Stuttgart

In 200 years, the settlement came into the possession of the Margrave of Baden and was given the status of a city. Stuttgart was famous for its horse farms, as reflected in its coat of arms: a black horse on a yellow background.

In the middle of the XIII century, the city for almost 700 years passed under the rule of the royal house of Württemberg. At the end of the XV century, Stuttgart was the capital of the Duchy of Wurttemberg. There came a period of development of social sciences in the city, in which the famous German philosophers and humanists of the time lived and worked.

The XIX century brought an era of industrial and scientific development to the city. Factories and plants were built, a university, a school of engineering and arts were opened. At the end of the XIX century, the first gasoline engine and the carburetor in the world were invented in Stuttgart. This predetermined the fate of the city. It became the capital of the automobile industry in the country.

World War II brought the heaviest destruction to Stuttgart. More than half of the buildings were destroyed. But it recovered from the ruins and gradually became a center of industry and science.

Stuttgart is the administrative center of Baden-Wuerttemberg and is considered one of the most comfortable cities in the world. It combines the relaxed atmosphere of the past with the incredibly attractive charm of modernity in an amazing way.

Family lovers come to Stuttgart every year for the Spring Festival, held in late April and early May. Theater and concert groups perform on numerous open-air stages, and the squares and streets are transformed into picturesque fairs.

Want to try some authentic German beer? Come to Stuttgart at the end of September. This is when the beer festival takes place, where local breweries offer their best beers. Its program is varied. In addition to beer tasting, guests expect a Volksfest parade, performances of artists, a lot of attractions, and entertainment.

• Walk around one of the most beautiful squares in Europe — Schlossplatz. It appeared in the middle of the XX century and immediately became a favorite place for citizens and guests. Jubilee Column stands in its center, the top of which is crowned by the Goddess of Harmony. On its sides, one can see magnificent fountains symbolizing the rivers of Baden-Württemberg. Within the framework of the main square, there are numerous palaces with architectural details of different styles.
• Enjoy the monumentality of the Old Castle. Its first structures date back to the V century. Some fragments of the X-century buildings survived. In the XVI century, the castle came into the possession of the Dukes of Württemberg, who reconstructed it and built it up. Explore the inner courtyard, which was designed with Renaissance elegance. Admire the Corinthian columns that harmoniously complement the interior of the courtyard.
• Marvel at the beauty of the Stuttgart Versailles, the New Palace. The magnificent baroque building was erected in the XVIII century by order of Charles Eugene von Wurttemberg and has since become the residence of the dukes and kings. The palace was badly damaged during the Second World War. But thanks to careful reconstruction, today you can appreciate all the splendor of one of the city's main attractions.
• See what solitude looks like at Solitude Castle. The name of the luxurious palace complex, located 10 kilometers from Stuttgart, translates as " loneliness. The castle was built by Charles Eugene, who sought solitude and privacy within its walls. The elegant facade of the palace is in the Rococo style, and the inner rooms are in the Classical style. It is impossible to hold back admiration when looking at the interior of the living quarters, especially knowing that it has been preserved in its original form.
• See the main Lutheran church of the city, the Monastery Church. It was built in the X century and is considered a striking example of the early Middle Ages. Originally, the church was built in the Romanesque style. Today, this style can be seen in the forms of the semi-basement floor of the south tower. Then the church was completed and reconstructed in the German Gothic style. Be sure to see the unique XIII-century frescoes inside the church, which have survived to this day without losing their vivid colors.
• Get into the futuristic Mercedes-Benz Museum building. A huge structure in the shape of a three-leaf clover catches the eye of tourists with its fantastic shape. But it's even more interesting inside the Mercedes-Benz Museum. The history of the brand's development since the XIX century is presented here. The fascinated visitors can see not only the old cars owned by famous people of the world but also the future models of the world-famous company.
• Take a tour of the museum of the famous Porsche brand. The unusual building where the museum is located reflects the philosophy of the auto giant company. Here you can get acquainted with the exhibits of the history department and thematic exhibitions. Auto enthusiasts can admire more than 80 luxury cars and even drive one of them.
• Explore the unique exhibits in the State Gallery. The building itself is made in postmodernism and has become a real decoration of the modern part of the city. The basis of the gallery's collections are paintings that used to belong to King William I of Württemberg. One can see the canvases of the masters of the XIX and XX centuries, which represent all painting trends of that period. The real gems of the gallery are paintings by Monet, Rubens, Holbein, Modigliani, Rembrandt, Renoir.
• Go shopping along the longest pedestrian street in Europe, the famous Königstrasse. It is packed with historic and modern buildings, making it extremely interesting for tourists. It features shopping malls, fashion boutiques, and famous brand stores. After a successful shopping session, you can sit in a cozy café and admire the colorful diversity of the city's vibrant main street.
• Relax in the fabulous Wilhelma Park and Palace Complex. A stunning neo-Romanesque palace is spread over more than 30 hectares, surrounded by a botanical garden. The garden is home to about 6,000 flora collected from all over the world. Nearby, there is a zoo with over 9,000 species of animals. Sit in the largest grove of magnolias in Europe, visit the pavilions with orchids and sequoias.
• Taste the national cuisine of the Swabians, the ancestors of Stuttgart. It's simple but hearty. Try the Flädlesuppe (pancake noodle soup), the Maultaschen (dumplings stuffed with potatoes, spinach, and minced meat), and the Spätzle (dumplings served with fried onions). For dessert, try the Hefezopf (sweet buns) or the famous apple casserole. It's also worth savoring the signature drink, Kirschwasser (cherry schnapps with almond flavor).