Stuttgart

Stuttgart is the capital and largest city of the German state of Baden-Württemberg. Located on the Neckar river in a fertile valley, it is known for its beautiful hills, valleys, and parks. With a population of over 600,000, Stuttgart is the sixth largest city in Germany and a major economic and cultural center.

The city is famous for being the “cradle of the automobile,” home to iconic brands like Mercedes-Benz and Porsche. Visitors can explore automobile museums and enjoy the city’s vibrant tourism scene. Stuttgart has a long history, dating back to ancient times, and has grown to become a key hub for industry, finance, and transportation in Europe.

Etymology

Stuttgart is often called the "Schwabenmetropole" (English: Swabian metropolis) because it is in the center of Swabia and its people speak a special local dialect. The city's name comes from an old German word, Stuotgarten, which means "stud farm". It was founded in 950 AD by Duke Liudolf of Swabia to breed warhorses.

In some local dialects, Stuttgart is pronounced "Schtuegert" or "Stuagart", often with the middle T sound dropped.

History

Main article: History of Stuttgart

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Stuttgart.

Stuttgart has a rich history dating back to ancient times. Originally, the important location in the Neckar river valley was Bad Cannstatt, where the Romans built a fort around 90 AD to protect the vineyards and a road. After the Romans left, the area was later settled by the Alamanni and then became part of various duchies and kingdoms, including the Duchy of Swabia and the Duchy of Württemberg.

During the Middle Ages, Stuttgart grew from a small settlement into a more significant town. It became the capital of the County of Württemberg in the late 15th century. The city saw many changes through the early modern period, including periods under Habsburg rule and the impacts of the Thirty Years' War. Stuttgart became the capital of the Kingdom of Württemberg in 1805.

In the 19th century, Stuttgart began to modernize and expand, especially with the arrival of the railway. The city became a center for industry, particularly in the automotive sector, with figures like Karl Benz and Gottlieb Daimler starting the automotive industry there. Stuttgart played a role in the events of 1848 and later became part of the German Empire in 1871.

Throughout the 20th century, Stuttgart faced significant challenges, including both World Wars and periods of occupation. The city was heavily bombed during World War II but was rebuilt and continued to grow, becoming a major economic and cultural center in Germany. Today, Stuttgart remains an important city in Europe, known for its contributions to automotive technology, culture, and education.

Geography

Stuttgart is the capital of the German state of Baden-Württemberg. It lies in a valley called the Stuttgarter Kessel, near the Neckar river. The city is about an hour away from the Black Forest and the Swabian Jura.

Stuttgart sits at an elevation between 207 meters and 549 meters above sea level. The city covers an area of 207.35 km². It is surrounded by forests and vineyards, which gives it the nickname "between forest and vines."

Landmarks and culture

Stuttgart, the capital of Baden-Württemberg, Germany, is rich in history and culture. Its inner city centers around Schlossplatz, the largest square, which connects shopping areas, parks, castles, and museums. Königstraße is Germany's longest pedestrianized shopping street.

Despite damage in World War II, many historic buildings remain, such as the Stiftskirche from the 12th century and the Old Castle from the 15th century. Modern architecture also thrives, with notable structures like the Hauptbahnhof railway station and the Württembergische Landesbibliothek state library.

Stuttgart boasts numerous parks and gardens, including the Green U park system and Rosensteinpark, which houses the Wilhelma zoo and botanical gardens. The city also features several lakes, such as Max-Eyth-See, and cemeteries like Hoppenlaufriedhof and Pragfriedhof.

Stuttgart is culturally vibrant, home to the State Theatre and State Gallery. The Stuttgart Ballet and Radio Symphony Orchestra are renowned. The city hosts many events, including a large Christmas Market and various festivals throughout the year.

The city is also known for its museums, such as the Old and New State Galleries, the Mercedes-Benz Museum, and the Porsche Museum, showcasing art and automotive history.

Demographics

Stuttgart is the sixth largest city in Germany, with a population of about 630,000 people. The city grew significantly in the 1960s due to its famous automobile companies like Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, attracting many workers from countries such as Turkey, Greece, India, Italy, and former Yugoslavian countries.

Today, more than half of Stuttgart’s residents are not of local Swabian background. Many people from different parts of the world have moved to Stuttgart for jobs, especially since the 1960s. By 2022, about 47% of the city’s population had a foreign background. The largest groups come from Turkey, Greece, Italy, and Croatia. The city has seen changes in its religious makeup over time, with many people now following different faiths or no religion at all.

Government and politics

Stuttgart has a long history of local governance. In the past, it was managed by officials appointed by local rulers. Today, the city elects a mayor to lead its government.

Stuttgart is the capital of Baden-Württemberg, making it a key political center in Germany. It hosts important government offices and the State Parliament. Over the years, different political groups have led the city, reflecting the changing views of its residents.

Economy

The Stuttgart area is famous for its high-tech industry. Big companies like Mercedes-Benz Group, Porsche, Robert Bosch GmbH, and Hewlett-Packard have their main offices there.

Stuttgart is also a key place for science and research. It has many universities and research centers, including the University of Stuttgart and institutes of the German Aerospace Centre (DLR). The city has Germany's second largest stock market, the Stuttgart Stock Exchange.

Stuttgart has a long history with wine and beer. Wine grapes are grown in the city, and Stuttgart is one of Germany’s largest wine-growing cities. The city also has well-known breweries like Stuttgarter Hofbräu.

Education

Stuttgart has been a home to important thinkers and writers, such as Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, Friedrich Schiller, and Friedrich Hölderlin. The city is known for its engineering and research, with many institutions of applied research, including several from the Fraunhofer Society.

Stuttgart has many places for higher learning. The University of Stuttgart is one of the biggest, focusing on engineering and technology. Other schools include the University of Hohenheim for agriculture and business, the State University of Music and Performing Arts Stuttgart, and the State Academy of Fine Arts in Stuttgart. There are also schools for media, technology, and cooperative education. The city is also home to the International School of Stuttgart, which offers special international programs for students.

Media and publishing

Stuttgart is an important city for media and publishing. The public broadcasting company Südwestrundfunk (SWR) has one of its main offices here, focusing on the southwestern German states of Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate. The city is also home to many famous publishing companies, such as the Georg von Holtzbrinck Publishing Group, Kohlhammer Verlag, and Motor Presse. Local newspapers like the Stuttgarter Zeitung and Stuttgarter Nachrichten are also published in Stuttgart. Additionally, there is an American Forces Network station that broadcasts for people connected with the US military.

Transport

Stuttgart has worked to improve its air quality by creating a low emission zone, similar to other German cities. This zone affects all vehicles entering certain parts of the city.

The city has a light rail system called the Stuttgart Stadtbahn, which runs underground in busy areas. Stuttgart also has buses, a suburban railway called the Stuttgart S-Bahn, and special railways like the Zahnradbahn rack railway and a funicular railway. The main train station connects Stuttgart to many German cities and some international destinations.

Stuttgart Airport serves the city and is about 13 km south of the center. The city is connected by several Autobahns and has many expressways and road tunnels. There is also an inland port on the Neckar river.

Sport

Football is very popular in Stuttgart. The city is home to two well-known football teams: VfB Stuttgart, often called "The Reds," and Stuttgarter Kickers, known as "The Blues." VfB Stuttgart, founded in 1893, plays in the top German league and has won five national titles. They play their home games at MHPArena. Stuttgarter Kickers, while not as famous now, had important years when Jürgen Klinsmann began his career there.

Stuttgart also has teams in other sports. There is a men's handball team, TVB 1898 Stuttgart, and a women's volleyball team, Allianz MTV Stuttgart, which has won German championships. The city has ice hockey, water polo, American football, and even Australian football teams. Stuttgart has hosted big international sports events, such as the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championship, showing its importance in the world of sports.

International relations

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Germany

Twin towns – sister cities

Stuttgart is twinned with several cities around the world, including:

• 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 twin towns, such as Bad Cannstatt with Újbuda (Budapest), Hungary.

Friendships

Stuttgart also has friendly relations with:

• Ōgaki, Japan
• Nanjing, China
• Shavei Tzion, Israel

People

Main article: List of people from Stuttgart

Stuttgart has been home to many notable individuals throughout history. These people have made important contributions in various fields such as arts, sciences, sports, and more. The city continues to attract talented individuals from around the world.

In popular culture

Stuttgart has appeared in several games, novels, and movies. In the 2003 video game Command & Conquer: Generals Zero Hour, players defend the city against attackers. Characters and locations from Stuttgart also appear in games like Team Fortress 2 and Overwatch.

The city is also featured in literature and films. For example, in the 2005 novel The Book Thief, one of the main characters lives there. In the 2012 film The Avengers, a key event takes place in Stuttgart, though the scenes were filmed elsewhere.