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Quiet Time: Fewer Distractions. More Inclusion.

Working together for a downtown with less sensory overload, more inclusion, and a more relaxed shopping experience: Starting in July 2025, participating stores and establishments in downtown Wiesbaden will be significantly quieter during certain hours.

Downtown Wiesbaden is a place for people to meet, a place of diversity, and a place for shared experiences.

However, for many people, visiting stores, restaurants, or other establishments can be very stressful—due to factors such as bright lights, loud music and noises, or constant audible signals. This flood of stimuli can be particularly challenging for people with sensory sensitivities, such as those with autism, ADHD, migraines, or long COVID.

Through the “Quiet Hour” initiative, the state capital of Wiesbaden, together with the Hessian Ministry of Labor, Integration, Youth, and Social Affairs and the association gemeinsam zusammen e.V., is taking a stand for greater accessibility and social inclusion. Numerous companies and organizations are participating in the initiative to create a less stimulating environment for people with invisible disabilities.

However, a low-stimulus environment not only makes everyday life and access to the city center easier for people with special sensory needs, but also creates a more pleasant atmosphere for everyone while shopping. This benefits not only customers but also the employees at participating stores.

Wiesbaden thus plays a special role nationwide: The state capital is the first city in Germany to coordinate the “Quiet Hour” citywide and implement it in collaboration with partners from various sectors.

Everyone should have the opportunity to participate in public life - regardless of individual needs or limitations.

Lord Mayor Gert-Uwe Mende, patron of the project

Measures in the "quiet hour"

At participating stores, things are noticeably quieter at certain times—usually on Thursdays from 3 to 5 p.m.: 

  • Dimmed lighting reduces harsh visual stimuli
  • Background music is turned down or turned off entirely.
  • Announcements over the loudspeaker are avoided whenever possible.
  • There are quiet zones or one-on-one consultation appointments—tailored to what’s feasible

Participating partners

Museums

Thursdays from 3 to 5 p.m.

Cafés/Gastronomy

Orangerie Aukamm, Weinreb 23, www.orangerie-aukamm.de (opens in a new tab)
Wednesdays from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Institutions

  • Antenne Wiesbaden “The
    Quiet Hour on the Radio”

    Mondays through Thursdays from 8 to 9 p.m.


    www.antenne-wiesbaden.de (opens in a new tab)- A deliberately low-stimulus listening experience featuring music with a sensitive and relaxed soundscape
    —calm hosting
    —no traditional jingles, no commercials

  • Evangelical Marktkirche “A
    Church Space of Silence”

    Thursdays from 3 to 5 p.m.


    www.marktkirche-wiesbaden.de (opens in a new tab)- No carillon
    —no ringing of church bells
    —no organ music or choir rehearsals

The company

Thursdays from 3 to 5 p.m.

Wednesdays from 4 to 6 p.m.

By appointment

  • Taxi Stemmler, Phone: 0611 4455635

Become a partner now

Would you also like to get involved? Then send a strong signal for more inclusion and customer proximity! Whether you are a retail store, fashion boutique, optician or supermarket - every establishment can take part and design its own "Silent Hour". Your contacts:

With the launch of the 'Silent Hour', we are focusing on voluntariness, commitment and joint action. I cordially invite all retailers to join this project - as a contribution to living diversity and future-oriented inner city development.

Mayor and Head of Economic Affairs Christiane Hinninger

Documents

Flyer Silent HourPDF-File2,15 MB

Further information

Photo Gallery: The Start of the "Quiet Hour" at Wiesbaden City Hall

The Silent Hour was presented at a press conference on June 25. The photo shows (from left to right): Municipal Inclusion Officer, Andrea Hausy, Lord Mayor Gert-Uwe Mende, State Secretary Manuela Strube from the Ministry of Labor, Integration, Youth and Social Affairs, Rebecca Lefévre, co-founder and project manager of "gemeinsam zusammen e.V.", Janine Marz, Managing Director of Luisenforum, Mayor Christiane Hinninger, Karin Mültin from City Management, Daniela Hill from the Expert Council, Jens Ackermann, Head of City Management and Detlef Berg, Managing Director of Galeria
Silent hour in Wiesbaden
Silent hour in Wiesbaden
Silent hour in Wiesbaden
Silent hour in Wiesbaden
Silent hour in Wiesbaden
Silent hour in Wiesbaden

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