In the Stuttgart Region nature and technology, tradition and innovation go hand in hand. Its span ranges from a vibrant commercial metropolis to a wealth of outstanding cultural options. And all this is located in an idyllic, topographically delightful countryside. Picturesque castles, luxuriant gardens, Moorish architecture and the world's first television tower: these are just a few of the treasures which the state capital of Baden-Württemberg has to offer.

Stuttgart is closely linked to the automobile. The Stuttgart Region is home to the famous automobile producers Porsche and Daimler. This is where the automobile was invented. Tribute is paid to this groundbreaking development in the two spectacular automobile museums of Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, which have long since become international crowd pullers, bringing to life more than 125 years of automotive history in a vivid and tangible way.

The other end of the scale, historically speaking, is represented by the former royal palace of Ludwigsburg, the "Swabian Versailles". This is Germany's largest surviving Baroque palace complex. 452 rooms in 18 buildings convey a fascinating impression of the former splendours of life at the royal court, which already attracted Casanova to the Stuttgart Region. The palace stands in a large park of some 30 hectares with its "Baroque in Bloom" flower displays, illustrating magnificent garden design from several centuries.

Stuttgart boasts a wealth of art and culture: the Stuttgart State Gallery, the Stuttgart Museum of Art and the Württemberg State Museum, the Kunsthalle Tübingen, the Galerie Stihl in Waiblingen and the National Schiller Museum in Marbach are only a few of the countless top-calibre museums in the region. In addition, an outstanding music scene with first-class festivals, and the famous Stuttgart State Theatres, the largest triple-branch establishment of its kind in Europe, have all contributed to Stuttgart's international reputation as a cultural metropolis.

Furthermore, Stuttgart has a long tradition of viniculture and is one of Germany's largest wine-growing communities. Its vineyards stretch right into the centre of the city. There's no shortage of culinary delights, either: with no fewer than six Michelin-starred restaurants, Baden-Württemberg's state capital ranks among Germany's best.

Stuttgart's popular traditional festivals provide ideal opportunities for enjoyment and making merry. At the end of August, lovers and connoisseurs of fine wines gather at the Stuttgart Wine Village. The exuberant Cannstatt Beer Festival is celebrated at the end of September. And before the year draws to a close the enchanting atmosphere of Advent spreads throughout the region with the festive Christmas markets in Stuttgart, Esslingen and Ludwigsburg.

This link between old and new, past and present is also to be found outside Stuttgart. It is characteristic of South Germany and generates the special flair and extraordinary charm of many of Baden-Württemberg's towns. Southwest Germany is an area offering a wealth of culture, enjoyment and relaxation, not to mention the diversity of its countryside. Delightful locations on the banks of the Rhine, the Neckar or the Danube, castles and parks, art galleries and automobile museums, the vintners' traditional "broom taverns", starred gourmet restaurants and – last but not least – the exquisite wines make a visit to the towns situated between Lake Constance, the Swabian Alb and the Black Forest a treat for all the senses.

Contact:
Stuttgart-Marketing GmbH
"i-Punkt" Tourist Information, Königstraße 1a, Stuttgart
Phone: +49 (0)711 22 28-0, E-Mail: info@stuttgart-tourist.de

www.stuttgart-tourist.com

Mercedes-Benz Museum

The Mercedes-Benz Museum is the only museum in the world that can document the unbroken 125-year history of the automobile from its very beginning. Over an area covering 16,500 square metres on nine levels, the exhibition presents 160 vehicles and over 1,500 exhibits. The Museum sees itself as a place of innovation and shows that history is also constantly looking forward.

During a two-hour tour of the exhibition, visitors experience a unique journey through automotive history. Transported by lift to the uppermost level of the museum, the visitor arrives back in the year 1886, where two museum tours gradually spiral their way down through the extensive collection and back to the museum entrance.

The exhibition at the Mercedes-Benz Museum is divided into Legend rooms and Collection rooms. The Legend rooms narrate the history of the Mercedes-Benz brand, subdividing it into themes and eras. The rooms are arranged chronologically around a fully staged exhibition. The Collection rooms thematically document the breadth and diversity of the brand portfolio.

And what follows over 125 years of automotive history? The present and the future. The Museum Shop on the lowest level offers a comprehensive range of items for old and young and the world’s largest selection of Mercedes-Benz products. Fascination to take away – perhaps in the form of a model for the living room.

Top-quality enjoyment is available from the experience of driving a Mercedes-Benz: The café-bar on level 1 tempts visitors with a range of delicious confectionary, sandwiches and coffee specialities. The restaurant invites guests to a culinary pit stop – a place where they can relax in style and fortify themselves with top-class cuisine before heading off to their next objective.

The Mercedes-Benz Museum looks forward to your visit!

Contact:
Mercedes-Benz Museum
Mercedesstraße 100, 70372 Stuttgart
Phone: +49 (0)711 17 30-000, E-Mail: classic@daimler.com

Opening hours:
Tuesdays to Sundays 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Box office closing time 5 p.m.)
Closed on Mondays

www.mercedes-benz-classic.com/museum