Staatstheater Stuttgart
The Opernhaus is in fact the former royal theatre built between 1909 and 1912 by Max Littmann in the historical and eclectic style in fashion at the time. The foyer is adorned with marble busts of great writers and composers and the ceiling of the main auditorium is painted. It opened with Tosca while the Kleine Haus or small theatre hosted the world premiere of Ariadne auf Naxos by Strauss.
An impressive stage for the opera and ballet company which has an international reputation, the Staatstheater Stuttgart has been nominated “Opera House of the Year by “Opernwelt” magazine on several occasions. Its repertoire covers every period with unflagging success.

Staatsorchester Stuttgart
The Staatsorchester Stuttgart is one of Germany’s oldest orchestras. It has a rich tradition that goes back over 400 years.
A great many famous musicians stand out in its long history, including Jommelli, Hummel, Weber, Strauss, Hindemith but also Orff, Penderecki and Glass...
Berlioz paid tribute to the extraordinary quality of this orchestra. Among its leading conductors we can mention Herman Zumpe, Fritz Busch, Ferdinand Leitner, Carlos Kleiber, Vaclav Neumann and Georg Solti. Lothar Zagrosek today puts on seven symphonic concerts per season as well as chamber music concerts.

SWR Radio-Sinfonieorchester
Set up in 1945, the SWR Symphony Orchestra in Stuttgart is one of the most famous music ambassadors of Bade-Wurtemberg. Some 80 concerts are performed in Stuttgart every year and broadcast on the radio.
Apart from having hosted the most distinguished soloists (Maria Callas, Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, Arthur Grumiaux, Mstislav Rostropovich…) it has also earned its reputation through its conductors: Carl Schuricht the trainer, Sergiu Celibidache above all, then Neville Marriner, Gianluigi Gelmetti and Georges Prêtre.
In the tradition of these great masters, Sir Roger Norrington has been conducting the ensemble since 1998 assisted by two principal guest conductors: Andrey Boreyko and Peter Eötvös.

Stuttgarter Philharmoniker
The orchestra was founded in 1924, then in 1933 its Jewish and foreign musicians were dismissed, and it took the name Landesorchester Gau Württemberg-Hohenzollern. At the end of the Second World War, the members met up again and founded the “Stuttgarter Philharmoniker”.
Since 1994, the orchestra has had use of the Philharmonie Gustav-Siegle-Haus concert hall for its concert performances.

Stuttgarter Kammerorchester
The oldest ensemble of its kind, it has enjoyed an exceptional standing for almost 60 years. The founder, Karl Münchinger, began a totally new and exemplary approach to the performance of the works of Bach and developed the Classical Viennese repertoire.

Stuttgarter Bachwoche (feb)
www.bachakademie.de
Many works by Bach are played during this week. There are lots of opportunities for visitors to take part in activities: seminars, classes in song performance and conducting. You can even join in the choir for the final mass.
The theme of the forthcoming event is “The St Matthew Passion yesterday and today”.

ECLAT – Festival für Neue Musik (feb)
www.eclat.org
The ECLAT New Music Festival is one of Europe’s major contemporary music events. The city of Stuttgart composition prize for contemporary music is awarded at the festival every year. The artistic director, Hans-Peter Jahn, explains: “The aim is to pick up on all the innovative trends in contemporary music and put them in context alongside the major compositions of recent decades. ECLAT is designed to be a festival for the younger generation. These concerts are given for their benefit.”

ISCM World New Music Festival (july)
www.iscm.nl
The official festival of the International Society for Contemporary Music is hosted each year by one of the 50 member countries (Stuttgart in 2006). The whole world pays close attention to this platform for contemporary music in which the focus is on cross-cultural collaboration between international performers.

1482
Stuttgart becomes official capital of the Land Württemberg as it is defined in the treaty of Münsingen.

1495
Stuttgart becomes the residence of the duke of Stuttgart.

Middle of the 16th century
Many constructions: Alte Kanzlei, transformation of the old castle, a summer palace, Neuer Bau, Prinzenbau.

The Thirty Years’ War
Imperial troupes occupy Stuttgart and the population is decimated because of contagion, hunger and war.

1686
Foundation of the grammar school (today : Eberhard-Ludwig-Gymnasium) where the philosopher Georg Friedrich Wilhelm Hegel is educated.

1810
The Schiller’s and Goethe’s editor Johann Friedrich Cotta moves to Stuttgart and turns Stuttgart into the most important centre of German literature and book-trade.

Industrialisation
The beginning is difficult for lack of hydraulic energy, raw materials and good roads. The most important industries at that time in Stuttgart are the book industry with Cotta, Klett and Halberger and the piano’s construction with Schiedmayer and Dieudonne.
Later, at the end of the 19th century, Bosch and Daimler companies are founded.

1933 - 1945
Almost 60% of Stuttgart’s buildings are destroyed by air attacks during World War II. About 4,500 persons loose their lives and 2,000 Jews are deported.
Big enlargement of Stuttgart because of forced incorporation.

1946
Reconstruction of the city with the main objectives of big housing estates as well as the creation of a city adapted to traffic.

1955
Creation of the first pedestrian shopping street in Germany (Schulstraße).

1958
Opening of the Neckarhafen, Stuttgart’s first harbour linked to the European waters.

Since 1977
Official capital of the Land Baden-Württemberg.

Altes Schloss
This castle stands next to the Stiftskirche. It is Stuttgart’s oldest building. The bases of its walls date from the 10th century when the building was a simple fortress surrounded by water. It was converted into a Renaissance style mansion in the 16th century. During the Second World War, the mansion was almost entirely destroyed and was later rebuilt, and completed in 1969.

The Großes Haus is an example of 19th-century Classicism.
Architecture oriented towards nature emerged later (1901-1908), exemplified by the Kunstgebäude (1912), the Gustav-Siegle-Haus (1910-1912) and the Erlöserkirche (1906-1910), all three designed by Theodor Fischer.
The phase of Modernism can be seen in the Tagblatt-Turm by E. O. Oßwald and in Bonatz railway station. Another example of Modernism is the Weißenhofsiedlung:

Weißenhofsiedlung (Weißenhof experimental housing project)
www.weissenhofgalerie.de
The Weißenhofsiedlung began its days in 1927 at the “Die Wohnung” exhibition of modern living organised by the Deutscher Werkbund. It was this exhibition which launched the “International Style” in architecture. Of the original 21 houses, 11 still remain today. They were designed by famous architects such as Mies van der Rohe, Stam, Behrens, Scharoun, Frank, Le Corbusier, Schneck, Oud and Bourgeois.
These houses date from the Modernist period and reflect the social and cultural changes of the 20th century.

Rathaus (Town hall)
From 1953 to 1956 Schmohl and Stohrer reconstructed the bordering part of the market square according to the epoch’s style. A chime on top of the 60m-tower plays Swabian melodies several times a day.

Stiftskirche (Collegiate church)
Built between 1433 and 1531 by Hänslin and Aberlin Jörg, it is the main church in Stuttgart. The hall dates from the late Gothic. It was destroyed in World War II and reconstructed between 1950 and 1959 – in a different way to commemorate the war. Inside the church you can find the grave of Ulrich the Founder and the low-relieves representing Baden-Württemberg’s counties.

Leonhardskirche (The second oldest church in Stuttgart)
Albert Jörg built this church between 1463 and 1466 in the late gothic style. The reconstruction workings after World War II lasted until 1954. Grave and epitaph of the humanist Johannes Reuchlin (1455-1522).
Organ recitals, exhibitions.

Alte Kanzlei (Old Chancery)
The Old Chancery whose function at that time is comparable with those of a present-day town hall was built between 1541 and 1543, enlarged in 1566 and rebuilt in 1952. Today it is a restaurant. On the Planie’s side, you will find a colon from 1598 dedicated to Mercury and crowned in 1862 with a Mercury’s effigy covered with gold-leaves.

Hegel-Haus
It is the birthplace of one of the city’s most popular sons: the philosopher Friedrich Hegel was born there on August 27, 1770. The house was not destroyed during World War II and today it shows exhibitions about Hegel.

Hauptbahnhof (Main station)
This dead-end station conceived by Bonatz was built according to the rationalist architecture of the 20s from 1914 to 1927. On the top of the 58m-tower you can see a pivoting Mercedes star and a clock is fixed on the wall. It is an exemplary building for modern architecture. In front of the station you can find the subterraneous shopping arcade Klettpassage.

Fernsehturm (TV tower)
Between 1954 and 1956, the architects Leonhardt, Gutbrod and Heinle built the first TV tower out of reinforced concrete. From the top of the tower you have a magnificent view and there is also a restaurant.

Haus der Wirtschaft (House of economy)
This gorgeous building with its towers and cupolas is an important element of Stuttgart’s architectural patrimony. The artist Ben Willikens who decorated it emphasised the chromatic effects. Exhibitions are proposed.

Tagblatt-Turm
Completed in 1928, this tower conceived by Ernst Otto Oßwald with a height of 61m was at that time the tallest of the city. In the Tagblatt-Turm worked the journalists of the “Neues Tagblatt” and later those of the “Stuttgarter Zeitung”. Later, in 1976, theatres moved to the tower. Today, it includes five institutions: the Figurentheater FITZ, the Theater tri-bühne, the Junges Ensemble Stuttgart JES, the Museumspädagogischer Dienst der Stadt and the Jugendkunstschule JuKuS.

Schillerdenkmal (Schiller Monument)
This monument was created by the Dane Berthel Thorvaldsen and inaugurated in 1839; the base was made by Thouret. It is located on Schillerplatz in the city centre.

Wilhelmspalais
The Wilhelmspalais was built by Salucci between 1834 and 1840. It was Wilhem II’s (last king of Württemberg) residence until 1918. Rebuilt from 1961 to 1965, the neo-classical edifice today houses the municipal library is installed in. Exhibitions and literary events.

Fruchkasten
In former times, this late gothic building made of stone was used as a loft and today it is the museum of musical instruments.

Haus des Landtags
Since 1991, this is the seat of Baden-Württemberg’s Landtag. This skeletal cubic building with its dark vitreous facade was conceived by Kurt Viertel and constitutes an interesting contrast to Stuttgart’s historic buildings. The wall with the fossils of the Jurassic period inside the building is worth mentioning.

Wilhelma
In the beginning, the 19th century park was a Moorish pleasure palace. Destroyed during World War II, it was rebuilt in the 50s and it is today one of the biggest zoos in the world. The Wilhelma also offers a big variety of plants coming from the different continents. The Amazon where you feel like being in a Jungle is the new attraction.

Rosensteingarten
The Rosensteinpark is the biggest English park of south-west Germany. It was created between 1824 and 1840 under King Wilhelm I of Württemberg. The includes the Museum am Löwentor as well as the Rosenstein Castle.

Höhenpark Killesberg
This park was completed in 1939 and it is exemplary for its horticultural art of the 30s. On the culminating point is the Killesbergturm – a tower conceived by Jörg Schaich and opened in 2001. From the top of the tower you have a sumptuous view over Stuttgart and its surroundings.

Hohenheimer Gärten
The Hohenheimer Gärten are in the south of Stuttgart and they have been an attraction for 200 years. The “English Garden” of Duke Carl Eugen and Franziska von Hohenheim, the Schlosspark and the exotic and botanical garden are the nicest places in the park.

In the surrounding areas
Esslingen am Neckar
The former imperial town Esslingen has remains from 1,000 before Christ and therefore is the oldest city of Baden-Württemberg. Its mediaeval centre is still well preserved.

Residenzschloss Ludwigsburg
The “Swabian Versailles” is the former residence of Württemberg’s dukes and kings. Built between 1704 and 1733, it is one of the oldest preserved baroque castles in Germany, located in the middle of a park called “blooming baroque”. Furthermore, you can find another little castle in rococo style called “Monrepos” and a nice fairy tale garden for children.

Castle of Hohenzollern
Hohenzollern was mentionned for the first time in the 11th century. It is the cradle of the Prussian emperors and kings. The view from the castle is worth a journey but also the interior: the Prussian royal crown, several souvenirs of Friedrich the Great,…

Tübingen
Tübingen has been a university city for over 500 years as you can see with the “Alte Aula” from 1477, a building that used to be a university at that time.
Tübingen is very romantic with its small streets, its animated squares and its typical tubs on the Neckar.

Urweltmuseum Hauff (Holzmaden)
The fossil records exhibited in the aeon museum are from the Jurassic period 180 million years ago when Europe was flooded with water. The biggest attraction is the ichthyosaur of almost 4m.

Schwabenpark (Welzheim)
Big adventure park for the whole family with many attractions and animals.

Linsen mit Saiten
Lenses with hot sausages ; mostly eaten with Spätzle.

Maultauschen
Pockets out of noodles’ dough filled with sausage meat, hash, onions, eggs and parsley. Mautaschen are either served in a stock or they are roasted gently.

Schupfnudeln
Made of flour, potatoes and eggs; cooked in salted water and then roasted.

Gaisburger Marsch
Stuttgart’s “national dish”: a stew of Spätzle, pieces of potatoes, beef cubes, vegetables, stock and roasted onions.

Schwäbischer Rostbraten
Slides of roast beef with a lot of roasted onions ; mostly served with sauerkraut, Maultaschen or Spätzle.

Zwiebelkuchen
A yeast dough covered with roasted onions, eggs, creme and bacon.

Laugenbrezel
A typical Swabian pastry; mostly buttered.

Stuttgart’s Beer
Stuttgarter Hofbräu, Dinkelacker and Schwabenbräu – just to quote some of the beer brands of Stuttgart’s surroundings.

Stuttgart’s Wine
The Württemberg’s viniculture has a more than 1,000-year-old tradition. Stuttgart is one of the biggest wine growing cities in Germany. The most popular type of wine is the “Trollinger “.

Lichterfest im Höhenpark Killesberg (July)
Many lights and candles illuminate the Killesberg and music, theatre, shows but also animations for children are on the program. The nicest part of the evening is the firework accompanied by music.

Stuttgarter Sommerfest (August)
This open air festival takes place on the Großer Schlossplatz and in the Schlossgarten around the Theatersee. With its white pavilions, its numerous illuminated garlands and lampions, the great scenery of the “Neuen Schloss” and its big choice of food and musical attractions, this is certainly one of the nicest city fairs of Germany.

Stuttgarter Weindorf (August – Sept.)
Every summer, oenophiles and wine aficionados meet around the Alten Schloss and on the Markt- and the Schillerplatz to taste the fruits of the summer. Over 120 wine arbours serve over 350 wines of Württemberg with culinary specialities of the region.

Cannstatter Volksfest (end of Sept./ beginning of Oct.)
This fun fair lasts 16 days and is one of the biggest in the world. There are rides for children but also for the adults. And don’t forget the beer tents.

Stuttgarter Weihnachtsmarkt (Dec.)
This Christmas market with a 300-year-old tradition is one of the most beautiful in Europe. The city is illuminated and small huts sell Christmas products on the market square.

Alte und Neue Staatsgalerie
www.staatsgalerie.de
Alte Staatsgalerie
One of the most visited German museums. The neo-classical edifice conceived by the British James Stirling was built in the 19th century. The museum exhibits works from the 14th to the 19th century of great artists such as Jerg Ratgeb, Canaletto, Memling and Rembrandt.
The section of the 19th century contains “Swabian neo-classicism” works but also works of the most important art streams, from pre-Raphaelite to symbolism and from romanticism to impressionism.
Neue Staatsgalerie
The extension of the old museum is dedicated to 20th century art with focus on the modern classicism and contemporary painting and plastic. Different streams are presented (“Frauves”, “Brücke”, “Blauer Reiter”, “Kubisme”); with works of the great painters like Picasso, Beckmann, Schlemmer, Beuys and Kiefer.

Kunstmuseum Stuttgart
www.kunstmuseum-stuttgart.de
The spectacular glass cube is located on the Kleiner Schlossplatz and offers a nice view over the city.
On a surface of about 5,000 m², you can admire the region’s art with works of Otto Dix and Adolf Hölzel as well as works of artists of the 80s like Joseph Kosuth, Dieter Krieg, Wolfgang Laib, Markus Lüpertz, Dieter Roth and K.R.H. Sonderborg.

Kunstgebäude
http://wkv-stuttgart.de
The museum is directly situated on the Schlossplatz and exhibits particularly contemporary art.

Haus der Geschichte
www.hdgbw.de
This museum was constructed by James Stirling and it illustrates 200 years of Baden-Württemberg’s history and its predecessors Baden, Württemberg and Hohenzollern. The collection is made of over a million documents, 40,000 objects, 120 films and 25,000 books.

Staatliches Museum für Naturheilkunde – Museum Schloss Rosenstein
www.naturkundemuseum-bw.de
The castle built by G. Salucci in the Rosensteinpark accommodates the biological exhibition of naturopathy. It offers an overview of the diversity, the structure and the evolution of creatures – from plants to human beings.

Museum am Löwentor
www.naturkundemuseum-bw.de
The Museum am Löwentor is at the outside margin of the Rosensteinpark and the exhibition contains also popular aeon’s findings from south-west Germany. The focus is on the saurian and the amber cabinet.

Linden-Museum
www.lindenmuseum.de
It is one of the most important ethnological museums in Europe.

Porsche-Museum
The museum shows Porsche’s history by impressive exhibitions of 15 racing cars and prototypes.

Weinbaumuseum Alter Kelter
This museum is divided into different themes : “The history of viniculture”, “Work in the vineyards” , “Conservation and the trade of the cooper” and “Pots and containers for wine” – everything from a period of 2,000 years.

Straßenbahnmuseum Zuffenhausen
www.shb-ev.de
This museum exhibits over 50 historical vehicles from the legendary horse train to the steam train, then to the motor and finally to the electric train. You can also see the “Trümmerbahn” used for the reconstruction after World War II. Another thing to see is a complete station of the 60s as well as the first motorised tramway made by Daimler.

Hotel Unger Stuttgart****
Kronenstraße 17
Tél.:+49(0)711/2099-0
Fax +49(0)711/2099-100
Located in the city centre everything is nearby – the station, the opera, the ballet, the Staatsgalerie, the Schlossgarten, the convention centre and the pedestrian precinct.

Hotel Royal****
Sophienstraße 35
Tél.: +49(0)711/625050-0
Fax +49(0)711/628809
The hotel is calm as it is situated in a little street in Stuttgart’s centre. Everything is within walking distance: pedestrian precinct, the underground station,…

Parkhotel Stuttgart****
Villastraße 21
Tél.: +49(0)711/2801-0
Fax +49(0)711/2864-353
The 75 rooms – each arranged in a different way – have their own charm and are comfortable. The hotel is at the border of the centre and offers a magnificent view over the park.

Maritim Hotel Stuttgart****
Seidenstraße 34
Tél.:+49(0)711/942-0
Fax +49(0)711/942-1000
In the very centre of Stuttgart, this hotel with an exclusive flair and a good atmosphere is directly linked to the convention centre Liederhalle and is therefore ideal for congresses.

Hotel Wartburg***
Lange Straße 49
Tél.: +49(0)711/2045-0
Fax +49(0)711/2045-450
As it is located in the centre you can reach nearly everything on foot ; good atmosphere.