International School on Fusion Technologies

Tourist Information

Main sights

  • The Durlacher Turmberg has a look-out tower (hence its name). It is a former keep dating back to the 13th century.
  • The Stadtgarten is a recreational area near the main railway station (Hauptbahnhof) and was rebuilt in 1967 during the 'Federal Garden Show' (Bundesgartenschau). It is also the site of the Karlsruhe Zoo.
  • The city has two botanical gardens: the municipal Botanischer Garten Karlsruhe which forms part of the Palace complex, and the Botanischer Garten der Universität Karlsruhe which is maintained by the university (KIT Campus South).
  • The Marktplatz has a the stone pyramid marking the grave of the city's founder. Built in 1825, it is the emblem of Karlsruhe. The city is nicknamed the fan city (Die Fächerstadt) because of its design layout, with straight streets radiating fan-like from the Palace.
  • The Karlsruhe Palace (Schloss) is an interesting piece of architecture; the adjacent Schlossgarten includes the Botanical Garden with a palm, cactus and orchid house, and walking paths through the woods to the north.
  • The so-called Kleine Kirche (Little Church), built between 1773 and 1776, is the oldest church of Karlsruhe's city centre.
  • Another sight is the Rondellplatz with its 'Constitution Building Columns' (1826). It is dedicated to Baden's first constitution in 1818, which was one of the most liberal of its time. The Münze (mint), erected in 1826/27, was also built by Weinbrenner.
  • The St. Stephan parish church is one of the masterpieces of neoclassical church architecture in Southern Germany. Weinbrenner, who built this church between 1808 and 1814, orientated it to the Pantheon, Rome.
  • The neo-gothic Grand Ducal burial chapel, built between 1889 and 1896, is a mausoleum rather than a church, and is located in the middle of the forest.
  • The main cemetery of Karlsruhe is the oldest park-like cemetery in Germany. The crematorium was the first to be built in the style of a church.
  • Karlsruhe is also home to a Museum of Natural History, an opera house (the 'Baden State Theatre'), as well as a number of independent theatres and art galleries. The State Art Gallery, built in 1846 by Heinrich Hübsch, displays paintings and sculptures from six centuries, particularly from France, Germany and Holland. Karlsruhe's newly renovated art museum is one of the most important art museums in Baden-Württemberg. Further cultural attractions are scattered throughout Karlsruhe's various incorporated suburbs.
  • The Scheffel Association or literary society (established in 1924), is the largest literary organisation in Germany. Today the Prinz-Max-Palais, built between 1881 and 1884 in neoclassical style, houses the organisation and includes its museum.
  • Breweries and buildings in art nouveau style were predominant in the western city
  • Due to population growth in the later 19th Century, Karlsruhe developed several suburban areas (Vorstadt) in the Gründerzeit and especially Art nouveau styles of architecture, with many preserved examples.
  • Karlsruhe is also home to the Majolika-Manufaktur, the only art-ceramics pottery studio in Germany. Founded in 1901, it is located in the Schlossgarten. A 'blue streak' (Blauer Strahl) consisting of 1645 ceramic tiles, connects the studio with the Palace. It is the world's largest ceramic artwork.
  • Another tourist attraction is the Centre for Art and Media (Zentrum für Kunst und Medientechnologie, or ZKM), which is located in a converted ammunition factory.

 

Palaces

The Karlsruhe Palace (Schloss):
The Karlsruhe palace was built in 1715 in the style of Versailles as the residence of Margrave Karl Wilhelm of Baden-Durlach and completely renovated in 1746. In 1921, the Baden State Museum took up residence here.
The park surrounding the palace provides a place for sport, games and relaxation in the middle of the city.

The Gottesaue Palace:
The Gottesaue palace in Gottesauer Strasse was constructed in 1588 and therefore, is one of the oldest buildings in Karlsruhe. It was badly damaged by bombs in 1944 and lay in ruins for a long period of time until it was eventually renovated completely. It now contains the State College of Music.

The Palace of the Hereditary Grand Duke:
The palace of the Hereditary Grand Duke Friedrich II (1857-1928) is situated on Herrenstrasse 45a. It was built between 1891 and 1897.
In 1950, the Federal Supreme Court moved into the building.

Museums, Art Galleries

Zentrum für Kunst und Medientechnologie (ZKM) (Center for Arts and Media Technology):
Lorenzstraße 19, Phone: (0721) 8100-0
ZKM is a modern museum which involves interactive, hands-on installations. It also contains the Museum of New Art which holds one of the largest media art collections in the world. It attempts to combine media art with the painting, sculpture and photography of the past 25 years.
Wednesday-Friday 10.00-18.00
Saturday and Sunday 11.00-18.00
The museum is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

Badisches Landesmuseum (Baden State Museum):
Ranks among the great art museums in Germany; located in the Karlsruhe Palace (Schloss). Phone: (0721) 926 -6514
Tuesday-Thursday 10.00-17.00
Friday-Sunday and on holidays 10.00-18.00
Closed on Mondays

Staatliche Kunsthalle und Gallerie der Orangerie (The State Art Gallery and the Gallery of the Orangery):
Hans-Thoma-Strasse 2-6. Phone: (0721) 926 -6788
One of the great museums in the south-west of Germany. The gallery contains works from all epochs of German painting. The Gallery of the Orangery hosts the oldest Children's Museum of Germany
Tuesday-Friday 10.00-17.00
Saturday, Sunday and on holidays 10.00-18.00
Closed on Mondays

Museum am Friedrichsplatz (The Regional Collection of Natural History):
Erbprinzenstrasse 13 at Friedrichsplatz, Phone. (0721) 175 -2111
Located in the city's first Renaissance style building. It exhibits fossils, minerals and prehistoric animals as well as an aquarium containing amphibians, fish and invertebrates.
Tuesday-Friday 09.30-17.00
Saturday, Sunday and on holidays 10.00-18.00
Closed on Mondays

Prinz-Max-Palais:
Karlstrasse 10, Phone: (0721) 133 -4234
Gallery hosting valuable works of artistic merit; collections illustrating municipal history.
Tuesday, Friday and Sunday 10.00-18.00
Thursday 10.00-19.00
Saturday 10.00-14.00
Closed on Mondays

Parks and Gardens

Municipal Park with Zoo:
The municipal park is situated in the south of Karlsruhe near to the Central Railway Station and consists of 22 hectares (the biggest park area in the town). It contains a rosary, Japanese garden, swan lake and a rowing lake (with electric boats). The park also includes the Lauterberg hill at the top of which it is possible to view the whole town and the Karlsruhe Zoo.
Monday-Sunday 9.00 till nightfall

Schlossgarten (Palace Garden):
Monday-Sunday 6.00 till nightfall
Free admission.

Botanischer Garten (Botanical Garden):
Located behind the State Art Gallery in Hans-Thoma-Strasse 6
Monday-Sunday 6.00 till nightfall
Free admission.

Tropical greenhouses (at the Botanical Garden):
Tuesday-Friday 10.00-16.45
Saturday, Sunday and on holidays 10.00-17.45
Closed on Mondays

Günther-Klotz-Anlage:
Large park along the banks of the Alb River. To be reached by tram line 6 in the direction of Oberreut till EUROPAHALLE.
Ideal for pick-nicks, walks, scating, jogging etc. A place where you can meet all age-groups of Karlsruhe people.

Theatre

Information concerning theatre performances and concerts can be obtained from
Tourist Information
Bahnhofplatz 6

or www.karlsruhe.de

Cinemas

Schauburg:
Marienstrasse 16 in the south part of the town.
English films are regularly shown here as well as all the new releases of which details can be found in the program produced each month. Every summer the Schauburg arranges open air cinema nights which take place in the grounds of the Gottesaue Palace. It is also possible to go to a Sneak Preview at the Schauburg. This involves the showing of an international film although you are not told what the film will be until you are inside the cinema itself!

"Das Kino", Prinz-Max-Palais:
Karlstrasse 10, Phone: (0721) - 9374714
International films in original version.