Possessing a great blend of modernity and history, Mannheim makes for an excellent day trip. Sometimes called the Square City, after Prince Friedrich IV uniquely designed it using parallel lines during the 17th century to provide extra military protection, Mannheim today is also known as the City of Inventions, having given rise to the bicycle, automobile, and tractor. And while it is a city of industry, Mannheim is much more. Here are four places to start your Mannheim adventure.

Step Into the Past at the Baroque Palace

Mannheim’s Baroque Palace is a treat for any and all visitors. Spanning across almost 650,000 square feet, it is the second largest baroque palace in Europe: only Versailles is larger. 

Baroque Era architecture was known for bright colors, delicate and ornate surface elements, and significant grandeur, and the Barockschloss Mannheim has all of these and more. Built under Prince Elector Carl Philip in the 18th century, and revamped in the 19th century at the direction of Napoleon’s daughter Stéphanie de Beauharnais, the palace was known for its liveliness and excellent art, science, and music, with even Mozart performing at the palace.

Today, there are over 800 exhibits inside that are open to the public for viewing, with the royal silverware, the Knight’s Hall, the Library, and a beautiful sparkling diadem being of special interest to most visitors. Open Tuesday through Sunday all year round, the Baroque Palace is an unmissable spot in Mannheim.

Immerse Yourself in Tech at Technoseum

Mannheim’s Technoseum is a delight for technology and science lovers. Explore the history of media as it evolved from telegraphs to modern day smartphones. Play old games and learn about how they worked in one of many interactive exhibits. Learn about the invention of the car and particularly about Mercedes Benz, the world’s first automobile, created in 1886 in Mannheim. 

Technoseum is uniquely engaging for visitors through its special demonstrations. During the day there are over ten different live demonstrations of important technological creations and tools, such as a steam locomotive train, a grain mill, a paper-creating press, a hydroelectric plant, and more. Visitors are even invited to actively participate in many of the demonstrations, allowing an up-close look into the tools that make our world what it is today.

Learn About War History at the Zeitgeschichtliches Museum

The Zeitgeschichtliches Museum, or the Mannheim Museum of Contemporary History, provides incredible historical depth and perspective. Specifically focusing on military and war history, the museum displays local history through exhibits on World War I, World War II, and the German military as it is today. There is also an exhibit dedicated to the American military presence in Germany, and particularly in the Mannheim region over the past 80 years. 

For those interested in the aviation of the past, there is also a section of the museum dedicated to zeppelins, as previously the Schütte-Lanz Company had a shipyard in Mannheim. Another exhibit reflects on the presence of the Third Reich in Mannheim during the Second World War and its consequences. Built in an old bomb shelter, the Zeitgeschichtliches Museum offers a deeper look into the past that is not to be missed.

Take a Walking Tour

From quaint streets to beautiful parks, there is plenty to see on foot in Mannheim. With so much to explore, it can be difficult to even know where to start. Fortunately, there are many different walking tours in Mannheim that will show you different aspects of the city depending on what you are interested in.

For mystery and adventure fans, a self-guided Sherlock Holmes murder mystery tour is the way to go and will enable you to see the city through a different lens of detail than you would otherwise achieve.

Immerse yourself in Mannheim’s artistic side with a Street Art walking tour. For art lovers, this is a perfect way to admire beautiful works and learn about the history of street art in Mannheim and the artists themselves. 

A general walking tour of the city and its main highlights such as the Baroque Palace, the Jesuit Church, and the shopping district is also offered. 

Getting to Mannheim 

By car, Mannheim is approximately 1 hour from Kaiserslautern and Wiesbaden, and 2 hours from Stuttgart. Great train options are also available through Deutsche Bahn.

Featured image by Sina Ettmer Photography / Shutterstock.com