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SouthWest Germany's Cities between Tradition and Modernity

Schlossillumination in Karlsruhe
Youthful Charm Paired with Proud Heritage

Ancient meets Modern

Youthful Charm Paired with Proud Heritage

Every city in Southwest Germany, the German federal state of Baden-Württemberg, has a unique tale to tell. Some boast a youthful charm, others are proud of their heritage. With their architecture, culture and inventiveness, the region’s nine so-called independent cities create a rich and diverse tapestry. And here in Germany’s sunniest region, each is determined to preserve the past, while offering a better future for its citizens.

Stuttgart

1# Poetry in Motion

Stuttgart

Viele historische Rennautos von Mercedes Benz stehen als Ausstellungsstücke in einer Reihe.
Many historic racing cars can be admired in the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart. | © Daimler AG
Schillerplatz in Stuttgart
Grand palces like the Schillerplatz form the historic heart of Stuttgart. | © Stuttgart Marketing GmbH, Martina Denker

With its world-famous car manufacturers Porsche and Mercedes, Stuttgart is often seen as a modern city. But the capital of SouthWest Germany also has a historic heart, with grand palaces and handsome churches. In the centre is Schillerplatz (Schiller Square), which stands on the spot that gives the city its name: the Stutengarten or stud farm. High on a plinth, a statue of poet Friedrich Schiller has stood since 1839. He admires the displays at the Flower Market on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings. He surveys the colourful stalls at the annual wine festival at the end of August. What does he enjoy most? Most likely, the fun and bustle of one of Europe’s oldest, largest and best Christmas markets from late November to Christmas Eve.

Heidelberg

2# Romantic past; leading-edge present

Heidelberg

Panoramaansicht von Heidelbert mit Alter Brücke und Schloss
With its world-famous castle and old town, Heidelberg is seen as the epitome of romanticism in Germany. | © TMBW, Achim Mende
© Heidelberg Marketing GmbH
The new Heidelberg Congress Center will open in 2023. | © Heidelberg Marketing GmbH

With its ruined castle high above the Neckar River and atmospheric Old Town below, Heidelberg is often pigeonholed as the cradle of the German romantic movement. But it is also a hotspot for science. Germany's first university was founded here in 1386 and research was – and still is – a pillar of academic and city life. Today, the site of a former railway station is the new Bahnstadt district, a base for biotech and other high-tech companies. In 2023, the striking new Heidelberg Congress Center (HCC) will open for conferences. And, reflecting the motto 'Business by day; romantic at night', the century-old civic centre is the perfect place for evening receptions in the heart of the city. Ninety minutes northwest of Stuttgart. 

Schloss_Alte Brücke

Heidelberg

View on the Old Town an Old Bridge 

Old town Heidelberg

Old Town Heidelberg

Alte Brücke Schlosshintergrund

Castle Heidelberg

Heidelberg Castle

Heidelberg_Alte-Brücke-und-Schloss

Bridge / viaduct

Old Bridge

Baden-Baden

3# Special Then; Special Now

Baden-Baden

Für Entspannung pur sorgen im Friedrichsbad Baden-Baden 17 aufeinander abgestimmte Wohlfühlstationen.
Built in the 19th century in the Renaissance style, the Friedrichsbad is one of Baden-Baden's famous attractions. | © Baden-Baden Kur& Tourismus GmbH
Pokerface aufgesetzt und hereinspaziert: Das prunkvolle Casino im Kurhaus Baden-Baden lädt dazu ein, sich selbst an den Spieltisch zu wagen.
The casino in the Kurhaus in Baden-Baden is one of the most traditional and best-known casinos in Europe. | © Baden-Baden Kur & Tourismus GmbH
Als Herzstück der Stadt Baden-Baden führt kein Weg an ihm vorbei: Das Kurhaus begeistert Gäste bereits seit dem 18ten Jahrhundert mit seinen umfangreichen Erlebnis-Angeboten.
The Kurhaus has been delighting guests with its extensive range of events since the 18th century. | © Baden-Baden Kur & Tourismus GmbH

Playing on Baden-Baden’s double-barrelled name, this sophisticated city on the edge of the Black Forest has a witty slogan: “The good-good life.” In 2021, it was given UNESCO World Heritage status as one of the 'Important Spa Towns in Europe'. It was known as Aquae to the Romans, who came for the soothing, healing power of the 12 thermal springs. From 1700 onwards, Europe’s aristocracy flocked here to 'take the waters' and Baden-Baden became the 'summer capital of Europe'.  Today, that tradition continues, with unique spa experiences and elegant gardens, plus grand buildings, such as the stylish Kurhaus cultural centre, the casino, Germany’s largest opera house and world-class art museums. No city offers so much glamour and style, all conveniently close together. Ninety minutes west of Stuttgart.

Kurhaus Baden-Baden

Baden-Baden

“THE BELLE ÉPOQUE MEETS THE AGE OF INSTAGRAM” is the headline the New York Times recently used to describe Baden-Baden – and it’s certainly …
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Thermal bath Baden-Baden

Friedrichsbad Spa

Event location Baden-Baden

Casino Baden-Baden

Kurhaus

Event location Baden-Baden

Kurhaus Baden-Baden

Ulm

4# Formative History

Ulm

Blick auf das historische Rathaus in Ulm. Davor ist der Marktplatz mit einer Gaststätte. Die Menschen sitzen unter gelben Sonnenschirmen.
In Ulm, historical structures and modern architecture harmonize perfectly. | © Lorenz Bee
Das Ulmer Münster bildet einen markanten Kontrast zum weißen Stadthaus.
Old and new: The Ulm Minster and the Stadthaus are directly next to each other. | © Jochen Tack
© Sabrina Braunwarth
The 'Nabada' is the highlight of 'Oath Monday', which was named an Intangible UNESCO World Heritage in 2021. | © Sabrina Braunwarth

Before the Second World War, Ulm’s cityscape boasted a centuries-old architectural culture, with distinctive, primarily Gothic and Renaissance landmarks. The medieval Old Town was one of southern Germany’s largest. Air raids destroyed most of Ulm in 1944, yet the city at the Danube, which today has 130,000 inhabitants, has recovered in the best possible way. Now historical structures such as the Minster, the town hall and the federal fortress harmonize with modern structures like the glass library, the Stadthaus and the buildings in the award-winning 'Neue Mitte'. 

In July, the citizens of Ulm celebrate Oath Monday, a unique ceremony that dates back to the 14th century. After the mayor gave is obligatory speech, the ringing of the Oath Bell is followed by the mayor’s vow to 'serve rich and poor alike'. Then the 'Nabada' starts. With themed, decorated boats and live music, it is like a carnival procession floating down the Danube. This ancient tradition was named by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2021. Ninety minutes southeast of Stuttgart.

Ulm Stadthaus

Ulm

These people from Ulm are very brave: the white townhouse stands opposite the Ulm minster, the historic town hall is joined by the glass building of …
Ulmer Münster

Church Ulm

Ulmer Münster

2022 NU Donaublick c DietmarDenger 5

Riverside facility / Promenade Ulm

Ulm and the Danube

UL_NeueMitte_2013_ARC

Famous building Ulm

Ulm New Centre (Neue Mitte Ulm)

Rathaus Ulm

Famous building Ulm

Ulm Town Hall

Freiburg

5# Green City

Freiburg

Blick auf die moderne Unibibliothek in Freiburg. Davor stehen Bäume.
The university library in Freiburg is a modern and energy-efficient building.  | © Jochen Tack
Blick über das Freiburger Münster auf den Münsterplatz und die 'Alte Wache'.
The city of Freiburg is surrounded by vineyards and is located in the idyllic Black Forest.

Green, greener, greenest. That’s Freiburg, the historic city between vineyards and the Black Forest. Back in the 1970s, locals protested against plans to build a nearby nuclear power plant. They kick-started an ecological revolution. And that green revolution is now a way of life in Freiburg, with numerous initiatives. In 2010, Environmental Action Germany named Freiburg the “Federal Capital for Climate Protection”. Germany's southernmost city is still an example of sustainability. Stay in a comfortable climate-neutral hotel or guesthouse; use the GreenCityMap to explore exciting green initiatives. Particularly impressive is the Heliotrop, the world’s first plus-energy house, producing three times more energy than it uses. Stroll through the Vauban district: dating back to the 1990s, this is a model of sustainable urban development, with its green hotel, green spaces and low traffic. Two hours southwest of Stuttgart.

Heliotrop_Freiburg_9_Copyright Rolf Disch

Famous building Freiburg im Breisgau

Heliotrop

Freiburg_Unibibliothek_Copyright FWTM-Achim Müller (1)

Famous building Freiburg

Universitätsbibliothek (University library)

Karlsruhe

6# Cradle of modern media communication

Karlsruhe

Ein viereckiges Museumsgebäude ist blau beleuchtet. Davor stehen viele Menschen.
The Centre for Art and Media (ZKM) in Karlsruhe is a globally unique cultural institution. | © Uli Deck
Schlossillumination in Karlsruhe
Karlsruhe is seen as the cradle of modern media communication in SouthWest Germany. | © KME, ARTIS - Uli Deck

Not every city in SouthWest Germany has medieval roots: Karlsruhe was planned and built in 1715. It was the brainchild of Karl, Margrave of Baden-Durlach, who wanted a city that was 'open in structure and spirit'. Nicknamed the Fan City, because the main avenues fan out from the palace, Karlsruhe retains that creative open-mindedness, especially on the global art and culture scene. The ZKM (Center for Art and Media Karlsruhe) was recently ranked among the world’s top five museums by ArtsFacts.net. In 2019, UNESCO named Karlsruhe as a “City of Media Arts”, adding it to its “Creative Cities Network”. And in the funky Alter Schlachthof district, 19th-century industrial buildings now house start-ups, performance venues, nightspots and restaurants. One hour west of Stuttgart.

Karlsruhe Palace Fountain Joachim Mende

Castle Karlsruhe

Karlsruhe Palace

Special museum Karlsruhe

ZKM | Center for Art and Media

Mannheim

7# The City of Squares

Mannheim

© Stadtmarketing Mannheim Gmbh, Achim Mende
The palace in Mannheim is Europe's second-largest Baroque palace. | © Stadtmarketing Mannheim Gmbh, Achim Mende
Seebühnenzauber im Luisenpark © Stadtmarketing Mannheim GmbH / Fernando Fath
In 2023, the German national garden show will take place in Mannheim's Luisenpark and Spinellipark. | © Stadtmarketing Mannheim GmbH / Fernando Fath

Mannheim² (Mannheim squared) is the apt slogan for this city, which was designed and built in 1606. Elector Friedrich IV of the Palatinate ordered his planners to follow the then-fashionable Renaissance ideals. Their creation, a checkerboard pattern with 144 squares, remains today. Everything is logical: streets are in a grid; addresses have letters and numbers, such as E4, 6. At the heart of it all is Europe’s second-largest Baroque palace. With six wings and hundreds of windows, this glorious building is now home to what is, arguably, Germany’s most beautiful university. Two hours northwest of Stuttgart.

In 2023, the German national garden show (BUGA) will be taking place in Mannheim from April through to October.

Mannheim_Barockschloss_©Stadtmarketing Mannheim GmbH_Achim Mende_105

Event location Mannheim

Mannheim Baroque Palace

230619 Neue Parkmitte Luisenpark BUGA 23 Lukac Diehl 1 scaled

Park Mannheim

Luisenpark

Heilbronn

8# Kissed by Wine

Heilbronn

Blick vom Wartberg über Weinreben auf Heilbronn mit Wandernden auf dem Wein Panorama Weg
Heilbronn: Where Riesling and Lemberger flow. | © TMBW, Düpper
Auszeit in den Reben auf dem Wartberg bei Heilbronn.
Heilbronn country is Germany's largest red wine region. | © Susanne Maier

Set on the Neckar River, Heilbronn is the oldest wine town in Württemberg. The grape-growing and wine-making tradition stretches back 1,250 years, and the surrounding vineyards cover the equivalent of 700 football fields. This is the centre of Germany’s largest red wine region, producing local favourites Lemberger, Samtrot and Trollinger. As for white wine, the southwest-facing slopes overlooking Heilbronn are renowned for Riesling. The best time to visit? During any of the wine festivals, especially the 10-day Wine Village in September, when 400 different wines are on display for tasting! One hour north of Stuttgart. 

experimenta Heilbronn | HeilbronnerLand

Science museum Heilbronn

experimenta – Science centre for the Heilbronn-Franken region

Weinlandschaft-Wartberg

Mountain Heilbronn

Wartberg (mountain)

Pforzheim

9# From a river crossing to a big city

Pforzheim

Innenaufnahme des Archäologischen Landesmuseum in Pforzheim. An den Wänden stehen verschiedene Ausstellungsstücke und Skulpturen.
Pforzheim war in der Zeit der Römer Knotenpunkt für mehrere Militärstraßen. | © Archäologisches Landesmuseum, Sebastian Seibel
© Sebastian Seibel
In the Archaeological Museum in Pforzheim, visitors can iscover remains of Roman heating systems, kitchens, latrines and wells that are 1,800 years old. | © Sebastian Seibel

One of the oldest settlements in SouthWest Germany, Pforzheim gets its name from the Latin 'portus' or river crossing. The Romans, who arrived in 90 AD, settled at the ford across the Enz River and built one of their famous roads to link Cannstatt and Strasbourg. Discover more in Pforzheim’s fine Archaeological Museum, which has remains of Roman heating systems, kitchens, latrines and wells dating back 1,800 years. The nearby Villa Rustica estate, has one of the region’s best-preserved Roman complexes, with impressive Roman foundation walls. The recently-created Römerweg/Roman Way leads to the site and helps to bring the city's Roman past to life. One hour west of Stuttgart.

Pforzheim, city of three rivers

Pforzheim

Pforzheim is the gold piece of the Black Forest. The city is versatile, diverse and a beauty at second sight, which has a lot of variety to offer for …
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Inside the Archaeological Museum

History museum Pforzheim

Archaeological Museum

Villa Rustica in the relaxing forest

Historical site Pforzheim

Roman farm - Villa Rustica

Golden stones adorn the river Enz in Pforzheim

River Pforzheim

Enz

SouthWest Germany's Cities

Overview

SouthWest Germany's Cities

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