Mannheim developed from a fisherman’s village and documentarily was mentioned for the first time already in 766. After having received several privileges the town of Mannheim was founded in the year 1606.

After the destruction of the town in the Thirty Years’ War Mannheim was reconstructed and as residence of the court had it’s cultural zenith under the rule of elector Karl Theodor who mainly became famous as promoter of fine arts, music and theatre.



Already in the 17th century the typical squares structure of Mannheim’s city became characteristic for the town and in most points remained unchanged up to now. Despite the fact that foreigners don’t know what to do with addresses like B2, 12 or U4, 13 the local people love their "chessboard" which is similar to the structure of Manhattan - not without reason as at both places the influence of Dutch architects was important.

In economical respect Mannheim took profit from it’s geographical position at the rivers Rhine and Neckar and therefore experienced a period of immense prosperity. A decisive reason for the positive economical development of the town in the 19th century were the extension of the harbour facilities and the foundation of numerous factories.



Today the city of Mannheim with more than 300,000 inhabitants primarily is well known as industrial and economical metropolis in the urban centralization in the region Rhein-Neckar. However, there are still today many places of interest as souvenirs from a glorious past, like the castle, the Jesuit Church and the Water Tower, and still today the city of Mannheim is a place with numerous cultural events.

For more information about Mannheim: http://www.mannheim.de