Mannheim is a large city of almost 330,000 residents that lies at the juncture of the River Rhine and the River Neckar in the Federal State of Baden-Wurttemberg in south-western Germany. Standing at the mid-point of the 40 kilometre wide Rhineland plains, Mannheim is one of the most important economic centres and largest areas of industry in the Federal Republic and part of the Rhine-Neckar Metropolitan Region, which itself is the 7th largest economic conurbation in Germany. Mannheim is also the second largest city in Baden-Wurttemberg after Stuttgart, the capital of the region, which lies 140 kilometres to the south-east.
Generally speaking Mannheim is not considered to be a major tourist destination, although with a varied and interesting multi-cultural society that exists in the city it is possible to enjoy a couple of days looking around and seeing some of the sights. Due to the city’s industrial activity before and during World War II, Mannheim was heavily targeted by bombers during the war and much of its former glory was destroyed with only a few historic buildings and structures remaining.
Founded in 1606, Mannheim was originally laid out as a lattice network of roads around the Friedrichsburg Fortress, the first stone of which was laid by Elector Friedrich IV. These original fortifications were razed to the ground in 1799, however today much of this original grid pattern, which is known as a Quadrate system, still exists. During the 18th century Mannheim was an important centre for music and home to the Mannheim Music School, a music centre of European repute. It was from the Court of the Electoral Palatinate that significant development occurred in classical orchestral music, changing into the form we know today!! This inventive flair is part of Mannheim culture as the city is also home to Karl Drais, inventor of the running machine and the forerunner of the bicycle, and Carl Benz inventor of the horseless carriage!! Today Mannheim is still a cultural centre and bisecting the centre of Mannheim is the Kulturmeile (Culture Mile) along which can be found the State Museum of Technology and Work, the Reiss-Engelhorn Museum, the Municipal Art Gallery, the National Theatre and the Rosengarten Concert Hall.
The main route through the squares leads to the enormous 18th century Mannheim Castle or Kurfurstliche Schloss, which is one of the largest Baroque palaces in Europe and reflects the political ambition of the Palatinate-Wittelsbach monarchs!! It is the landmark of the city and now houses the University of Mannheim and its more than 13,000 students. The symbol of the city however is the Wasserturm, or Water Tower, which is located to the east of the city centre. Built in 1886 this huge tower is 60 metres high and holds 2000 cubic metres of water, it is surrounded by designed parklands which, together with the Festival Hall and Art Gallery, were a model of modern urban design prior to World War I!! The Art Gallery stands on the south side of the Friedrichsplatzes and contains one of the most important 19th and 20th century collections of paintings and sculptures, with its main focus being on Germany and France. The city is also home to several interesting structures such as the Fernmeldetrum, a 205 metres high concrete communications tower which includes a glassed observation deck and a revolving restaurant, the historic Observatory, the Planetarium and the Christ Church. Mannheim is also a Green City and supports several parkland areas with the Luisenpark considered to be one of the most beautiful parks in Europe.
Surrounded by the beautiful countryside of Baden-Wurttemberg, Mannheim is a central location from which to tour the vineyards of the Weinstrasse which grow along the River Rhine, enjoy the Bergstrasse which stretches across the western edge of the Obenwald, visit the historic city of Heidelberg or take a trip to see the solid Hambach Castle.
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