57-611: The Friedrichsplatz in Mannheim is one of the most completely preserved neo- Baroque and Art Nouveau structures in Germany. It was laid out in the years following the completion of the Mannheim Water Tower in 1889. On the out-of-town side of the water tower is a water staircase that leads into a large basin with an adjacent fountain. The water feature, which operates from about the beginning of April to mid-October,
114-1507: A not-for-profit initiative, led by Edgar and Frauke Meyer, founded two societies, Bertha Benz Memorial Route e.V. and Bertha Benz Memorial Club e.V., to commemorate Bertha Benz and her historic pioneering deed. On February 25, 2008, the Bertha Benz Memorial Route was officially approved as a Tourist or Scenic Route by the German authorities, a dynamic monument of 194 km of German industrial culture. Mannheim to Pforzheim, approx. 104 km (65 mi), southbound (S): GPS-Download Mannheim , Mannheim -Feudenheim, Ilvesheim , Ladenburg , Schriesheim , Dossenheim , Heidelberg , Leimen , Nußloch , Wiesloch , Mingolsheim , Langenbrücken , Stettfeld , Ubstadt , Bruchsal , Untergrombach , Weingarten , Karlsruhe - Grötzingen , Berghausen , Söllingen , Kleinsteinbach , Wilferdingen , Königsbach , Stein , Eisingen , Pforzheim Pforzheim to Mannheim, approx. 90 km (56 mi), northbound (N): GPS-Download Pforzheim , Bauschlott , Bretten , Gondelsheim , Helmsheim , Heidelsheim , Bruchsal , Forst , Hambrücken , Wiesental , Kirrlach , Reilingen , Hockenheim , Talhaus , Ketsch , Schwetzingen , Mannheim -Friedrichsfeld, Mannheim -Seckenheim, Mannheim The authentic route taken by Bertha Benz not only links almost forgotten original sites she passed on her way, it also leads to one of
171-556: A chain in Bruchsal . Brake linings were replaced in Bauschlott/ Neulingen north of Pforzheim . And Benz had to use a long, straight hatpin to clean a fuel pipe which had become blocked, and a garter to insulate a wire . Benz and her sons left Mannheim around dawn and reached Pforzheim somewhat after dusk, notifying Karl of their successful journey by telegram. They drove back to Mannheim three days later, by
228-436: A different route. Along the way, several people were frightened by the automobile and the novel trip received a great deal of publicity – as she had intended. The drive was very helpful for Karl Benz, as he was able to introduce several improvements after his wife reported everything that had happened along the way – and she made important suggestions, such as the introduction of an additional gear for climbing hills. In 2007
285-450: A grid pattern unusual for German cities, leading to its nickname Quadratestadt ( Square City ) and tourism slogan " Leben im Quadrat " (" Life in the Square "). Within a ring of avenues surrounding the city centre, there are squares, numbered from A1 to U6, instead of street names. At the southern base of that system is Mannheim Palace , one of the largest palace complexes in the world. It
342-410: A higher humidity in summer which causes a higher heat index. Snow is rare, even in the cold months. Precipitation occurs mostly during afternoon thunderstorms during the warmer period (average days of thunderstorms in a year is 40–50). The climate in this area has mild differences between highs and lows, and there is adequate rainfall year-round. The Köppen Climate Classification subtype for this climate
399-463: A key role in Germany's war economy. This contributed to the fact that, on 27 May 1915, Ludwigshafen was the world's first civilian settlement behind the battle lines to be bombed from the air. French aircraft attacked the BASF plants, thereby killing twelve people. The precedent was set for this attack by Germany's repeated air raids against British civilian populations throughout southeastern Britain during
456-715: A new location. At the old location, there is a monument to Friedrich Schiller and the Zum Zwischen-Akt pub. The housing shortage led to the development of many new residential areas. In 1964, the City Hospital ( Städtisches Krankenhaus ) became part of the Heidelberg University for Clinical Medicine in Mannheim . In 1967, the University of Mannheim was established in the city. In 1975,
513-568: A result of the invention of the pre-combustion chamber by Prosper L'Orange , Benz & Cie. developed the world's first compact diesel-powered car at its motor works in Mannheim in 1923. In 1922, the Grosskraftwerk Mannheim (Mannheim large power station) was opened. By 1930, the city, along with its sister city of Ludwigshafen, which had developed out of the old Mannheim Rheinschanze, had a population of 385,000. During World War II , air raids on Mannheim completely destroyed
570-456: A temporary transport system. A number of major projects were completed in the 1980s and 1990s: a planetarium, an extension to the art gallery, the new Reiß Museum, Stadthaus, a new May Market ground, synagogue, mosque, State Museum for Technology and Work , Carl-Benz stadium and the Fahrlach tunnel were opened. Mannheim has lost many industrial jobs, although in the recent past, the city
627-473: A wider color spectrum and also saving about 90 percent of the previous power consumption. The fountain system will be completely renovated by 2023. Mannheim Mannheim ( German pronunciation: [ˈmanhaɪm] ; Palatine German : Mannem or Monnem ), officially the University City of Mannheim ( German : Universitätsstadt Mannheim ), is the second-largest city in
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#1732782759347684-530: Is " Cfb " (Marine West Coast Climate/ Oceanic climate ), bordering closely on a humid subtropical climate (Cfa), with summer months often averaging above 21 degrees (71 F). Mannheim, population 315,000, is the 2nd largest city in Baden-Württemberg . Its location near the Rhine and Neckar rivers spurred Mannheim's industrialization and transition into a major city in the early 19th century. The city
741-514: Is Germany's leading university in the fields of business and economics and attracts students from around the world. Described by Die Zeit as the ' Harvard of Germany', it is seen as the training grounds of German business leaders. More than 12,000 students were enrolled in the 2013/14 semester. The university town also houses one of the medical schools of Heidelberg University (at the University Hospital Mannheim ),
798-629: Is a smart city ; the city's electrical grid is installed with a power-line communication network. A brick kiln excavated in 1929 in the Seckenheim district, which operated from 74 AD to the early second century, attests to settlement in Roman times. The name of the city was first recorded as Mannenheim in a legal transaction in 766, surviving in a twelfth-century copy in the Codex Laureshamensis from Lorsch Abbey . The name
855-553: Is home to German ice hockey record champions Adler Mannheim as well as the popular handball team Rhein-Neckar Löwen . Since 2014, Mannheim has been a member of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network and holds the title of " UNESCO City of Music ". In 2020, Mannheim was classified as a global city with ' Sufficiency ' status by the Globalization and World Cities Research Network (GaWC). Mannheim
912-429: Is illuminated when darkness falls, with a colorful play of colors on weekends and holidays. The large fountain had first been put into operation on September 9, 1893. Using incandescent lamp technology, the fountain system's technology most recently included 98 spotlights, 16 color changers, 178 nozzles, and 20 controlled pumps. In June 2020, a new LED-based lighting system with 84 spotlights was put into operation, covering
969-476: Is interpreted as "the home of Manno", a short form of a Germanic name such as Hartmann or Hermann . Mannheim remained a mere village throughout the Middle Ages. In 1606, Frederick IV, Elector Palatine started building the fortress of Friedrichsburg and the adjacent city centre with its grid of streets and avenues. On 24 January 1607, Frederick IV gave Mannheim the status of a "city", whether it really
1026-726: Is now an important industrial and commercial city, a university town , and a major transportation hub between Frankfurt and Stuttgart, including an ICE interchange (the Mannheim Hauptbahnhof ), Germany's second-largest marshalling yard (the Mannheim Rangierbahnhof ), and Germany's largest inland port (the Mannheim Harbour ). The city is home to many factories, offices and headquarters of several major corporations such as Roche , ABB , IBM , Siemens , Unilever and more. Mannheim's SAP Arena
1083-515: Is the sister of Eugene Beauharnais [sic; in fact, she was his second cousin]. There is a cathedral, a theatre which is considered good, an observatory, a gallery of pictures at the château, and some private collections. About two kilometres (one point two miles) below the town the Russian Army crossed the Rhine in 1813. Population 18,300. During the eighteenth century, Mannheim was the home of
1140-711: The state of Baden-Württemberg , after the state capital of Stuttgart , and Germany 's 21st-largest city , with a population of around 317,000. The city is the cultural and economic centre of the Rhine-Neckar , Germany's seventh-largest metropolitan region , with nearly 2.4 million inhabitants. Mannheim is located at the confluence of the Upper Rhine and the Neckar in the Kurpfalz ( Electoral Palatinate ) region of northwestern Baden-Württemberg. The city lies in
1197-853: The Automechanika held by the Frankfurt Trade Fair . It also included two rounds on the motodrom of the Hockenheimring , that thus opened itself towards sustainable future mobility. The third Bertha Benz Challenge took place from September 13 to 15, 2013, starting for the first time from the Frankfurt Motor Show , one of the world's largest motor shows , and supported by the presence of the German Environment Minister, Peter Altmaier along with Winfried Kretschmann and Volker Bouffier ,
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#17327827593471254-649: The Bundesgartenschau ( Federal horticulture show ) was celebrated in Luisen and Herzogenried parks. A number of pieces of infrastructure were developed for the show: the telecommunications tower and a second bridge across the Rhine (the Kurt Schumacher Bridge ) were built, the pedestrian zone was established, the new Rosengarten conference centre was opened and the Aerobus was installed as
1311-983: The European Route of Industrial Heritage . It opened in 2008 and follows the tracks of the world's first long distance road trip by a vehicle powered with an internal combustion engine, in 1888. The trip was taken by Bertha Benz in the world's first automobile, the Benz Patent-Motorwagen , created by her husband Carl Benz . Bertha Benz 's husband, Carl Benz , patented the first automobile designed to produce its own power in January 1886 ( Reichspatent Nr. 37435 ). In early August 1888, without her husband's knowledge, Bertha Benz, with her sons Richard (aged 14) and Eugen (aged 15), drove in Benz's newly constructed Patent Motorwagen No. 3 automobile, from Mannheim to her own birthplace, Pforzheim, becoming
1368-710: The FEI European Jumping Championships in 2007 14–19 August, in the MVV-riding stadium. In 2002, Hobby Horse Polo was invented in Mannheim, evoking the classical rivalry towards "polite society" in Heidelberg. The Maimarkt-Turnier Mannheim is an annual international horse show held during the Mannheimer Maimarkt since 1964. According to Forbes magazine, Mannheim is known for its exceptional inventive power and
1425-884: The Hochschule Mannheim , a branch of the Duale Hochschule of the State of Baden-Württemberg and several musical and theatrical academies, including the Pop Academy Mannheim, the Musikhochschule and the Theaterakademie. These institutions draw a large and diverse student body. Bertha Benz Memorial Route The Bertha Benz Memorial Route is a German tourist and theme route in Baden-Württemberg and member of
1482-562: The Jesuit Church ; they were completed in 1760. In 1819, Norwich Duff wrote of Mannheim: Mannheim is in the Duchy of Baden and situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Neckar over both of which there is a bridge of boats. This is the third town of this name having been twice burnt. The houses are large, and the streets are broad and at right angles to each other, and is one of the most airy clean towns I have seen in Germany. It
1539-603: The March Revolution of 1848 , the city was a centre for political and revolutionary activity. In 1865, Friedrich Engelhorn founded the Badische Anilin- und Soda-Fabrik (Baden Aniline and Soda Factory, BASF ) in Mannheim, but the factory was constructed across the Rhine in Ludwigshafen because Mannheim residents feared air pollution from its operations. From this dye factory, BASF has developed into
1596-741: The Upper Rhine Plain , Germany's warmest region, between the Palatine Forest and the Oden Forest . Mannheim forms a continuous urban zone of around 500,000 inhabitants with Ludwigshafen am Rhein in the Rhineland-Palatinate , while some northern suburbs lie in Hesse . Hamburg is the only other German city with such a presence in two states other than its own. Central Mannheim streets and avenues are laid out in
1653-623: The " Mannheim School " of classical music composers . Mannheim was said to have one of the best court orchestras in Europe under the leadership of the conductor Carlo Grua . The royal court of the Palatinate left Mannheim in 1778, as Charles Theodore had become Elector of Bavaria and moved to Munich . Two decades later, in 1802, Mannheim was removed from the Palatinate and given to the Grand Duchy of Baden . In 1819, August von Kotzebue
1710-514: The " Rhine shift ". In summer, temperatures sometimes rise up to 35 °C (95 °F) and higher. The highest recorded temperature was 39.8 °C (104 °F) on 7 August 2015. The daily lows during heat waves can be very high for the latitude (around 25 °C / 77 °F). In September 2016, the average temperature in Mannheim was 18.6 °C, highest in Baden-Württemberg. In comparison to other regions of Germany, Mannheim has
1767-456: The 2010s, partially due to its large university population. The following list shows the most significant groups of foreigners in the city of Mannheim by nationalities. In total 44,7% of all Mannheim inhabitants are from foreign descent. The Neckarstadt-West district has the biggest foreign population with 68,9%, while the Wallstadt district has the smallest one with 23,1%. A large part of
Friedrichsplatz - Misplaced Pages Continue
1824-1004: The Oststadt-Theater, the TIG7 (Theater im Quadrat G7), the Theater Oliv, the Freilichtbühne, the Theater31, the Theater ImPuls, the Theater Felina-Areal, the Mannheimer Puppenspiele, the Kleinkunstbühne Klapsmühl', Schatzkistl, and zeitraumexit . There are two nationally renowned football clubs in Mannheim, SV Waldhof Mannheim , who currently are playing in the third tier 3. Liga , but who have played in
1881-496: The automobile would become a financial success once it was shown to be useful to the general public. On the way, she solved numerous problems. She had to find Ligroin , a solvent available only at dispensing chemists ' shops, to use as fuel. Thus the still existing Stadt-Apotheke (Town Pharmacy) in Wiesloch , some kilometres south of Heidelberg , became the world's first filling station . A blacksmith had to help mend
1938-564: The city centre. Mannheim was heavily damaged during aerial bombing by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF). Allied bombing raids razed the city centre of Mannheim at night-time area bombing , killing thousands of civilians. In the meantime, 2,262 of Mannheim's Jews were sent to Nazi concentration camps . Some sources state that the first deliberate strategic bombing of
1995-513: The first German Football League which is called GFL1. As of 2018, between 500 and 900 people watch each game. Rhein-Neckar Löwen are a handball team playing in the professional German Handball League . The WWE visited Mannheim in 2008. Around 10,000 fans attended the event. UFC fighter Dennis Siver lives and trains in Mannheim. Mannheim hosted the European Show Jumping Championships in 1997, and
2052-657: The first half of 1915. When Germany lost the war in 1918, according to the peace terms, the left bank of the Rhine was occupied by French troops. The French occupation lasted until 1930, and some of Ludwigshafen's most elegant houses were erected for the officers of the French garrison. After the First World War , the Heinrich Lanz Company built the Bulldog, an advanced tractor, powered by heavy oil. As
2109-475: The first person to drive an automobile powered with an internal combustion engine over more than a very short distance. The distance was about 104 km (65 mi). Distances driven before this historic trip were short, being merely trials with mechanical assistants. Although the ostensible purpose of the trip was to visit her mother, Bertha Benz also had another motive: to show her husband – who had failed to consider marketing his invention adequately – that
2166-635: The former highest German ice hockey league known as Bundesliga ). The city is home to the Mannheim Tornados , the oldest operational baseball and softball club in Germany. The Tornados play in the first division of the Baseball Bundesliga and have won the championship 11 times, more than any other club. In 2003, the American football club Mannheim Bandits [ de ] was founded. The Mannheim Bandits are playing in
2223-538: The future it will take place yearly, aiming to become a globally visible signal for a new automobile breakthrough, as it is only open for sustainable mobility: Future-oriented vehicles with alternative drive systems – hybrid and electric vehicles, hydrogen and fuel cells – and other extremely economical vehicles. Its motto was: "Sustainable Mobility on the World's Oldest Automobile Road!" The second Bertha Benz Challenge took place from September 14 to 16, 2012, but started from
2280-573: The highest point of the art nouveau area Friedrichsplatz . Mannheim is well-known for its inventions, including the automobile , the bicycle , and the tractor , which is why the city is often called the "city of inventions". The city is the starting and finishing point of the Bertha Benz Memorial Route , which follows the tracks of the first long-distance automobile trip in history. A Großstadt (major city with more than 100,000 inhabitants) since 1896, Mannheim
2337-504: The immigrants are from the Balkans and European countries. The distribution of Mannheim's population by religious affiliation (as of December 31, 2020) is Roman Catholic 25.4%, Protestant 20.0%, and other/ none 54.6%. The National Theatre Mannheim was founded in 1779 and is the oldest "Stage" in Germany. In 1782 the premiere of Die Räuber , written by Friedrich Schiller , was shown. Recently, smaller stages have opened, such as
Friedrichsplatz - Misplaced Pages Continue
2394-564: The invention of the automobile by Karl Benz. On January 25, 2011, Deutsche Welle (DW-TV) broadcast worldwide in its series Made in Germany a TV documentary on the invention of the automobile by Karl Benz, highlighting the very important role of his wife Bertha Benz. The report was not only on the history of the automobile, but took a look at its future as well, as shown by the Bertha Benz Challenge. The first Bertha Benz Challenge took place on September 10 and 11, 2011. In
2451-561: The largest chemical company in the world. After opening a workshop in Mannheim in 1871 and patenting engines from 1878, Karl Benz patented the first motor car in 1886. He was born in Mühlburg (now part of Karlsruhe). The Schütte-Lanz company , founded by Karl Lanz and Johann Schütte in 1909, built 22 airships. The company's main competitor was the Zeppelin works. When World War I broke out in 1914, Mannheim's industrial plants played
2508-425: The most attractive scenic regions in Germany, the wine region of Baden . The route follows several Roman roads in the area of the Upper Rhine Plain , for example the Bergstraße (Mountain Road), it leads along the foot of the Odenwald mountains and the Kraichgau , and shortly before reaching Karlsruhe it branches off into the Pfinz valley leading to Pforzheim, the entrance to the Black Forest . As Bertha
2565-439: The old fairground, and the new Schafweide tram line. The concept of the anniversary of the city is aimed at a diverse range of events without a dominant central event. In 2001, the City hospital was officially and legally awarded with the title University Hospital Mannheim . In 2023, Mannheim hosted the Bundesgartenschau 2023 (National Garden Show); the second time after 1975. Mannheim is located in Germany's warmest summer region,
2622-406: The top tier, the Bundesliga ; and VfR Mannheim , winner of the German championship in 1949 , now playing in the sixth tier Verbandsliga Baden . The Adler Mannheim (formerly MERC, Mannheimer Eis- und Rollsport-Club) is an ice hockey team playing in the professional Deutsche Eishockey Liga , having won the German championship a total of eight times (7 times Deutsche Eishockey Liga and one time
2679-424: The war occurred at Mannheim during a Royal Air Force night raid on 16 December 1940. Today around one third of the city consists of buildings from before 1950. In late March 1945, the Allied ground advance into Germany reached Mannheim, which was potentially well-defended by German forces. However, the German forces abandoned the city and the U.S. 44th Infantry Division entered unopposed on 29 March 1945. There
2736-419: Was afraid of some steep mountains, the return trip follows an alternative route and finishes by following the Rhine river back to Mannheim. The Bertha Benz Memorial Route opened in September 2008. But the Ministry of State of Baden-Württemberg suggested embedding the official inaugural run in the framework of the ceremony of Automobile Summer 2011, the big official German event and birthday party commemorating
2793-459: Was assassinated in Mannheim. The climate crisis of 1816–17 caused famine and the death of many horses in Mannheim. That year Karl Drais invented the first bicycle. Infrastructure improvements included the establishment of Rhine Harbour in 1828 and the construction of the first Baden railway , which opened from Mannheim to Heidelberg in 1840. Influenced by the economic rise of the middle class, another golden age of Mannheim gradually began. In
2850-468: Was economically dominated by manufacturing. The city tried in the past to prevent the establishment of service providers by designating some locations as industrial areas. A prime example of the current trend is the construction of the Victoria Tower (Victoria-Turm) in 2001, one of the tallest buildings in the city, on railway land. Mannheim celebrated its 400th anniversary with a series of cultural and other events throughout 2007. The 400th anniversary proper
2907-430: Was formerly fortified, but the fortifications were razed in 1806 and gardens fill their places. There is a large château here belonging to the Grand Duke and a very good garden; part of the château was destroyed when the town was bombarded and has never since been repaired, the other part is occupied by the Grand Duchess, widow of the late Grand Duke who was succeeded by his uncle having left only three daughters. She
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#17327827593472964-410: Was heavily damaged during WWII but soon regained prominence as an industrial centre, causing rapid population growth in the 1950s. Many motor, electronic and power plant companies came to Mannheim and other cities in the Rhine-Neckar Region, including Ludwigshafen and Heidelberg , which lies just kilometres up the Neckar. The population of Mannheim started to decline in the 1980s but began to rebound in
3021-405: Was in 2006, since Frederick IV, Elector Palatine laid the foundations of Mannheim citadel on 17 March 1606. In preparation for the anniversary, some urban activities were implemented, beginning in 2000: the building of the SAP Arena with access to the city's new eastern ring road, the rehabilitation of the pedestrian zone in Breite Straße, the arsenal and the palace, the complete transformation of
3078-402: Was later a large American military occupation presence in the Mannheim area with up to 10 barracks. The first one shut down in 2007 and the last was closed in 2013 (see United States military installations below). Rebuilding of the city began industriously. Mannheim Palace and the water tower ( Wasserturm ) eventually were rebuilt and the National Theatre was replaced by a new building at
3135-476: Was one by then or not. Mannheim was mostly levelled during the Thirty Years' War around 1622 by the forces of Johan Tilly . After being rebuilt, it was again severely damaged by the French Army in 1689 during the Nine Years' War . After the rebuilding of Mannheim that began in 1698, the capital of the Electorate of the Palatinate was moved from Heidelberg to Mannheim in 1720 when Karl III Philip, Elector Palatine began construction of Mannheim Palace and
3192-410: Was ranked 11th among the Top 15 of the most inventive cities worldwide. Many significant inventions were made in Mannheim: The University of Mannheim is one of Germany's younger universities. Although founded in 1967, it has its origins in the Palatine Academy of Sciences , established in 1763, and the former Handelshochschule (Commercial College), founded in 1907. Situated in Mannheim Palace , it
3249-452: Was the former home of the Prince-elector of the Electoral Palatinate, and now houses the University of Mannheim , which repeatedly receives top marks in business administration and is sometimes known as the " Harvard of Germany". The Mannheim May Market is the largest regional consumer exhibition of Germany. The civic symbol of Mannheim is the Romanesque Mannheim Water Tower , completed in 1886 and rising to 60 metres (200 feet) above
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