Your guide to the Stuttgart Region

Did you know…

… Stuttgart is home to the world’s first TV tower? Built in 1954 by Leonhardt, the tower became an engineering marvel with its sleek design and weightless-looking top. The innovative use of reinforced concrete in such a design revolutionized tower construction and inspired TV towers worldwide.

Did you know…

… before garages became birthplaces for startups, Gottlieb Daimler and Maybach had to invent the car first? That’s why this success story began in 1885 in a green house in Bad Cannstatt, where they developed the first high-speed gasoline engine. A year later, they installed it in a carriage - the first car was born.

Did you know…

… engineers in the Stuttgart Region are learning from creatures like jellyfish, birds, and insects? Automation expert Festo has taken inspiration from nature to solve modern challenges, building flying, floating, and swimming robots modelled after jellyfish or bees to improve industrial processes. Their next chapter is bacteria, as seen in the “Hydrogen Battery,” a step forward in green energy storage technology.

Did you know…

… that Hawk, Hazel Hen, and HERMIT were true math experts? Of course, they weren't real animals, but supercomputers at the University of Stuttgart. Their successors, Hunter and Herder, are already in place ready to tackle challenges across industries. Adding to the region's tech excellence, IBM's Quantum System One – operated by the Fraunhofer Institute and IBM – now provides a secure platform to experiment with quantum-based computing strategies for real-world applications.

Did you know…

… that if you spot a broom hanging outside a house, it’s your invitation to homemade wine and hearty food? This is a traditional "Besenwirtschaft" – a family-run wine tavern that opens its doors in spring and autumn. The broom (Besen) outside signals a warm welcome, where locals and visitors gather to enjoy excellent wine and lively conversation.

Did you know…

… that unlike in other renowned valleys, groundbreaking technology thrives here between forests and vineyards, and not between bays and golden bridges? The Stuttgart Region is home to Cyber Valley, Europe's largest and leading center for excellence in AI and modern robotics, where high-tech companies and research institutes from the Stuttgart Region and beyond work side by side.

Did you know…

… that the world’s favorite square chocolate bar comes from the Stuttgart Region? In 1932, in the cozy town of Waldenbuch, Clara Ritter gave new shape to chocolate, literally. She created a square bar that fits perfectly into the pocket of a sports jacket, without breaking or compromising on weight. Ritter Sport's launch turned a family business into a global brand. One which still reflects the ingenuity and charm of its roots in the Stuttgart Region.

Did you know…

… that Robert Bosch started one of the world’s most influential technology companies? In 1886, he opened his “Workshop for Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering” in Stuttgart. What began as a small workshop grew into a global enterprise, shaping everything from mobility and home appliances to industrial automation. His vision combined innovation with social responsibility, deeply-rooted values still held by the company today, and in the region where it all began.

Did you know…

… the Stuttgart Region is home to Germany’s oldest maker of sparkling wine? Founded in 1826 in Esslingen am Neckar, KESSLER Sekt was created by Georg Christian Kessler after his years in the Champagne region of France. He brought traditional bottle fermentation to Germany and set new standards for sparkling wine. Today, KESSLER raises a glass of the bubbly to the region’s mix of craft, history, and modern flair.

Did you know…

… the University of Hohenheim was founded to solve a famine? After a devastating food crisis in 1816, King Wilhelm I of Württemberg established the university to improve agricultural practices. Set in a baroque palace surrounded by its own fields and botanical gardens, Hohenheim grew into one of Germany’s top agricultural and natural science universities. It remains a place where innovation takes root, right in the Stuttgart Region.

Did you know…

… one of Europe’s leading film schools is based in Ludwigsburg, right in the Stuttgart Region? Since its founding in 1991, the Filmakademie Baden-Württemberg has gained global recognition for training top talent in directing, animation, cinematography, and production. Many of its alumni have earned prestigious international awards, not just Oscars. With hands-on teaching and industry connections, it’s where the region’s creative energy meets the silver screen, and where powerful stories begin.

Did you know…

… the Swabian Alps isn’t just a UNESCO Global Geopark but also a treasure trove of natural and cultural history? This ancient limestone plateau south of Stuttgart is full of caves, fossils, castles, and sweeping views. It’s where the oldest known human artworks were found, over 40,000 years old, and where hikers, climbers, and cyclists lose track of time in the best way. Rugged, wild, and full of stories, it’s nature’s boldest chapter in the Stuttgart Region.