Darmstadt

Darmstadt, a town of Germany, capital of the grand-duchy of Hesse-Darmstadt, is situated on the small river Darm, 15 miles S. of Frankfort-on-Main. The streets of the old town are narrow, but those of the new town exhibit many imposing specimens of architecture. Darmstadt has several public squares, and fine public gardens and promenades. Besides the arsenal, the barracks, and the various religious edifices, it possesses two palaces. One of these, the old ducal palace, contains museums of painting, natural history, and archaeology, and a library of 500,000 volumes; in the other, Prince Charles's palace, is Holbein's famous 'Meyer Madonna.' The handsome post-office dates from 1881, the theatre from 1871. There are manufactures of chemicals, hats, machinery, tobacco, playing-cards, carpets, and beer; and a trade in iron, petroleum, fruit, flour, and wine. But the place depends more on its ducal court and government offices than on its industries. Pop., with suburb (1875), 44,088; (1890) 56,399 (including 9038 Catholics, 1498 Jews).