The city is a stage on which we perform theater every day, preferably on the street, most of all "in the square." Those who thought that the significance of public urban space would fade with the triumphant rise of virtual data spaces are thoroughly mistaken… An exploration tour of urban squares.

Meeting point: 65185 Wiesbaden, Luisenplatz, Obelisk, at the Waterloo Monument

Duration/Length: approx. 3.0 h / approx. 3.5 km

Contribution: Adults: 22€ | Children 6-12 years: 5€

Registration deadline: until the day before

Category: Architectural tour

About the architectural tour

The city is a stage on which we perform theater every day, preferably on the street, most of all "in the square." Those who thought that the significance of public urban space would fade with the triumphant rise of virtual data spaces are thoroughly mistaken: Even people who are at home in digital media want to experience something "outside," seek the crowd, face-to-face encounters on site, and socializing in the square. But why is it that architects and urban planners so rarely succeed in creating suitable spaces for this?

Why, for example, doesn't Luisenplatz work as well? Certainly, it is beautiful, moderate, and of classical design; in addition, it is centrally located, easily accessible, and spatially enclosed. But - it lacks the "strong edges": the shops and restaurants that bring a square to life. Just like Mauritiusplatz, which gives the passerby the feeling of standing in the middle of the city. Or like Schlossplatz: the Town Hall, State Parliament, and Market Church demonstrate that a square doesn't have to be stylistically uniform to function. The buildings, despite their differences, form a vital urban ensemble.

You can't say that about the neighbors: The Dern'sche Geläuft is a barren area that has lost its clear square edges, and Kaiser-Friedrich-Platz (the former Theaterplatz, see title photo) is a victim of post-war construction: On the south side, the apartment building "Vier Jahreszeiten" turns its cold shoulder, and to the west, it lacks the framing by façades. You only have to look over at the Bowling Green opposite to see how it's done: The Kurhaus and colonnades embrace the square like a forum and give it its unmistakable character. 

With Christopher Schwarz, jury member of the German Architecture Prize.

Or would you rather join our other architectural tour: about the architecture of arrival and entry?