WIESBADEN
History
History I
Sightseeing I
Practical I Hotels in Wiesbaden
Wiesbaden is one of the oldest cities along the Rhein and has, due to
its location as the gate to the middle part of Germany, been a crossing
point of trade-roads. Although some hotels and bath houses were bombed
during World War II, most buildings in Wiesbaden remained untouched.
Because so few buildings were destroyed, the ornate architecture found
in Wiesbaden is seldom seen in other German cities, making Wiesbaden one
of the most beautiful cities in Germany. Many
splendid examples of outstanding architecture from both Roman and
subsequent eras remain, as well as wine cellars that date from the Roman
period.
Somewhere between 828 and 830, Einhard mentions
wisabada. This is the first time that the name Wiesbaden is used.
The site, however, originated as a Celtic settlement in the 3d cent.
B.C. In the year 6 A.D the area
came under Roman control with the construction of a roman fortress. Very
soon the Romans came to the area to profit from the spas. The thermal
springs of Wiesbaden were first mentioned in Pliny the Younger's
Naturalis historia. The Roman settlement is first mentioned by the name
Aquae Mattiacorum in 121AD. This name makes
reference
to the Chattian tribe of the Mattiaker who were living in this area.
The Alamanni captured the fort in the year 259/260. During the 6th
century the Franks displaced the Alamanni. In the 8th century the Franks
built a royal yard (Königshof, curtis regia). In the 1170s the Dukes of
Nassau receive the area around Wiesbaden as fiefdom. They ruled until in 1242 the archbishop conquered Wiesbaden
and burned it down. Wiesbaden returns to the house of Nassau in 1270. In
1329 the house of Nassau and Wiesbaden receive the right of
coinage from Louis the Bavarian.
Due to peasant risings. Wiesbaden lost all its privileges in 1525 for
over fourty years. During this time, Wiesbaden builds a new vineyard in
1526, becomes protestant with the nomination of Wolf Denthener as
first lutheran priest on January 1, 1543. The same day the first latin
school was opened, preparing pupils for the gymnasium in Idstein.
1566 the privileges of the city are restored.
The oldest building of the town, the Old City Hall, was built from
1609-1610. No older buildings are preserved due to two fires in 1547 and
1561.
Wiesbaden's most famous benefactor was
Kaiser Wilhelm II. He used his own money to supplement the operations of
the "Royal Opera." Following Kaiser Wilhelm's lead, the European
aristocracy began to increase its patronage of Wiesbaden's spas,
theatre, and social activities.
When the Air Force was established as a separate branch of service in
1947, Wiesbaden was selected as the site of the Air Force Headquarters
in Europe, serving in that role until 1975.
