Introduction to Stuttgart

203km (126 miles) SE of Frankfurt, 222km (138 miles) NW of Munich, 126km (78 miles) SE of Heidelberg

Two-thirds of the land inside the city limits is devoted to parks, gardens, and woodland. Yet Stuttgart is one of Germany's largest manufacturing cities, the home of Mercedes, Porsche, and Zeiss optical equipment. It's also the site of international trade fairs and congresses.

As a cultural center, Stuttgart is without peer in southwestern Germany. The Stuttgart Ballet is known throughout the world, and its State Opera and Philharmonic Orchestra are also highly regarded. In addition, Stuttgart boasts an abundance of theater groups, cultural festivals, and museums, and is also the largest winegrowing city in Germany.

The name "Stuttgart" comes from a stud farm owned by one of the dukes of Swabia, son of Emperor Otto the Great. By 1427, Stuttgart had become the capital and residence of the counts of Württemberg. The city expanded under the reign of Kaiser Wilhelm I (1816-64). At the turn of the 20th century, it had a population of 175,000. By World War I, Stuttgart's landmass extended to the Neckar River.

During World War II, bombing attacks leveled 60% of Stuttgart's buildings. Not one of its landmarks or historic structures survived intact. After the war, Stuttgart became the capital of the newly formed state of Baden-Württemberg (many still call it by its former name, Swabia). Stuttgart's population today is about 600,000.