A city of culture and creative energy: Mannheim

Mannheim, a university city on the banks of the Rhine and Neckar rivers, has produced important inventions to keep us on the move. In 1817 Karl Drais built the first two-wheeled draisine, and Carl Benz's first car took to the streets in 1886. The legendary Lanz Bulldog tractor followed in 1921 and Julius Hatry developed the world's first rocket-powered aircraft here in 1929. Inquiring minds clearly feel at home in Mannheim.

The 'chessboard' city centre

Maybe it is the city's clear structure that helps them think. Mannheim is a 'chessboard' city, whose streets between the Neckar river and the castle were laid out in a grid formation in the 17th century. Locals talking to each other about 'C5' or 'E7' are not referring to a game of battleships but where they live or where they are headed. And they have plenty of places to choose from. Mannheim offers a wealth of sights, culinary hotspots, nature and culture, traditional and modern architecture, events and parties, vibrancy and tranquillity. Say checkmate to boredom! All tastes are catered for, whether opera, plays and ballet at the National Theatre, concerts ranging from classical to pop or readings, or a host of other events in independent theatres and venues both conventional and not so conventional. Sights not to be missed include Europe's second largest baroque castle and the water tower, which is set in the middle of one of the loveliest art nouveau architectural ensembles in Europe. Mannheim is also the Rhine-Neckar region's mecca for shopaholics – there is nothing you cannot buy here.

Museums in a class of their own

Three major attractions stand out among Mannheim's sensational museums: the Reiss-Engelhorn Museums, the Technoseum and the Kunsthalle art gallery. The Reiss Engelhorn Museums' collections focus on archaeology, cultures of the world, art and cultural history, photography, antiquity and the history of theatre and music. Approximately 1.2 million objects are housed in the ensemble's four buildings, which have a total exhibition space of 11,300 square metres. The Technoseum explores the parallels between technological and social history and retraces the process of industrialisation from around 1750 to the present day with a number of interactive exhibits. Collections of paintings from German and French Impressionism, New Objectivity, Expressionism, as well as abstract art from the German and French Art Informel movement, can be seen at the Mannheim Kunsthalle. Besides stunning sculptures from the 19th century, the Kunsthalle possesses an extensive international collection of works by 20th-century sculptors. The focus is on Henry Moore, Marino Marini and Max Ernst, but pieces by Auguste Rodin, Alberto Giacometti and Richard Long are also on display. A separate collection is dedicated to the important Expressionist sculptor Wilhelm Lehmbruck, while temporary exhibitions feature contemporary artists.

Cultural city with a creative climate

Culture in Mannheim is colourful, diverse, captivating, experimental – and never boring. Public and private venues such as the Alte Feuerwache, Capitol, Rosengarten and the SAP Arena all help maintain a thriving arts scene, as do the festivals and numerous events arranged by private cultural organisations. Boosted by the presence of institutions such as the University of Music and Performing Arts, Baden-Württemberg Pop Academy, the University of Applied Sciences and the Independent Art Academy, creativity flourishes in Mannheim on an almost unparalleled scale.