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Stuttgart,
Germany
So Much To See And Do!
You could ‘lose’ yourself
in Stuttgart! Not in the sense of literally getting lost, but totally losing
sense of time and being enraptured by its beauty. This city is the state
capital of one of Germany’s richest regions, the Baden-Württemberg but its
own richness is also thanks to its blend of history and culture, beautiful
architecture and picturesque squares, as well as car museums as one would
expect from the country which virtually birthed the automobile industry.
Zoom Your Way
Through
Having said that, one really should head to the automobile museums first. It
doesn’t matter if you aren’t a car buff; you really must make time to
experience the history of Germany’s car industries for yourself. Stuttgart
is the proud home of the Mercedes-Benz and Porsche Museums. Both are not
only unique in appearance and architecture, but also contain a wealth of
fascinating information on the evolution of the two brands.
Gorgeous Architecture
One of the most interesting tourist sites is Schlossplatz with its Old
Palace, which was built in the late 14th century and the New Palace, built
much later during the 18th century. Both had to be virtually reconstructed
after the Second World War due to massive destruction. The New Palace is now
used for government offices while the Old Palace houses the Württemberg
Regional Museum which traces the region’s history all the way back to the
Stone Age. Royal jewelry and other treasures from the past are also
displayed here. Just outside, the elegant gardens make a scenic,
picture-perfect place to relax.
Other places of interest are the Linden Museum, one of Germany’s biggest
ethnological museums, as well as viniculture museums. You should also visit
the Solitude Castle and Ludwigsburg Palace, the latter being one of
Germany’s largest baroque palaces with an enormous, impressive garden.
The Wihelma Zoo and Botanical Gardens are also lovely. What was once a
palace with a zoo has now expanded into giving more priority to the animals,
particularly its apes, with a slight difference in its beautiful setting and
lovely gardens. Beautiful Moor-style architecture combines with glasshouses
and animal enclosures which even include an aquarium.
And For A Bird’s-Eye
View...
If you want a great view of Stuttgart, head for its highest point, the
Bierkenkopf. This is a hill built partly from the ruins of World War 2. It
is also interesting as facades of some of the buildings destroyed during the
war have been placed there. And another tall structure in the city is the
Fernsehturm, its TV Tower which has the honour of being the first ever of
its kind in the world. The fact that it was built in the 1950’s in itself is
interesting, but that fact pales to the jaw-dropping view of the city that
awaits you at its top.
A Happy Place To Be...
 Stuttgart is also hip and happening with festivals almost throughout the
year, seemingly for each of the seasons. The world-famous annual Cannstatter
Volksfest or Cannstatter Wasen is a 17-day fair that begins on a Friday in
late September, while later on in the year a Christmas market is held.
Christmas markets have a long-standing tradition in Germany, dating back all
the way to the Middle Ages, but Stuttgart’s is probably one of the oldest
and largest. Both are delightfully colourful events and it is worth timing
your trip to coincide with either one.
Stuttgart also pays homage to its wine heritage each August by hosting one
of the largest and most beautiful wine festivals in Germany each year, the
Stuttgart Wine Village or the Viertelesschlotzer. There are also plenty of
vineyards to visit around the city. Be sure to sample their wares- indeed
the trip would be a waste if you didn’t.
After all that walking about take a moment to relax in the Mineralbad
Cannstatt and the Mineralbad Leuze- the hot and cold mineral bath spas. With
so much to see and so much to do, you’ll definitely welcome the chance to
cool your feet!
Book Stuttgart
Hotels here
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