STUTTGART
Sightseeing

History   I   Sightseeing   I   Practical   I  Hotels in Stuttgart  

Since 1926 , the silver star of the Daimler-Benz works dominates the sky of the capital of the Land Baden-Würtenberg (about 600.000 inhabitants). The city of Stuttgart lies in a valley surrounded by hills covered with woods. In between are orchards and vineyards. The sometimes cobble-stoned streets of the city climb upwards and are bordered with stairs.
A nice sightseeing tour in Stuttgart starts at Schlossplatz. At the centre of the square stands the Jubiläumssäule (Jubilee Colum) which was erected in 1842-1846 to celebrate the 25-year reign of Wilhelm I. On the eastern side stands the "Neues Schloss" (New Castle) which was built in various stages from 1746 until 1807.It is now the Ministry of Culture and Finance.

Alongside the Königstrasse one reaches the Schlossgarten (Palace garden) which lie north of the " Neues Schloss". They were created in the beginning of the 19th century. Amidst the beautiful lanes and sculptures that decorate the park  is the Carl Zeiss-planetarium which runs an excellent science programme with equipment made by the famous local optics company Zeiss.

Also, at the edge of the park the Würtembergisches Staatstheater (Würtemberger State Theater) invites the visitor to attend a performance. A bit further down is Stuttgart's main museum, the Staatsgalerie. This museum ranks among the finest in Germany. It grew from the museum of fine arts founded in 1843 by King Wilhelm I to contain his private collection.

From here the visitor can return via Konrad-Adenauer strasse, towards Karlsplatz and then to Schillerplatz. It is certainly one of the most beautiful and charming parts of the city. Legend has it that the stud farm which gave the city its name was located here. On the Schillerplatz is the "Altes Schloss" (Old Castle) which dates from the 16th century. The old version of this castle was renovated and turned into a large-scale Renaissance project by Aberlin Tresch from 1553 to 1578. The southwestern wing contains the Schlosskapelle (Chapel), the first sacral building in Stuttgart built especially for the Protestants. The castle now is the seat of the Würtembergisches Landesmuseum (Museum of the Land Würtemberg).

Further down is the Marktplatz (Market square) where Stuttgart's beautiful Town Hall is situated and nearby, the Eberhardstrasse leads to the Hegelhaus.On the 27th of august 1770, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel was born. Hegel was the creator of one of the most important modern philosophical systems. The house is now a museum. Town Hall is situated and nearby, the Eberhardstrasse leads to the Hegelhaus.On the 27th of august 1770, Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel was born. Hegel was the creator of one of the most important modern philosophical systems. The house is now a museum.

Afficionados of the automobile will adore Stuttgart. Two reasons : the Porsche-Museum and the Mercedes-Benz Museum are located here.