frankenstein is located near Darmstadt in Mühltal. The Castle is first mentioned in the records in the year 948, and 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. It was owned by the Barons von Frankenstein who owned most of the surrounding land until 1662 in which the Baron of that time sold the property to the Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt. A story about the castle served as the inspiration for the Mary Shelley novel, Frankenstein, after she visited the castle in 1814.
• A nice baroque garden is the Orangerie. The garden with several fountains is located in the south of Darmstadt in the heart of Bessungen. In the summer people are playing boule or just relaxing in the grass. To get there take the tram number 3 and exit at the station Orangerie. 

Festivals and regular events:

• Heinerfest - Held once a year at the end of June/beginning of July (2007:June 28–July 2). The Festival occupies the whole inner city for 4–5 days. It is the largest "Inner City Festival" of Germany. 
• Schloßgrabenfest -  An annual music festival (usually in May) in the city center. The dates for 2008 are May 29 – June 1. Entry is free. 
• Frühstückstreff Darmstadt - A monthly breakfast club meeting. Entry is free. 

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