Karlsruhe, 1 hôtel

The Badische Landesmuseum - a large cultural history museum in Baden-Württemberg - was founded in 1919 and has been located in the Karlsruhe Palace since it was taken over by the State of Baden following the abdication of Grand Duke Friedrich II. The collection includes more than 5,000 cultural history and historical specimens. The standing exhibition covers the period from pre-history and antiquity through the Middle Ages until the 21st century. Rotating special exhibitions on themes such as the Orient or the early Stone Ages complement the exhibition.

The Karlsruhe Castle was built in the Baroque style between 1715 and 1718. For around 200 years, it was home to the margraves, electors and grand dukes of Baden. Since 1912, the castle has housed the Badische State Museum. The 42 metre tall viewing platform on the castle tower is open to museum visitors. It offers panoramic views across the city, extending as far as the Black Forest and the Palatinate mountains. The symmetry of the city’s layout becomes particularly apparent when seen from the bird’s eye view. Beginning from the castle, 32 streets emanate outwards in all directions like beams of sunshine. It’s fan-shaped formation led to it becoming colloquially known as the ‘fan city’.

The main seat of the Federal Court of Justice has been located in Karlsruhe since its foundation in 1950. The entire complex occupies around 4 hectares and reflects 200 years of architectural history. The representative buildings of the Federal Court of Justice occupy the former hereditary Grand Ducal Palace, which was built between 1891 and 1897. Until 1918, it was the residence of the hereditary Grand Duke Friedrich II. The legal history museum has been based in the Federal Court of Justice since 2003. Every Tuesday (public holidays excepted) the museum is open to visitors between 10am and 12pm. The permanent exhibition offers an historical overview of the evolution of the law.

This green oasis is located to the west of Karlsruhe’s castle at the edge of the castle gardens, close to the orangery and the Federal Constitutional Court. The botanical gardens were established in the 18th century, during the reign of Margrave Karl Friedrich as a ‘high princely pleasure garden.’ Domestic and exotic plants, more than 20 different species of tree, tropical plants and cacti are assembled in various nurseries and greenhouses, in addition to a carefully-crafted outdoor area with a collection of sphinxes and sculptures. The Café-Terrace set beneath the frame of the former Winter Garden is a delightful place to pause and linger. 

The City Gardens, in which the Zoological Gardens are incorporated, occupies an area of some 23 hectares between the main train station and the Congress Centre, just 5 minutes’ walk B&B Hotel Karlsruhe Around 1,000 animals and 130 different species are accommodated here. The Zoo was first opened in 1865, making it one of the oldest in Germany. Visitors can experience various themed zones, from the ‘Water habitat’ to the ‘African Savannah.’ The spacious polar bear enclosure with its pool and underwater viewing areas is a particularly famous attraction. The City Gardens are also home to various other themed areas,