Mathildenhöhe and historic Water Reservoir

“We must build a city, a whole city.” – With this visionary statement, architect Joseph Maria Olbrich shaped an ensemble that made architectural and artistic history. Today a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Mathildenhöhe Darmstadt marks a turning point in architecture and art at the dawn of the 20th century. The tour of the ensemble – including the Studio Building, Exhibition Hall, Artists’ Houses, and park – brings this spirit of innovation to life. Yet the story of this site does not end above ground: beneath the Mathildenhöhe lies a 19th- century technical monument – the historic waterreservoir. Built between 1877 and 1880, it once ensured Darmstadt’s reliable water supply.

Massive brick chambers and vaulted ceilings bear witness to remarkable engineering skill. This combined tour connects visionary architecture with hidden infrastructure, revealing how art, urban planning, and technology together shaped “a whole city.” Important note: Due to the limited accessibility of the water reservoir on Mathildenhöhe, this tour can only be booked on selected dates on request and with a limited number of participants.

The maximum group size is 15 people. An individual meeting point is possible by arrangement.

Please note that the Wasserreservoir on Mathildenhöhe is not barrier-free and is therefore unfortunately not accessible for people with restricted mobility or people in wheelchairs.