Darmstadt: Home to science and engineering exellence

Always cutting-edge, Darmstadt has been a haven for scientists and artists for centuries. Today, it is home to some of the nation's top science and engineering schools, unique architecture and a cozy pre-war artists' colony. Can you resist the lure of studying in the city that quite probably inspired the creation of Frankenstein?

Darmstadt introduced

Waldspirale, Photo: Svenja Hotop Home to top researchers, musicians, engineers and artists for centuries, today's Darmstadt is the product of a unique fusion between artistic traditions and technological advancement. Here, chemists and aerospace engineers coexist with artists and architects. Futuristic centers of scientific research share the skyline with traditional buildings and turn-of-the-last-century architectural marvels. Grassy parks sit between busy streets.
Little wonder, then, that anyone can comfortably be at home in this city of 140,000 near Heidelberg. Artists flock to Darmstadt for training in design, to marvel at the Waldspiral (one of Germany's most unusual modern architectural designs) and to find inspiration in Mathildenhöhe, an artist's colony that dates back to before World War I.
Those more turned on by science will be equally at home in Darmstadt, which prides itself on being the 'City of Science'. Pharmaceutical and chemical giant Merck KGaA got its start here in 1668, when Friedrich Jacob Merck bought Engel-Apotheke, a local pharmacy. His ancestors first dipped their toes into industrial production in 1827 and took the company public in 1995. Today, 'German Merck', as it is sometimes called, has annual sales of 6.2 billion per year and a yearly research budget for its Merck Serono pharmaceuticals division of more than 1 billion.

Overview of the universities

Darmstadt University of Technology
With over 17,000 students, Darmstadt University of Technology is renowned for its strong engineering, chemistry and computer science programs. Over 14% of everyone enrolled is an international student, and TU Darmstadt, as it's known, has academic partnerships with more than 65 post-secondary institutions around the world. TU Darmstadt's strengths in chemistry and medical engineering lead local employers to snap up the university's graduates every year.

Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences
Founded in 1971, Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences - or h_da, as it brands itself, from the German 'Hochschule Darmstadt' - works hand-in-hand with local businesses and research partners to train its 11,000 students on the cutting edge of engineering and computer science. h_da boasts international exchange students drawn from more than 100 institutions abroad and is a leading producer of talent for high-tech firms.

Private University of Applied Sciences
Just 10 years old, the Private University of Applied Sciences has quickly grown to become the biggest private school of its kind in Germany: Over 3,500 students are now enrolled.

Protestant University of Applied Sciences
This state-recognized independent university was founded in 1979. The 1,200-student university is supported by the Protestant Church of Hesse and Nassau and offers courses in areas including parish work and social work.

What Darmstadt is like

Melanie

Melanie Barisic is a graphic design student from Heidelberg.

Why did you pick Darmstadt for your studies?

I chose the University of Applied Sciences for my classes because there were no similar programs in my home city. Darmstadt really offers a veritable buffet of courses from which to choose. I like that my professors combine seminar-style lectures with hands-on practical experience. They act as guides, but they let the students develop their own styles. And I just love Darmstadt's student-friendly atmosphere. It's such a student city, and we like to visit nearby Frankfurt on weekends.

What are your favorite places?

Mathildenhöhe, Photo: Amt für Wirtschaft und Stadtentwicklung Darmstadt Darmstadt has many parks which are great places to study, read and simply relax, but my favorite place on sunny days is Mathildenhöhe. This artists' colony is where early twentieth-century artists and architects developed Jugendstil, Germany's Art Nouveau style. The artists designed and built their own living quarters and other structures in the area. The lush lawns, beautiful landscapes and uncommon architecture make the spot popular with students searching for artistic inspiration.

Did you know?

Darmstadt's claim to be the 'City of Science' is pretty clear, but what about it being the 'City of Science Fiction'? Nearby Frankenstein Castle, just outside the city limits, is thought to be the edifice that inspired Mary Shelley to write the novel Frankenstein after a tour through the region that included a stop in Eberstadt, today a suburb of Darmstadt. Still resting atop their hill, the castle's ruins offer a stunning view down on Darmstadt proper.

Things to check out

Head down to Luisenplatz, a center of the Old City, which has been transformed into a bustling downtown square. Restaurants, shopping centers, street vendors and museums abound in this area. Luisenplatz's central location near the universities, theaters and historic buildings makes it a great starting point for any visit to Darmstadt.
Darmstadt shows off its love of architectural innovation in one of Germany's most intriguing buildings: The Waldspiral. Built between 1998 and 2000 and designed by famous architect Hundertwasser, the Waldspiral is one of Darmstadt's most unique modern works of art. Reaching twelve stories at its highest point, the slanted building spirals around its main tower. Waldspiral's onion-shaped domes and vibrant stucco designs give it a unique charm. A roof covered entirely with trees completes the building's quirky facade.
Darmstadtium, Photo: Amt für Wirtschaft und Stadtentwicklung Darmstadt The Darmstadtium Center for Science and Congresses is an eye-catching glass and metal convention center that hosts seminars, trade shows, lectures and other scientific gatherings to encourage innovation and discovery. Surrounded by TU Darmstadt's campus, the Darmstadtium can host thousands of visitors at a time.

What's happening?

If you happen to be in Darmstadt around Halloween, you're in for a real scare: At that time of year, Frankenstein Castle is haunted by ghosts, monsters and other eerie apparitions. No worries, though. These spooky creatures are professional actors recruited to lure in the tourists and give local kids a spot of fun.