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Karlsruhe

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Karlsruhe is a major urban center in the German state of Baden-Württemberg. It ranks as the third-largest city in the state, following Stuttgart and Mannheim. Nationally, it is the 22nd-largest city in Germany. Currently, the city has an estimated population of 308,436 inhabitants. Karlsruhe serves as a vital legal hub for the country. It houses the Federal Constitutional Court and the Federal Court of Justice. It is also home to the Public Prosecutor General.

Karlsruhe bundesverfassungsgericht
Karlsruhe bundesverfassungsgericht

The city is located on the Upper Rhine Plain. It sits on the right bank of the Rhine river. The Rhine is one of the most important shipping routes in the world.

Karlsruhe OElhafen
Karlsruhe OElhafen

To the north lies the Mannheim-Ludwigshafen conurbation. To the south is the city of Strasbourg. The city's geography includes the Turmberg in the east. It also borders the Kraichgau region near the Northern Black Forest. Two rivers, the Alb and the Pfinz, flow through the city. These tributaries eventually join the Rhine.

Karlsruhe is famous for its unique urban design. The city was planned with the palace tower at the center. From this center, 32 streets radiate outward. These streets look like the ribs of a folding fan. Because of this, the city is nicknamed the "fan city" or "Fächerstadt." Most of these radial streets still exist today. This layout even created a specific way to measure distance. This is called the Karlsruhe metric. It assumes travel occurs only along these radial streets and circular avenues.

49th Parallel Karlsruhe
49th Parallel Karlsruhe

The history of the city began on June 17, 1715. Margrave Charles III William of Baden-Durlach founded the city. Legend says he founded it after a dream. Another version says he sought peace from his wife. The name Karlsruhe translates to "Charles' repose" or "Charles' peace." The city has served as a capital for several different states. It was the capital of the Margraviate of Baden-Durlach from 1565 to 1718. It later served the Grand Duchy of Baden until 1918. It also served the Republic of Baden until 1945.

The city's architecture is very significant. The Karlsruhe Palace was built in 1715. It now houses the Baden State Museum. The museum covers regional history and art. Many buildings follow the neoclassical style. This style is seen in the town hall and the main Lutheran church. The architect Friedrich Weinbrenner designed many important sights. These include the St. Stephan parish church.

Karlsruhe StStephan
Karlsruhe StStephan

The city also features Art Nouveau architecture in its western districts.

Karlsruhe Moninger Jugendstil
Karlsruhe Moninger Jugendstil

Even the Grand Ducal Burial Chapel shows a different style.

Karlsruhe Grabkapelle
Karlsruhe Grabkapelle

This neo-Gothic structure sits in the middle of a forest.

Karlsruhe has experienced many difficult historical periods. During the Holocaust, the city's Jewish community suffered greatly. The Adass Jeshurun synagogue was burned during Kristallnacht in 1938. Many Jews were sent to various concentration camps. During World War II, the city held a forced labour camp. It also contained a subcamp of the Auschwitz concentration camp. Allied bombing caused severe damage to the western city and the palace. However, the central area and old town remained mostly intact. The city was part of the American occupation zone after the war. An American military base operated there until 1995.

Today, Karlsruhe is a center for education and science. There are nine institutions of higher education in the city. The Karlsruhe Institute of Technology is a very notable one.

Durlacher Tor Kombilösung 3
Durlacher Tor Kombilösung 3

The city also has a busy airport. It is the second-busiest airport in Baden-Württemberg. Geographically, the 49th parallel north runs through the city center. This puts Karlsruhe at the same latitude as Paris, France. It is also at the same latitude as Vancouver, Canada. The city is also quite bright. It receives about 2,000 hours of sunshine every year.

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🖼️ Images & Media (23)
File:49th Parallel Karlsruhe.JPG
49th Parallel Karlsruhe.JPG
File:Karlsruhe StStephan.jpg
Karlsruhe StStephan.jpg
File:Karlsruhe Grabkapelle.jpg
Karlsruhe Grabkapelle.jpg
File:Karlsruhe Moninger Jugendstil.jpg
Karlsruhe Moninger Jugendstil.jpg
File:Karlsruhe bundesverfassungsgericht.jpg
Karlsruhe bundesverfassungsgericht.jpg
File:Karlsruhe Rbf Einfahrgruppe.jpg
Karlsruhe Rbf Einfahrgruppe.jpg
File:2020 Karlsruhe mayoral election.svg
2020 Karlsruhe mayoral election.svg
File:Durlacher Tor Kombilösung 3.jpg
Durlacher Tor Kombilösung 3.jpg
File:Karlsruhe OElhafen.jpg
Karlsruhe OElhafen.jpg
File:Karlsruhe Leibgrenadierdenkmal.jpg
Karlsruhe Leibgrenadierdenkmal.jpg
File:Karlsruhe Durlach Karlsburg.jpg
Karlsruhe Durlach Karlsburg.jpg
File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-R35179, Prof. Friedrich Ratzel.jpg
Bundesarchiv Bild 183-R35179, Prof....

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