Exploring Stuttgart: The Heart Of Bavaria

Stuttgart is the capital of Baden-Württemberg, a state in southwestern Germany. It is the largest city in the state, followed by Mannheim and Karlsruhe.

Baden-Württemberg was formed in 1952 through the merger of South Baden, Württemberg-Baden, and Württemberg-Hohenzollern. These three states were created by the Allies after World War II.

Stuttgart is the sixth-largest city in Germany and is known as the cradle of the automobile. It is home to famous automobile museums, including the Mercedes-Benz and Porsche Museums, as well as numerous auto-enthusiast magazines.

The city is spread across hills, valleys, and parks. It is located on the Neckar River in a fertile valley known as the Stuttgart Cauldron and lies an hour from the Swabian Jura and the Black Forest.

Stuttgart has a strong high-tech industry, particularly in the automotive sector. It is home to several major corporations, including Porsche, Bosch, and Mercedes-Benz Group.

The city has a rich cultural heritage, boasting a renowned State Theatre and State Gallery. It is also known for its Swabian cuisine, beer, and wine.

In terms of administration, Stuttgart is divided into 23 city districts, including five inner districts and 18 outer districts.

So, to answer the question, yes, Stuttgart is in Baden-Württemberg, but it is not in Bavaria.

Stuttgart's history

In the tenth century, Stuttgart was founded by Liudolf, Duke of Swabia, as a stud farm for his warhorses. Initially overshadowed by Bad Cannstatt, the town grew steadily and was granted a charter in 1320. In the 15th century, it became the capital of the Duchy of Württemberg and prospered despite setbacks in the Thirty Years' War and devastating air raids during World War II.

Stuttgart is known as the "cradle of the automobile", being the starting point of the worldwide automotive industry. It is home to famous automobile museums, such as the Mercedes-Benz Museum and Porsche Museum, and automotive companies like Mercedes-Benz Group, Porsche, and Bosch.

Today, Stuttgart is the capital of the German state of Baden-Württemberg and is known for its high-tech industry, especially in the automotive sector. It has a rich cultural heritage, including the State Theatre, State Gallery, and various castles such as the Old Castle and the New Palace.

Stuttgart's economy

Stuttgart, the capital of Baden-Württemberg, is a major economic hub in Germany and is known as the "cradle of the automobile". The city's economy is driven by a mix of large corporations, medium-sized and small companies, startups, and research centres. It is home to several major companies, including Porsche, Bosch, and Mercedes-Benz Group, and has a strong high-tech industry, particularly in the automotive sector.

Stuttgart has the highest general standard of prosperity of any German city, with a nominal GDP per capita of €57,100 and a GDP purchasing power parity (PPP) per capita of €55,400. The service sector contributes around 65.3% to the city's total GDP, while industry accounts for 34.5%, and agriculture makes up 0.2%.

Stuttgart is an important financial centre, boasting the second-largest stock exchange in Germany after Frankfurt. The city is also a hub for the publishing industry and is home to several advertising, marketing, and communication-related firms.

In addition to its economic prowess, Stuttgart also has a rich history in viticulture, with wine-growing dating back to the 12th century. It is the only city in Germany where wine grapes are grown within its urban area.

The Stuttgart Metropolitan Region is the fourth-largest in Germany, with a population of 5.3 million. The city itself has a population of over 600,000, making it the sixth-largest city in the country.

Stuttgart's culture

Stuttgart is Germany's self-proclaimed cultural capital. The city is home to museums, world cultural heritage sites, opera, theatre, ballet, a lively jazz scene, hip-hop, magnificent baroque palaces, and modern architecture.

Museums and Galleries

Stuttgart is known as the "cradle of the automobile", and its museums reflect this. The city is home to famous automobile museums like the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum. The Mercedes-Benz Museum traces the 125-year history of the automobile, from its legendary silver arrow to the modern-day Mercedes-Benz brand. The Porsche Museum has been presenting automotive history and “Fascination Porsche” in an incomparable style since 2009.

Other notable museums include the Staatsgalerie Stuttgart (State Gallery), which boasts one of Europe's finest collections, ranging from Old Masters to edgy contemporary artists; the Kunstmuseum Stuttgart (Museum of Modern Art), housed in a spectacular glass cubicle; the Württemberg State Museum, which offers a stimulating presentation of the history of the state from the Stone Age to the present; and the Linden Museum, one of Europe's leading museums of ethnology, giving fascinating insights into the everyday lives, art, and civilisation history of non-European peoples.

Live Music Venues

Stuttgart has a lively jazz scene, with the Bix Jazz Club being a notable hotspot for jazz enthusiasts since 2006.

Theatre, Opera, and Ballet

Stuttgart is also known for its ballet and opera. The Stuttgart Ballet, now over 50 years old, is ranked among the world's best ensembles. The Staatstheater (State Theatre) is home to the State opera and smaller theatres, regularly staging opera, ballet, and theatre productions, as well as concerts. The Staatsoper Stuttgart is one of Europe's foremost opera houses and is known for providing important impulses for today's music theatre scene.

Architecture

Stuttgart's architecture varies from magnificent baroque palaces to modern buildings. The Weissenhof Estate, built in 1927, is an example of International Style architecture, while the Neues Schloss (New Palace) and Altes Schloss (Old Palace) showcase the baroque style. The city also features modern architectural wonders, such as the Kunstmuseum Stuttgart, a spectacular glass cube that floats above the Small Schlossplatz at night as a fascinating light sculpture.

Food and Wine

Stuttgart's surrounding wine region, one of the largest in Germany, plays a significant part in the local culture. The city is the only one in Germany where wine grapes are grown within its urban area, and it has over 200 acres of vineyards within the city limits. Stuttgart also has several famous breweries, including Stuttgarter Hofbräu, Dinkelacker, and Schwaben Bräu.

Parks and Gardens

Stuttgart has a series of gardens that are popular with families and cyclists, known as the Green U. This includes the Schlossgarten, which runs down to the Neckar River, and the larger Rosensteinpark, the largest English-style garden in southern Germany. Within the Rosensteinpark is the former Rosenstein Castle, now the Rosenstein Museum.

Final Thoughts

Stuttgart offers a rich cultural experience, combining the old and the new, with a strong focus on automobiles, the arts, and its surrounding natural beauty.

Stuttgart's tourist attractions

Stuttgart, the capital of Baden-Württemberg, is known as the 'cradle of the automobile' and is home to famous museums dedicated to cars, including the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum. However, the city has much more to offer in terms of tourist attractions. Here is a list of places to visit in Stuttgart:

• Palace Square: Located on Stuttgart's main street, Königstrasse, it is the main venue for Christmas markets and other celebrations. The square features fountains, concert halls, monuments, and chestnut trees.
• Stuttgarter Fernsehturm: The world's first television tower, standing at 217 metres tall, offers panoramic views of the city and the surrounding area.
• Landesmuseum Württemberg: The largest museum of cultural history in Baden-Württemberg, housing a diverse collection of artefacts, including glass pieces, Renaissance clocks, and treasures from the Stone Age to the Middle Ages.
• Stuttgarter Wilhelma: One of the largest zoos in Germany, with over 11,500 animals and spacious exhibits set in beautifully landscaped grounds and botanical gardens.
• St. John's Church: A Gothic Revival-style church with a fantastic facade, belltower, and flying buttresses. Known as the 'church without a top' as everything except its spire was rebuilt after World War II.
• Public Library Stuttgart: A state-of-the-art library with a unique, light-filled interior featuring bright white spaces, straight lines, and a series of staircases connecting each level.
• Neckar Park: A multi-use complex hosting concerts, exhibitions, sporting events, and the Mercedes-Benz Museum. It also includes the Porsche-Arena and the MHPArena.
• Hohenzollern Castle: Located an hour's drive south of Stuttgart, this is the second-largest castle in Germany and houses a large collection of artistic and architectural treasures, including suits of armour, jewels, paintings, statues, and swords.
• Königstrasse: Stuttgart's main shopping street, lined with elegant boutiques, department stores, cafes, and restaurants. It is one of Germany's longest pedestrian streets.
• Grabkapelle on Württemberg Hill: A peaceful and picturesque mausoleum built by King Wilhelm I for his wife, Queen Catharina. It offers gorgeous views of the surrounding vineyards and rivers.
• Weissenhof Estate: A collection of eleven incredible buildings designed by influential architects in the 1920s, showcasing modern and functional living spaces.
• Solitude Palace: A romantic-looking Rococo-style palace surrounded by manicured grounds and gardens, formerly used as a summer residence and hunting lodge. The interior features lavish ballrooms and halls decorated with glittering gold, glass, frescoes, and chandeliers.
• Killesberg Park: A former quarry transformed into a park, featuring gardens, fountains, woods, wide-open spaces, animal enclosures, and a forty-meter-high observation tower.
• Kunstmuseum Stuttgart: An eye-catching museum housed in a giant glass cube, showcasing contemporary artworks, including paintings, photos, and sculptures by artists such as Otto Dix, Dieter Roth, and Adolf Holzel.
• Outletcity Metzingen: A massive mall located forty minutes south of Stuttgart, featuring over 150 stores run by luxury brands, offering huge discounts on designer accessories, clothing, and shoes.
• Rubble Hill: A remarkable hill built from the rubble of the city centre after World War II, featuring a large steel cross and quiet green spaces offering panoramic views of the city.
• Tübingen: A charming university town located a forty-five-minute train ride from Stuttgart, known for its colourful medieval buildings, lively bars, and old churches.

Stuttgart's location

Stuttgart is the capital of Baden-Württemberg, a state in southwestern Germany. It is the largest city in the state, followed by Mannheim and Karlsruhe.

Baden-Württemberg is the third-largest German state by area and population, after Bavaria and Lower Saxony. It was formed in 1952 through the merger of South Baden, Württemberg-Baden, and Württemberg-Hohenzollern, which were created by the Allies after World War II. The state consists of three former states: Württemberg-Baden, Südwürttemberg-Hohenzollern, and Südbaden.

Stuttgart is located on the Neckar River in a fertile valley known as the Stuttgarter Kessel (Stuttgart Cauldron). It is about an hour from the Swabian Jura and the Black Forest. The city is spread across hills, valleys, and parks. It is known as the "cradle of the automobile" and is home to famous automobile museums, including the Mercedes-Benz Museum and Porsche Museum.

Stuttgart is an important transport hub, with a major international airport and several autobahns. It is well-connected by rail, with the Stuttgart S-Bahn and high-speed lines. The city has a port on the Neckar River and an extensive system of smaller highways.

The city centre was almost completely destroyed during World War II and now features a mix of modern and historic architecture. Notable historic buildings include the Old Castle, the New Palace, the Rosenstein Palace, the Leonhardskirche, and the Stiftskirche. Stuttgart is also known for its vineyards, with wine-growing in the area dating back to 1108.

Stuttgart is the seat of the University of Hohenheim and the University of Stuttgart. It is an important cultural centre, with the State Theatre, the State Gallery, and several museums.

The city is divided into 23 districts, including five "inner" districts (Stuttgart-Center, Stuttgart-North, Stuttgart-East, Stuttgart-South, and Stuttgart-West) and 18 "outer" districts.

Frequently asked questions