Stuttgart facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Stuttgart
Schduagert (Swabian)
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Castle Square with New Palace
Hilly cityscape
Old Castle
Marquardtbau
Mount Württemberg
Kunstgebäude
Market Square
Cannstatt Wasen
Mercedes-Benz Welt
|
|||
|
|||
|
Location within Baden-Württemberg
 |
|||
 Stuttgart
Location in Germany
Stuttgart
Location in Baden-Württemberg
|
|||
| Country | Germany | ||
| State | Baden-Württemberg | ||
| Admin. region | Stuttgart | ||
| District | Stadtkreis | ||
| Founded | 10th century | ||
| Subdivisions | 23 districts | ||
| Area | |||
| • Municipality | 207.33 km2 (80.05 sq mi) | ||
| Elevation | 245 m (804 ft) | ||
| Population
(2022-12-31)
|
|||
| • Municipality | 632,865 | ||
| • Density | 3,052.45/km2 (7,905.82/sq mi) | ||
| • Urban | 2,787,724 (31 Dec 2018) | ||
| • Metro | 5,465,093 (2021) | ||
| Demonym(s) | Stuttgarter | ||
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) | ||
| Postal codes |
70173–70619
|
||
| Dialling codes | 0711 | ||
| Vehicle registration | S | ||
| Website | stuttgart.de | ||
Stuttgart is a major city in Germany. It is the capital and largest city of the German state of Baden-Württemberg. The city is located on the Neckar river. It sits in a fertile valley often called the Stuttgart Cauldron. Stuttgart is about an hour away from the Swabian Jura mountains and the Black Forest.
As of 2022, Stuttgart has a population of over 630,000 people. This makes it the sixth largest city in Germany. The wider area around Stuttgart is home to nearly 5.5 million people. This makes it the fourth largest metropolitan area in Germany. Stuttgart is known for its strong economy and high quality of life. It is also famous for being the "cradle of the automobile." This means it's where the modern car was first developed.
Stuttgart is unique among German cities because it is built across many hills. Some of these hills are covered in vineyards. The city also has many valleys and parks. It is home to famous car museums like the Mercedes-Benz Museum and Porsche Museum. This is why it is called Germany's "car capital city." The city's tourism slogan is "Stuttgart offers more."
Contents
- What's in a Name? The Meaning of Stuttgart
- A Journey Through Time: The History of Stuttgart
- Where is Stuttgart? Understanding its Geography
- Exploring Stuttgart: Landmarks and Culture
- Who Lives in Stuttgart? Demographics
- Stuttgart's Economy: A Hub of Innovation
- Learning in Stuttgart: Education
- Media and Publishing in Stuttgart
- Getting Around: Transport in Stuttgart
- Sports in Stuttgart
- Global Connections: International Relations
- Images for kids
- See also
What's in a Name? The Meaning of Stuttgart
Stuttgart is often called the "Swabian metropolis." This is because it is in the center of Swabia. People in this area speak a local dialect called Swabian German. The name Stuttgart comes from an old German word, Stuotgarten. This word means "stud farm." The city was founded in 950 AD by Liudolf, Duke of Swabia. He was the Duke of Swabia and wanted to breed warhorses here.
A Journey Through Time: The History of Stuttgart
.jpg)
.jpg)
Ancient Times: Roman Roots
The area around Stuttgart was first important near what is now Bad Cannstatt. Around 90 AD, the Roman Empire built a large military camp there. This camp protected farms and vineyards. It also guarded a road connecting important Roman cities. This area was part of the Roman province of Germania Superior.
Even after the Roman army moved, a settlement stayed. It was known for making bricks and pottery. In the 3rd century, the Romans left, and the settlement disappeared for a while. It reappeared in the 7th century.
The Middle Ages: From Stud Farm to City
In 950 AD, Liudolf, Duke of Swabia, founded a stud farm. This farm was for his warhorses. This is where the city of Stuttgart truly began. For a long time, nearby Bad Cannstatt was more important. But Stuttgart slowly grew. It was granted city rights in 1320.
The city's importance grew with the House of Württemberg. They made Stuttgart their capital. This lasted from the 15th century until 1918. Stuttgart faced challenges like the Thirty Years' War. But it continued to grow and prosper.
Modern History: Wars and Rebirth
The Thirty Years' War in the 17th century badly damaged Stuttgart. The city's population dropped a lot. Recovery was slow. In 1718, the capital moved away to Ludwigsburg. But it returned to Stuttgart in 1803. This was when Württemberg became an electorate. It became the capital of the Kingdom of Württemberg in 1805.
In the 19th century, Stuttgart grew rapidly. The Main Train Station opened in 1846. This helped the city's economy. Stuttgart's population grew from 35,200 in 1834 to over 100,000 by 1874. In 1871, Württemberg joined the new German Empire.
The Birthplace of the Automobile
Stuttgart is famous for the invention of the automobile. Karl Benz is said to have invented the car here. Then, Gottlieb Daimler and Wilhelm Maybach industrialized it in 1887. They worked in a small workshop in Bad Cannstatt. This workshop became Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft. Today, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche have their main offices in Stuttgart. Other big car parts companies like Bosch are also here.
World Wars and Recovery
During World War I, Stuttgart was bombed. In World War II, the city suffered heavy air raids. Many buildings were destroyed. The city center was left in ruins by 1944. After the war, Stuttgart was occupied by Allied forces. It became the capital of Württemberg-Baden in 1945.
In 1952, Stuttgart became the capital of the new state of Baden-Württemberg. The city quickly rebuilt itself. It grew into a major cultural, economic, and industrial center. Many people moved to Stuttgart for work. This included people from other parts of Germany and other countries.
US Military Presence
Since World War II, the US military has had a presence in Stuttgart. Today, about 10,000 Americans are stationed on five bases. These bases include Patch Barracks and Kelley Barracks. Patch Barracks is home to the US EUCOM. Kelley Barracks hosts the US AFRICOM.
Where is Stuttgart? Understanding its Geography
Stuttgart's main area is in a fertile, bowl-shaped valley. It is about 900 feet above sea level. The city is often called "between forest and vines." This is because of its many vineyards and surrounding forests. Stuttgart covers an area of 207.35 square kilometers. Its elevation changes a lot, from 207 meters by the Neckar river to 549 meters on Bernhartshöhe hill. This is quite unusual for a large German city.
Stuttgart is a main center for the Stuttgart Region. This region covers 3,700 square kilometers and has 2.76 million people.
Stuttgart's Weather: A Look at its Climate
Stuttgart has an oceanic climate. This means it has warm summers and chilly winters. Average summer highs are around 25°C (77°F). Winters have daily temperatures just above freezing. The city gets about 718.7 mm (28.3 inches) of rain each year. Stuttgart enjoys about 1,807 hours of sunshine per year. The average yearly temperature is 10.8°C (51.4°F).
The nearby hills and forests protect the city from harsh weather. However, thunderstorms can still happen. In winter, snow usually lasts for only a few days. Sometimes, damaging hailstorms occur. To fight this, "Hagelflieger" (hail planes) are stationed near the city. They are funded by companies like Daimler AG.
Exploring Stuttgart: Landmarks and Culture
City Center Highlights
Stuttgart's main square is Schlossplatz. It is the largest square in the city. It connects shopping areas, the Schlossgarten park, and major museums. Königstraße, Stuttgart's main shopping street, runs along Schlossplatz. It is said to be the longest pedestrian street in Germany.
Many historic buildings were rebuilt after World War II. The city also has impressive modern buildings. Important places in the city center include:
- The Stiftskirche (Collegiate Church): Dates back to the 12th century. It was rebuilt after World War II.
- Altes Schloss (the Old Castle): Mostly from the late 15th century. It is in the Renaissance style.
- Neues Schloss (the New Castle): Finished in 1807. It is in Baroque and Classicism styles. Today, it holds government offices.
- Königsbau (the King's Building): Built in 1850. It now houses a shopping center.
- The Hauptbahnhof (Main Railway Station): Designed in 1920. It has a functional, modern style.
Architecture Beyond the Center
Stuttgart has many beautiful castles outside the city center. These remind us of its royal past:
- Castle Solitude: Built between 1700 and 1800 in Baroque and Rococo styles.
- Ludwigsburg Palace: A large Baroque palace with a huge garden.
Other famous landmarks include:
- Castle Rosenstein (1822–1830): A classical style castle.
- Württemberg Mausoleum (1824): Holds the remains of Queen Catherine Pavlovna and King William I.
- Wilhelma Zoo and Botanical Gardens (1853): Germany's only combined zoo and botanical garden.
- The TV Tower (1950): The world's first concrete TV tower.
Green Spaces: Parks, Lakes, and More
Stuttgart has a series of gardens called the Green U. It starts with the old Schlossgarten, which dates back to 1350. This park stretches down to the Neckar river. It includes the upper, middle, and lower gardens, covering 61 hectares. The park also has the Stuttgart planetarium.
The Rosensteinpark is another large park in the Green U. It borders the Wilhelma zoo and botanical gardens. This park has many old trees and open areas. It is the largest English-style garden in southern Germany.
The Killesbergpark is the last Green U park. It was once a quarry. It has miniature trains that run in the summer. The Killesbergturm (viewing tower) offers great views of the city.
Stuttgart has many natural and artificial lakes. The largest is the Max-Eyth-See. It is now a nature reserve. The city also has large woodlands to the west and southwest. These are popular for walking and cycling.
Stuttgart is known for its many mineral water springs. It has over 250 springs within the city. This makes it the second-largest mineral water deposit in Europe, after Budapest.
Culture and Fun Events
Stuttgart has a rich cultural scene. Its State Theatre (Staatstheater) is very famous. It hosts opera, ballet, and theater shows. The Stuttgart Opera has won "Opera of the year" many times. The Stuttgart Ballet is also world-renowned.
The city has a prestigious symphony orchestra, the Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra. They often perform in the Liederhalle concert hall. Stuttgart also has two Broadway-style musical theaters.
Because of its long history of viticulture (wine growing), Stuttgart has over 400 flights of stairs. Locals call them "Stäffele." These stairs connect different parts of the hilly city.
The Schleyerhalle sports arena hosts many rock and pop concerts. Stuttgart's food, beer, and wine are famous. Gaisburger Marsch is a stew invented here.
Stuttgart hosts many events throughout the year:
- The annual 'Volksfest': A huge traditional fair, second only to Munich's Oktoberfest.
- Stuttgart's Christmas Market: One of the largest and oldest in Europe. It runs from late November to December 23.
- The Summer Festival (Stuttgart Sommerfest): Features shows, music, and local food.
- The Wine Village (Weindorf): Where local wines are sold.
Discovering Knowledge: Museums in Stuttgart
Stuttgart has many important museums. The Old State Gallery has art from the 14th to 19th centuries. It includes works by famous artists like Rembrandt and Monet. The New State Gallery focuses on modern art. It has works by Picasso and Dalí.
The Old Castle is home to the State Museum of Württemberg. This museum shows the rich history of Württemberg. It has artifacts from dukes, counts, and kings. It also has items from the Stone Age.
Other top museums include:
- The Mercedes-Benz Museum: Shows the 125-year history of the automobile. It is the most visited museum in Stuttgart.
- Stuttgart Art Museum: Focuses on modern art. It is in a large glass cube on Schlossplatz.
- The Porsche Museum: Displays the history of Porsche cars.
- Hegel House (Hegelhaus): The birthplace of philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel.
- The Linden Museum: A leading international museum about different cultures.
Churches and Libraries
Stuttgart is home to many churches. It is the seat of a Protestant bishop and a Roman Catholic bishop. The Gospel Forum is the largest place of worship in Germany.
Stuttgart also has important libraries:
- The Württembergische Landesbibliothek (WLB): One of the two state libraries for Baden-Württemberg. It collects and archives literature about Württemberg.
- The Stuttgart University Library (UBS): Serves the University of Stuttgart and the public.
- The Central State Archive Stuttgart: Holds historical records of the state.
- The Stadtarchiv Stuttgart: Holds historical records of the city.
Who Lives in Stuttgart? Demographics
Stuttgart has a population of about 630,000 people. It is the 6th largest city in Germany. The city's population grew a lot in the 1960s. This was due to the success of car companies like Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. Many people from other countries moved to Stuttgart for work. These included people from Turkey, Greece, Italy, and former Yugoslavia.
Today, about 47% of the city's population has a foreign background. In 2022, 27.6% of the population did not have German citizenship. The largest groups of foreign residents are from Turkey, Croatia, Italy, and Greece.
Jobs in Stuttgart: Unemployment
Unemployment in the Stuttgart Region is lower than in many other German metropolitan areas. In November 2008, it was 3.8%. This shows a strong job market.
Stuttgart's Economy: A Hub of Innovation
The Stuttgart area is famous for its high-tech industry. Many major companies have their headquarters here. These include Mercedes-Benz Group, Porsche, Bosch, McKesson Europe, Hewlett-Packard, and IBM.
Stuttgart has Germany's ninth biggest exhibition center, Stuttgart Trade Fair. Many small and medium-sized companies are also based here. They often have strong ties to the car, electronics, and engineering industries.
Stuttgart has the highest level of wealth of any city in Germany. Its economy is strong in services and industry.
Science and Research
The Stuttgart region has the highest number of scientific and research organizations in Germany. It also registers the most patents and designs. About 45% of Baden-Württemberg's research and development (R&D) is done here. Over 11% of all German R&D money is invested in the Stuttgart region.
The area has several universities and colleges. These include the University of Stuttgart and the University of Hohenheim. It also hosts many research institutes.
Money Matters: Financial Services
The Stuttgart Stock Exchange is the second largest in Germany. It is smaller only than Frankfurt's. Many important financial companies are based in Stuttgart. There are about 100 credit institutes in the city.
Wine and Beer: A Rich History
Stuttgart is unique because wine grapes are grown within the city. This happens mainly in the Rotenberg, Uhlbach, and Untertürkheim districts. Wine growing in the area dates back to 1108. In the 17th century, Stuttgart was a major wine-growing community. Wine was its main source of income until the 19th century.
Today, Stuttgart is still one of Germany's largest wine-growing cities. It has over 400 hectares of vineyards. This is thanks to its location in the Württemberg wine region. The city celebrates its wine history every year at the annual wine festival.
Stuttgart also has several famous breweries. These include Stuttgarter Hofbräu, Dinkelacker, and Schwaben Bräu.
Learning in Stuttgart: Education
Stuttgart has been home to important German thinkers and writers. These include Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel and Friedrich Schiller. The city is also a center for research and innovation, especially in engineering.
Universities and Colleges
Stuttgart has many higher education institutions:
- University of Stuttgart: Founded in 1829. It is known for engineering and technical subjects.
- University of Hohenheim: Founded in 1818. It focuses on agricultural science and business.
- State University of Music and Performing Arts Stuttgart: Founded in 1857.
- State Academy of Fine Arts in Stuttgart: One of Germany's largest art colleges.
- Stuttgart Media University: Focuses on media studies.
- Stuttgart Technology University of Applied Sciences: Focuses on technology.
Schools for All Ages
The first Waldorf School was founded in Stuttgart in 1919. Today, there are four Waldorf schools in the city. The Eberhard-Ludwigs-Gymnasium is a historic high school. It was created in 1668.
Since 1985, Stuttgart has been home to the International School of Stuttgart. This school offers all three International Baccalaureate programs.
Media and Publishing in Stuttgart
Stuttgart is one of the main locations for the public broadcaster Südwestrundfunk (SWR). It has several radio and TV channels. The city is also a big center for publishing and printing. Many famous publishing houses are based here. These include Georg von Holtzbrinck Publishing Group and Ernst Klett Verlag.
The newspapers Stuttgarter Zeitung and Stuttgarter Nachrichten are published in Stuttgart.
Getting Around: Transport in Stuttgart
Since 2008, Stuttgart has a low emission zone. This means that vehicles entering certain areas must meet air quality standards. This helps improve air quality in the city.
Public Transport
Stuttgart has a light rail system called the Stuttgart Stadtbahn. In the city center, it runs underground. Stations are marked with a 'U' symbol. The city also has a large bus network.
The outer parts of Stuttgart are served by the Stuttgart S-Bahn. This is a suburban railway system.
Stuttgart has a unique Zahnradbahn, a rack railway. It runs between Marienplatz and Degerloch. It is the only urban rack railway in Germany. There is also a Standseilbahn, a funicular railway. It operates in the Heslach area. In Killesbergpark, there is a miniature railway.
Train Travel
Stuttgart is a major hub for Germany's train networks. It has direct train services to most other big German cities. There are also international services to cities like Paris, Vienna, and Zürich. Long-distance trains stop at Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof, the city's main train station.
The Stuttgart 21 Project
The Stuttgart 21 project is a big plan to change the main train station. The current above-ground station will become an underground station. This project started in 2010 and is expected to finish around 2025.
Air and Road Travel
Stuttgart is served by Stuttgart Airport. It is an international airport about 13 kilometers south of the city center. You can reach the airport from the city center in 30 minutes by S-Bahn. Stuttgart Airport is Germany's only international airport with one runway.
Stuttgart is connected by major highways, called Autobahn A8 and Autobahn A81. Many other expressways connect Stuttgart to its suburbs. Because of the hilly area, there are many road tunnels in and around the city.
Waterways
Stuttgart has an inland port in Hedelfingen. This port is on the Neckar river.
Sports in Stuttgart
Football is the most popular sport in Stuttgart. The city has two main football teams: 'The Reds' and 'The Blues'.
Football Teams
- The Reds, VfB Stuttgart, are the most famous local club. They play in the German Bundesliga. VfB was founded in 1893. They have won five German titles, most recently in 2007. Their home ground is the MHPArena in Bad Cannstatt.
- The Blues, Stuttgarter Kickers, are the second most important football team. They play in a lower division at the smaller Gazi Stadium.
Other Sports
Stuttgart has teams in many other sports:
- Handball: TV Bittenfeld plays in the men's Handball-Bundesliga.
- Volleyball: The women's team Allianz MTV Stuttgart plays in the top German league. They have won German championships.
- Ice Hockey: The Stuttgart Rebels EC play in a regional league.
- Water Polo: SV Cannstatt won the German championship in 2006.
- American Football: The Stuttgart Scorpions play in the German Football League. The Stuttgart Surge also plays in the European League of Football.
- Australian Football: The Stuttgart Emus are one of only six teams in Germany.
- Tennis: TC Weissenhof is a successful women's tennis team.
- Field Hockey: HTC Stuttgarter Kickers is a very successful club.
Sporting Events
Stuttgart has hosted many major sporting events:
- The 1974 FIFA World Cup and 2006 FIFA World Cup (football).
- The 1993 World Championships in Athletics.
- The 2007 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships.
- The annual MercedesCup tennis tournament.
- Events at the Porsche Arena and Schleyerhalle.
Global Connections: International Relations
Stuttgart is twinned with several cities around the world. This means they have special friendly relationships.
Sister Cities
St Helens, United Kingdom (1948)
Cardiff, United Kingdom (1955)
St. Louis, United States (1960)
Strasbourg, France (1962)
Mumbai, India (1968)
Menzel Bourguiba, Tunisia (1971)
Cairo, Egypt (1979)
Łódź, Poland (1988)
Brno, Czech Republic (1989)
Samara, Russia (1992)
Some city districts also have sister cities:
- Bad Cannstatt is twinned with Újbuda (Budapest), Hungary.
- Vaihingen is twinned with Melun, France.
- Zuffenhausen is twinned with La Ferté-sous-Jouarre, France.
Friendships
Stuttgart also has friendly relations with:
Ōgaki, Japan
Nanjing, China
Shavei Tzion, Israel
Images for kids
-
Stuttgart from Weinsteige Road
-
The Markthalle Stuttgart (Stuttgart Market Hall)
-
The 216-meter Fernsehturm Stuttgart (Stuttgart Television Tower) at night
-
Castle Rosenstein
-
Neues Schloss at night
-
The Hegel Museum, birthplace of Hegel
-
Stuttgart annual Christmas Market
-
Old downtown area of Stuttgart
-
Romantic view on the downtown area seen from upper Lenzhalde
-
The Haus der Wirtschaft (House of Commerce)
-
Schlossplatz
-
The grave chapel atop the Württemberg
-
The mild climate and hilly landscape are perfect for viticulture, as the Romans discovered. Pictured are vineyards near Obertürkheim.
-
View of Stuttgart from atop the Birkenkopf
-
View from the Killesbergpark
-
Neckar river flowing through Hedelfingen and Obertürkheim
-
Vineyards on the Neckar river in the Mühlhausen area of Stuttgart during the Autumn of 2006
See also
In Spanish: Stuttgart para niños
