Stuttgart's Historical Buildings (Self Guided), Stuttgart

Despite being almost completely destroyed during World War II, Stuttgart boasts a wealth of quite impressive historical architecture. In the city center, carefully rebuilt after the war, you will find a mix of centuries-old castles, churches and other attractive buildings fit to impress anyone with their beauty and peculiar features.

For some serious architectural appreciation of Stuttgart, Schlossplatz is a good place to start. This spacious public square is a home to the Neues Schloss (New Castle), one of the last grand palaces built in the city; its construction lasted from 1746 to 1807.

Among Stuttgart's key landmarks there are some very old, such as the Stiftskirche (Collegiate Church) – Württemberg's first Gothic-style Romanesque basilica, originally constructed between 1276 and 1293. The impressive Altes Schloss (Old Castle), dating from the 10th century, once served as a residence for the Counts and Dukes of Württemberg; now home to the Landesmuseum. The hall-type, Gothic-style Leonhardskirche (Leonard's Church) is Stuttgart's second oldest church, first built in 1337.

The city's more recent architectural jewels include:

Domkirche St. Eberhard (St. Eberhard Cathedral) – home to one of the largest and most important organs in Germany; built between 1808 and 1811;

Königsbau (King’s Building) – an impressive classical edifice, constructed between 1856 and 1860;

Prinzenbau (Prince’s Building) – seat of the Ministry of Justice; dating from the 1600s;

Alte Kanzlei (Old Chancellery) – a mix of Classical and Renaissance styles; originally built between 1544 and 1546; the former seat of the Württemberg Kingdom's government today houses offices of the Ministry of Justice and some other establishments.

To explore these and other historic buildings of Stuttgart in more detail, take this self-guided walking tour.