Schwalheim in Bad Nauheim in Wetteraukreis, Hesse, Germany — Central Europe
Die (Bad) Nauheimer Spielbank
⎯⎯⎯
The Bad Nauheim Casino
| — | Historischer Rundgang - Bad und Jugendstil | — |
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 22, 2024
1. Die (Bad) Nauheimer Spielbank / The Bad Nauheim Casino Marker
Neben dem Roulettesaal beherbergte das Gebäude Lesekabinette sowie einen Konzert- und einen Tanzsaal und erweiterte so das Angebot an Unterhaltungsmöglichkeiten. Ende 1864 zog die Spielbank in die repräsentativen Räumlichkeiten des neuen Kurhauses um. Bad Nauheims Spielbankära endete jedoch schon 1872, als im neuen deutschen Kaiserreich sämtliche Spielbanken schließen mussten. Der Holzbau wurde 1881 abgebrochen.
Ein Großteil der Nauheimer Bürger stand der Spielbank von Anfang an ablehnend gegenüber. Der erste Badearzt Dr. Bode beklagte das Treiben "des leichtlebigen Spielervolks, vor allem der luxuriösen und verschwenderischen Pariser Halbwelt" mit seinen schädlichen Wirkungen für den Kurbetrieb. Auch erfüllte sich die Erwartung nicht, die Spielbank werde zu einem schnellen Anwachsen der Kurgastzahlen führen. Andererseits profitierte der von der kurfürstlichen Regierung in Kassel
this page online
In the same year that Nauheim was elevated to city status (1854), the Frenchman Jacques Viali opened a casino in the young spa town in a simple wooden building on the site between Parkstrasse and today's Dankeskirche.
In addition to the roulette room, the building housed reading rooms as well as a concert hall and a dance hall, thus expanding the range of entertainment options. At the end of 1864, the casino moved into the prestigious premises of the new spa house. Bad Nauheim's casino era ended in 1872, however, when all casinos in the new German Empire had to close. The wooden building was demolished in 1881.
A large proportion of Nauheim's citizens were opposed to the casino from the outset. The first spa doctor, Dr. Bode, complained about the activities of "the frivolous gambling people, especially the luxurious and wasteful Parisian demimonde" and its damaging effects on the spa business. The expectation that the casino would lead to a rapid increase in the number of spa guests was also not fulfilled.
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, May 22, 2024
2. The Bad Nauheim Casino Marker - wide view
… with the Dankeskirche on the left, and Parkstrasse on the right, standing roughly at the former casino location.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1864.
Location. 50° 21.916′ N, 8° 44.498′ E. Marker is in Bad Nauheim, Hessen (Hesse), in Wetteraukreis. It is in Schwalheim. It is on Parkstraße east of Kurstraße, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bad Nauheim HE 61231, Germany. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, Central Europe, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Parkstraße / “Park Street” (within shouting distance of this marker); ”… Wes der Fürst, des der Glaub” / “…Whose Prince, Whose Faith” (about 150 meters away, measured in a direct line); Ludwigstraße / “Ludwig Street” (about 210 meters away); Gegen die Atombewaffnung / Against Nuclear Armament (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Reinhardstraße / “Reinhard Street” (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); Berliner Meilenstein / Berlin Milestone
3. Marker illustration: the Bad Nauheim Casino (no longer extant)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 8, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 8, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 166 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 8, 2025, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
