Dear Travel Writer,
Two men and two moments in SouthWest Germany changed the world 125 years ago. In 1886, Carl Benz patented his three-wheeled automobile – and launched the era of the car. Just a few miles away, Gottlieb Daimler invented the first practical high-speed, lightweight four-stroke engine, changing transportation on land, sea and in the air. That’s why Mannheim and Stuttgart are must-sees for petrol heads.
But this sunny region of Germany offers more than sleek limousines and sexy sports cars. In Sinsheim, the Auto & Technik Museum has not one, but two supersonic aircraft, plus dozens more planes, tanks, bikes, and cars. Down on beautiful Lake Constance, the Zeppelin Museum pays tribute to the birthplace of the airship.
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| Stuttgart: The Kingdom of the Car |
No other city in the world can match the quality of Stuttgart’s two motor museums. The Mercedes-Benz Museum spells out the social history of the automobile in its distinctive building, with a “double-helix” design. On the nine levels are legendary cars such as the Silver Arrows and celebrity cars, from the Sultan of Morocco’s 1892 Daimler to Princess Diana’s 1991 500SL.
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The super-cool Porsche Museum is home to 80 significant vehicles, including the mouth-watering 356, 550, 911, and 917 models. What makes this museum different is that the display of cars is always changing.Many of the historic cars are in such magnificent condition that they can be sent out to compete in historic motorsport events around the world.
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Other must-sees for enthusiasts include the Mercedes-Benz Classic Center in Fellbach, just outside Stuttgart. Here, expert mechanics work on highly-prized Benz, Daimler, Mercedes, and Mercedes-Benz vehicles owned by enthusiasts. And for historians, the Gottlieb Daimler Workshop still has Daimler’s tool bench and forge – in the greenhouse where he worked back in the 1880s.
Visit both museums and stay in a car-themed hotel, using this package. |
| Mannheim: Where Carl Benz made history |
Carl Benz’ 1886 patent is registered on UNESCO’s Memory of the World list in recognition of its importance to all mankind. Learn more about the man and his invention at the city’s TECHNOSEUM,a museum which displays a fine replica of the Motorwagen, the first car built by Carl Benz. It also tells the story of the early bicycle and tractor …inventions which also carry the label “Made in Mannheim”. |
Carl Benz’s wife, Bertha, also deserves credit. Although Carl invented the three-wheeler, he only drove it to the outskirts of Mannheim. It was Bertha Benz, who demonstrated the potential of the automobile.
In 1888 (that’s 125 years ago next year), she borrowed her husband’s new invention to pay a visit to her mother. She travelled via Heidelberg to Pforzheim in the Black Forest. Today, automobile aficionados can follow the 120-mile Bertha Benz Memorial Route that starts and finishes in Mannheim.
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Mannheim, the region’s second largest city, is also famous for its versatile shops and boutiques. Fashion lovers visit Mannheim’s shopping miles Planken and Breite Strasse to hunt for unique outfits and accessories.
More information
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Right on the harbor of Friedrichshafen on beautiful Lake Constance is the Zeppelin Museum, with its unique combination of “technology and art.” Board the replica of a section of the LZ 129 Hindenburg and travel back to the heyday of the giant airships.
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The museum’s art gallery exhibits more than five centuries of paintings and sculptures, from the Middle Ages to the present day, all devoted to views of Lake Constance.
For children and youngsters, there are special quiz packs, children’s areas and a “family box” with games. You can even experience a flight with a zeppelin! More information |
| Snapshot of transportation’s history |
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Two supersonic passenger aircraft that you can board, a Concorde and Tu-144, are the highlights of 3,000 exhibits that cover the history of technology and transport at the Auto & Technik MUSEUM SINSHEIM.
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Formula-1 and vintage racing cars, motorcycles, sports cars, aircraft, and more are displayed in the enormous 325,000 sq ft/30,000 m² indoor space – and there is also a large outdoor area.
With this variety, the IMAX 3D movie theater, and many leisure facilities, it’s not just transport fans that enjoy one of SouthWest Germany’s finest museums. More information |
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Photo credits:Mercedes-Benz Museum Mythos
© Daimler AG
Benz Patenwagen
© rem
Zeppelin Museum
© Zeppelin Museum Friedrichshafen GmbH
Auto & Technik Museum Sinsheim
© Norbert Bach 2009 |
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