The city of poets and philosophers, of tinkerers and inventors. This is where the great philosopher Hegel was born. This is where the world's first gasoline engine, the first electric hand-drill, the brassiere and the file were invented.
High Tech and High Culture are ideally combined in Stuttgart, and thus culture of the highest level can be found here: awarded six times as opera house of the year and the world-famous Stuttgart Ballet. Plus the collections of the Classical Modern period in Stuttgart's State Gallery and Europe's largest zoo and botanical gardens, „Wilhelma“, with over 9000 animal species and magnificent plants.
In practically no other region in Germany are there such lively celebrations as in Stuttgart. The Stuttgart Beer Festival is a huge draw - things are in full swing here when the festival beer, which goes down very well and is quite spicy, flows freely. Wine aficionados and wine connoisseurs gather at the Stuttgart Wine Village to enjoy the fruits of the summer in the cozy wine arbors.
Surrounded by vineyards, one has a fabulous view of the city and of the nearby Black Forest from the numerous half-way points („Halbhöhen“) or from the 217 meter high TV tower. Gourmet stars point the way to high-class cuisine and to the cosy Swabian specialty restaurants.
Stuttgart - Art & Culture
Historic Buildings The magnificent Neues Schloss (New Palace), a Baroque building, was once the residence of the kings of Württemberg. The spacious castle square with its 30 meter high central jubilee pillar forms the heart of the city and is a popular meeting-place for the inhabitants of Stuttgart. The Altes Schloss (Old Palace), dating back to the 16th century, stands today on the spot where Duke Liudorf von Schwaben’s horses once grazed. This castle has a marvellous three-storied inner courtyard with arcades, which was built in the style of the Italian Renaissance. The building impressively reflects the splendor of the former royal capital of Württemberg.
Art
The Neue Staatsgalerie (New State Gallery), designed by the British star architect, James Stirling, is considered to be a masterpiece of postmodern architecture. Predominantly 20th century art, including outstanding works by Matisse, Kandinsky, Picasso, Chagall, Beuys and Newman is displayed in the futuristic building with its vibrant colors.
The spectacular glass cube of the Kunstmuseum (Stuttgart Museum of Art) right in the heart of Stuttgart captivates by virtue of its elegant simplicity. Its highlight is the largest public collection – over 300 paintings, drawings and graphics – of the works of Otto Dix, one of the leading representatives of the Neue Sachlichkeit (New Objectivity) movement.
Music The Stuttgart Staatsoper (Stuttgart State Opera), awarded six times as opera house of the year, can call itself world class without reservations. Further musical highlights are offered by the performances of the International Bach Academy Stuttgart (European Music Festival), under the successful direction of Professor Helmuth Rilling.
Theater Let the curtain rise - on culture par excellence in Stuttgart. There are more than 40 theaters with extraordinarily varied programs to choose from. The celebrated „Stuttgart Ballet“ dances in the world’s top league on the magnificent stage of the state opera house. Every evening world-class acrobats and top artists enthral audiences in the Friedrichsbau Varieté which has a long tradition. Back in the 1950s, it was one of the best theatres in Europe featuring artists such as Josephine Baker, Charlie Rivel or Crock. The new Variety Theatre in the Friedrichsbau has now again attained a level worthy of a world city. Marlene Charell, Robert Kreis, the Kessler Twins and many other famous artists guarantee an entertaining evening.
Museum Another big draw for visitors to Stuttgart is the sensational Mercedes-Benz World, which opened in May 2006. On a total area of approx. 17.000 sq.m. spread over 9 levels, the New Mercedes-Benz Museum shows around 160 vehicles on permanent display, including not only the earliest models – such as the Gottlieb Daimler Motor Carriage and the Karl Benz patent Motor Car – but also the latest series production vehicles. One particularly impressive exhibit is the fully armour-plated luxury limousine formerly used by the Japanese emperor Hirohito. Autumn 2008 will also see the opening of another spectacular museum by Porsche, showing more than 80 serial vehicles, prototypes and racing cars.
Stuttgart - Events & Festivals
Lets go to the „Wasen“! Every year in the end of september the Stuttgart Beer Festival begins with the traditional tapping of the beer barrel and the three obligatory gun salutes into the blue festival sky. In three huge brewery festival tents „Goeckele“ (chickens) and „Festbier“ (festival beer) and the decorative orchestras in traditional costume make sure that there is cheerful entertainment and a lively beer festival mood. The merrymaking goes on for 16 days, around the 24 meter high fruit column, the symbol of the festival, which was established in 1818 as a harvest celebration. It has attractions involving rides, such as super-loopings, wild-water trips or ghost trains and is one of the largest and most beautiful beer festivals in the world.
At the end of August wine connoisseurs and aficionados from all over the world come to Stuttgart, the largest wine-growing city among the German cities, in order to taste the fruits of the summer at the popular Stuttgart Wine Village. Over 350 wines of Württemberg are served in more than 120 cosy wine arbors. Swabian specialties like „Maultaschen“ and „Käsespätzle“ are served in accompaniment.
Every year in August the elegant Stuttgart Summer Festival takes place against the marvellous backdrop of the Neues Schloss (New Palace). Colorful chains of lights, white pavilions, the aroma of Mediterranean delicacies impart a Mediterranean flair and tempt the visitor to linger and enjoy the festive atmosphere under the open sky.
First documented in 1692, Stuttgart’s Christmas market is not only one of the oldest, but also one of the largest and most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe, comprising some 230 stalls on the Marketplace and Schiller Square. Everything sparkles in festive splendour and the smell of mulled wine and cinnamon waffles fills the air. For the youngest visitors to the Christmas market there is an enchanting fairyland on Palace Square and the rustically romantic “Winter Wonderland” skating rink to delight not only skaters. Several Advent concerts round off the festive atmosphere.
Stuttgart - Fairs & Conventions
CMT - international exhibition for caravans, motors and tourism. For nearly 30 years now the CMT has been the annual pilot fair of the travel industry. Every January it supplies the travel destinations around the globe, the travel organizers and transport firms for land, water and air travel and the vacation resorts and holiday regions with a unique testing ground for their products and services.
R+T - specialized international trade fair for shutters, gates / doors and sunscreens As a unique world trade fair in its field, the R+T presents approx. 600 renowned exhibitors showing the latest technology and innovations in the shutter, motorization technology, sunscreen and gates / doors industries. Approximately 50,000 professionals from over 80 countries (more than half of the visitors are from abroad) gather here every year in a lively atmosphere.
Stuttgart - Lifestyle & Entertainment
First-class entertainment is the hallmark of the SI-Erlebnis-Centrum (Musical and Entertainment Center)of Stuttgart. Unique in Europe, it offers excitement and fun on 1000 square meters in its casino, in 19 bars and restaurants offering culinary delicacies as well as in the „Schwabenquelle“, where different kinds of saunas surround the great lagoon pool. Last but not least, the splendor of two magnificent musicals attracts visitors from near and far.
The traditional Vaudeville in Friedrichsbau, featuring world-class acrobats and topnotch artists, captivates the audience every night. On Saturdays there is a midnight show for night-owls.
At night, the unique geographical location of Stuttgart becomes self-evident: situated in the Neckar river valley. Stuttgart is embraced by forests and vine-yards.
Numerous hilltop restaurants, such as the Biergarten auf der Karlshöhe, the Tea House in Weissenburgpark with its romantic atmosphere, or the gourmet restaurant in the 217 meter tall TV Tower, afford a fabulous view of the illuminated city.
Stuttgart - Shopping
The beautiful Markthalle, built exclusively in the Jugendstil style of architecture is a veritable gem. Behind the heavy entrance doors, a paradise of culinary delights is hidden: Fruit and vegetables from all corners of the world are sold here and the aroma of the various spices is bewiching.
In Calwer Strasse, exquisite stores, tucked away behind the facades of pretty gabled and timber-framed houses, invite you to stop by and shop. Here, as well as in Königstrasse, Germany’s largest pedestrian zone, you will find brand names like Boss, Valentino, Jil Sander, Cartier and the large department stores as well as the branches of chain stores.
Wine Region Stuttgart
Due to the long tradition of the local wine culture, the wines produced here are wellknown and appreciated throughout Germany and far beyond its borders. The most popular types of wine are Trollinger, Lemberger, Riesling and Kerner.
Visitors to the Viticulture Museum can see how wine was made more than 100 years ago and also obtain a great deal of interesting and valuable information about winegrowing on the delightfully designed trails. More than 250 different types of wine are available during the Stuttgart Wine Village, which is held every August. Another typical feature of the Suttgart region are the cosy "Besenwirtschaften" (broom taverns) in which the wine producers sell their own wine. They hang a broom over the entrance to the house to show that they welcome guests.
Stuttgart - Culinary
Schwäbische Maultaschen are known and enjoyed the world over. You may use your imagination when it comes to mixing the ingredients, but spinach is a „must“. The filling for the pasta pockets consists of spinach, onions, sausage, eggs, parsley and spices. They are served in classic consomme or braised with onions.
Stuttgart is situated in one of Germany’s great wine growing regions and vineyards reach right into the heart of the city. The most popular wine is the ruby red Trollinger, which is exclusively grown in Württemberg. Trollinger is served in the traditional „broom taverns“, which hang a broom in front of the entrance door, denoting that they are „open for business“. Usually most chairs are taken, so there is a cosy, atmosphere. The taverns own home made wine is enjoyed together with Swabian culinary specialties. The host enhances his guests’ good cheer by playing his mouth organ or harmonica.
The spectacular glass cube of the Kunstmuseum (Stuttgart Museum of Art) right in the heart of Stuttgart captivates by virtue of its elegant simplicity. Its highlight is the largest public collection – over 300 paintings, drawings and graphics – of the works of Otto Dix, one of the leading representatives of the Neue Sachlichkeit (New Objectivity) movement.
At the end of August wine connoisseurs and aficionados from all over the world come to Stuttgart, the largest wine-growing city among the German cities, in order to taste the fruits of the summer at the popular Stuttgart Wine Village. Over 350 wines of Württemberg are served in more than 120 cosy wine arbors. Swabian specialties like „Maultaschen“ and „Käsespätzle“ are served in accompaniment. 
First documented in 1692, Stuttgart’s Christmas market is not only one of the oldest, but also one of the largest and most beautiful Christmas markets in Europe, comprising some 230 stalls on the Marketplace and Schiller Square. Everything sparkles in festive splendour and the smell of mulled wine and cinnamon waffles fills the air. For the youngest visitors to the Christmas market there is an enchanting fairyland on Palace Square and the rustically romantic “Winter Wonderland” skating rink to delight not only skaters. Several Advent concerts round off the festive atmosphere.
The traditional Vaudeville in Friedrichsbau, featuring world-class acrobats and topnotch artists, captivates the audience every night. On Saturdays there is a midnight show for night-owls. 
Numerous hilltop restaurants, such as the Biergarten auf der Karlshöhe, the Tea House in Weissenburgpark with its romantic atmosphere, or the gourmet restaurant in the 217 meter tall TV Tower, afford a fabulous view of the illuminated city.
