Holiday in Karlsruhe

About Karlsruhe

Karlsruhe is the only large German city that was completely planned from scratch. Margrave Karl Wilhelm of Baden-Durlach founded it in 1715 and designed the layout like a fan: 32 streets radiate from the castle tower like sun rays — hence the nickname "Fan City". This unique city plan is still impressively visible from the air today. The Karlsruhe Palace, the starting point of the fan, houses the Badisches Landesmuseum with collections from prehistory to the present. The expansive palace garden behind it is one of the most beautiful urban parks in Germany and invites visitors to stroll year-round. Karlsruhe is home to the Federal Constitutional Court and the Federal Court of Justice — the "Residence of Law". The building of the Constitutional Court at Schlossplatz is architecturally striking and symbolizes the supporting pillars of German democracy. The ZKM (Center for Art and Media) in a former munitions factory is one of the world's most important museums for digital art and media technology. Interactive installations, AI art, and media sculptures make the ZKM an experience far beyond traditional museums. Right next door is the Municipal Gallery with significant art from the 19th to 21st centuries. The Turmberg in Durlach, accessible by funicular railway, offers the best panoramic view over the Upper Rhine Valley to the Vosges. Karlsruhe's location at the edge of the Black Forest and its proximity to the Palatinate and Alsace make it an ideal starting point for excursions.