City Information

The earliest dated records of "Stuotgarten" are from the year 1229. In the 13th century Stuttgart obtained it’s City status. However it was not till the 14th century when the Count of Württemberg took up residency within The Old Palace, Stuttgart, that the city gained any importance. During the first half of the 19th century the history of Stuttgart changed. Stuttgart became more an industrial region instead of the regal region that it was. Men like Gottlieb Daimler and Robert Bosch started a new era in the history of technology and changed the history of Stuttgart. During the Second World War the city was heavily damaged by l air raids. The buildings however, were quickly restored after the war, and Stuttgart became the Capital of Baden-Württemberg in 1952.

Surrounded by a wonderful panorama of rolling green hills, forests and vineyards Stuttgart has one of the most beautiful settings in all Europe. This city also has many attractions for visitors, including two castles, the outstanding Staatsgalerie art museum and the unique combined zoo and botanical gardens. This motor industry town is also a center of Germany's lively musical scene.

Stuttgart is known for its cultural life, in particular the Staatstheater and Staatsgalerie. The Staatstheater contains an opera house and three smaller theaters for opera, ballet, theatre and concerts. The world-renowned Stuttgart Opera won the prestigious "Opera of the year" (Germany/Austria/Switzerland) award for five years running (1998-2002). The city also offers two Broadway-style Musical theaters, the Apollo and the Palladium Theater (each approx. 1800 seats).

The famous "Wilhelma" is Germany's only combined zoological and botanical garden. The whole compound has been built around 1850 as a summer palace in Moorish style for King Wilhelm I of Württemberg. Close to the Wilhelma, there are the Stuttgart city districts of Bad Cannstatt and Berg with the second largest mineral spas in Europe.

A popular attraction is the “Cannstatter Wasen” the beer festival second only to the Oktoberfest in Munich and the Christmas Marketis of Stuttgart is the largest and one of the oldest and most beautiful in all Europe.

The Stadium

This approximately 54,000 all seater stadium is home to VFB Stuttgart. Previously named Neckar-Stadion, back when it was built in 1933, it was renamed to Gottlieb-Daimler-Stadion.

There were plenty of construction on the stadium during the years, including in the late 1940s, a new stand was built, and in the mid 1950s as well as in the early 1970s, the stands were extended.