Mannheim University and Castle

One of the most unusual castles in Germany, this magnificent Baroque palace was built in 1760 by the art lover Prince Elector Carl Theodor. It is not only one of the country’s largest castles, but also the only one to house a full-fledged university. Just next door is the Jesuit Church, one of the city’s finest examples of Baroque architecture, and famously praised by Mozart for its acoustics and atmosphere.

Paradeplatz

This is the downtown shopping centre and is pedestrians only. The Paradeplatz is connected to Planken, where wooden planks were laid on the pavement to protect the rich ladies feet. The elegant shops, cafes and covered walkways are always busy and buzzing.

Luisenpark

 Though Mannheim is an industrial city, it still maintains charming public green places such as this 100 year old park in the centre of the city. The park has a restaurant, fish pond and lovely flora.

The Mannheim Museum of Technology and Work

 Near the Luisenpark is this excellent and thought provoking museum on technology and how it affects human life, a particularly fitting topic for a city of industry.

Friedrichsplatz

This city square is graces with some of the city’s (and quite possibly Europe’s) finest collection of Art Nouveau facades and decorations.