Mannheim: The 5 Must-See Attractions

When visiting this part of Germany, travellers head to world famous Heidelberg to see the Heidelberg castle and the well preserved historical centre of the city. I would like to draw your attention to Mannheim, located less than 20 km away from Heidelberg. Let me offer you my list of 5 must-see attractions of the city. There are several good reasons to visit Mannheim. First of all, it’s not touristy, accommodation is cheaper and you can easily visit Heidelberg from there. It’s also good for shopping but most importantly, it has Luisenpark which is especially beautiful in spring. But let’s start from the very beginning.

Mannheim intro

Mannheim, with its population of more than 300 000 people, is the second largest city in Baden-Württemberg. It is situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Neckar rivers. In 1720 the capital of the Electorate of the Palatinate was moved to Mannheim.10 luisenpark mannheim www.thesanetravel.com 1430385

During this time Karl III Philipp began the construction of the Mannheim Palace and the Jesuit Church. It is the economic and cultural center of the metropolitan Rhein-Neckar region. Mannheim is also known as the Quadratestadt, or the City of Squares, for its grid-like pattern of the town center, unique in Germany. Daimler AD, the successor to the Karl Benz automobile manufacturing company founded in Mannheim, has a large presence in Mannheim, assembling both diesel engines and buses. The city hosts many large international factories and offices. Unfortunately, as a key Nazi industrial center, Mannheim was heavily damaged by the U.S. and British bombing in WWII and many historical buildings were lost. In 2007 Mannheim celebrated its 400th birthday.

And here is my list of 5 must-see attractions of the city.

1) Mannheim Palace

It is the largest Baroque palace in Germany with 400 rooms. It was built in the late 18th century and originally served as the main residence of Prince Electors of the Palatinate branch (House of Wittelsbach). The building is now mostly used by the University of Mannheim but there is also a museum with all the glory of the palace on display. Worth viewing are the elegantly decorated Knights Hall with its parquet inlay flooring, the elaborate ceiling frescoes by Cosmas Damian Asam and the Trabantensaal with its antique furniture exhibition.

19 mannheim palace www.thesanetravel.com 1430082

21 mannheim palace www.thesanetravel.com 1430004

23 mannheim palace www.thesanetravel.com 1430109

24 mannheim palace www.thesanetravel.com 1430117

22 mannheim palace www.thesanetravel.com 1430090

2) Jesuit Church

This Catholic Church, finished in 1760, was designed by Alessandro Galli Bibiena and is an accurate replica of the Church of the Gesù in Rome. The church was almost completely destroyed during the heavy bombing of the Second World War, but today shines in all its Baroque glory once again. The reconstructed altar, royal boxes, frescos and paintings are a feast for the eyes – even if churches aren’t usually your thing.

26 Jesuit church mannheim www.thesanetravel.com 1430141

27 Jesuit church mannheim www.thesanetravel.com 1430040

28 Jesuit church mannheim www.thesanetravel.com 1430050

29 Jesuit church mannheim www.thesanetravel.com 1430055

3) Paradeplatz

The heart of Mannheim is located at the Paradeplatz (‘parade square’) where two shopping streets, Planken and Breite Strasse intersect. A restored Pyramid fountain with the bronze pyramid designed by sculptor Gabriel de Grupello in early 18th century dominates the center.

30 paradeplaz mannheim www.thesanetravel.com 1430144

31 paradeplaz mannheim www.thesanetravel.com 1430147

4) Luisenpark

When you are in Mannheim, do not miss out on a trip to Luisenpark. The park was established in 1892 and named after Princess Luise Marie Elizabeth of Prussia, a close relative of three German emperors. It is the biggest green space in Mannheim. More than 40 hectares of the park contain a number of gardens and attractions, including a Chinese garden, a rose garden, an arboretum, and a tree fern greenhouse. For me the symbol of the park is yellow-white gondolettas floating in the Kutzerweiher lake. The Chinese garden and its tea house located in the park were built in co-operation with Mannheim's Chinese twin city Zhenjiang.

39 luisenpark mannheim www.thesanetravel.com 142095041 luisenpark mannheim www.thesanetravel.com 143036242 luisenpark mannheim www.thesanetravel.com 143021243 luisenpark mannheim www.thesanetravel.com 142041944 luisenpark mannheim www.thesanetravel.com 1420442One of the main attractions of Luisenpark is its exotic and native animal and bird life. Many native bird species have made their own way to the park, including a large colony of storks. Exotic birds by contrast are introduced. Some of them live free, some in enclosures. You can watch storks, ducks, geese, pelicans, peacocks, 13 species of owls among others in the park.  

47 luisenpark mannheim www.thesanetravel.com 1420465

48 luisenpark mannheim www.thesanetravel.com 1420491

50 luisenpark mannheim www.thesanetravel.com 1420666

51 luisenpark mannheim www.thesanetravel.com 1430417

52 luisenpark mannheim www.thesanetravel.com 1430302

53 luisenpark mannheim www.thesanetravel.com 1430507

Initially, I had planned a mostly shopping trip to Mannheim, and only at a very late stage of planning discovered Luisenpark. I ended up spending two evenings there because it is too big to entirely explore within a few hours. I recommend that place to everyone visiting Mannheim.
A handy tip: after 6 p.m. the tickets only cost 1.50 Euros, while the regular price is 6 Euros. The park was open until 9 p.m.

5) Mannheim TV tower

If you want to see all of Luisenpark at once, getting up to the Mannheim TV tower may be a great idea. It's located at one of the park entrances and you can get back to the park later with the same park ticket. It is a 205 meter high telecommunication tower (Fernmeldeturm). The highest you can get is to the 124 meter revolving restaurant or the 120 meter observation deck. The views of Luisenpark, the city, the Palatinate forest, and Odenvald are striking.

60 luisenpark mannheim www.thesanetravel.com 1430440

61 luisenpark mannheim www.thesanetravel.com 1430397

Mannheim Shopping Tip: don’t put off your shopping for Sunday since most stores are closed. Shop hours are usually Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 8 pm.
Where to stay? 4-star hotel InterCityHotel Mannheim is located just a few steps away from Mannheim Train Station and 700 m from Mannheim Palace. It offers modern rooms and free WiFi.

62 intercityhotel mannheim www.thesanetravel.com 1420362

Read more about InterCity Hotel Mannheim by clicking this link.
If you have more time to spend in this area, follow my Rhine river valley itinerary by clicking this link. Also do not forget to visit Heidelberg just 30 minutes from Mannheim.

You might be also interested to learn about things to do in Dresden

Have you been to Mannheim? Share your experience in the comments section.

MannheimGermany

  • Published by Anita on March 25, 2017

 

Author: Anita Sāne

Anita 03 18

About the author
Anita is a part-time traveller, passionate photographer and a retired career woman from Latvia, 
travelling mostly solo for more than 15 years. She is a skilled travel planner who plans and executes her travels by herself. Anita wants to show you how to travel the world and open your mind to new experiences. Follow her on FacebookInstagramPinterestTwitter and Bloglovin.

 

 

 
Gravatar
Clark
Everyone loves it whenever people get together and share thoughts.Great blog, continue the good work!
Gravatar
Arielle
Excellent blog you have here.. It's difficult to find high-quality writing like yours these days.I seriously appreciate individuals like you! Take care!!
Gravatar
Thorsten
Excellent beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your web site, how can i subscribe for a blog site? The account aided me a applicable deal.I were a little bit familiar of this your broadcast offered brilliant transparent idea
Gravatar
Margret
I just couldn't depart your website before suggesting that I extremely enjoyed the standard information an individual provide in your guests?Is gonna be back frequently to investigate cross-check new posts
Gravatar
Chas
Hiya very cool website!! Guy .. Beautiful .. Amazing ..I'll bookmark your web site and take the feeds additionally?I am happy to find numerous useful info here within the submit, we need work out extra techniques in this regard,thanks for sharing. . . . . .
Gravatar
Marquis
Very nice post. I absolutely love this website.Stick with it!
Gravatar
Eulalia
Hello Dear, are you really visiting this web site on a regular basis, if so afterward you will without doubt take good experience.
Gravatar
Kory
Hi, just wanted to tell you, I enjoyed this article.It was helpful. Keep on posting!
Gravatar
Archer
It's really a great and helpful piece of information. I am happy that you simply shared this useful info with us.Please keep us up to date like this. Thanks for sharing.
Gravatar
Ervin
I'm very pleased to uncover this website. I want to to thank you for your time due to this fantastic read!!I definitely really liked every bit of it and i also have you book-marked to check out new things on your website.
Gravatar
Ryder
Excellent blog post. I definitely love this site. Keep writing!
Gravatar
Jane
Hey there! I just would like to give you a huge thumbs up for the great information you have got right here on this post.I am returning to your site for more soon.
Gravatar
hi
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I truly appreciate your efforts and I am waiting for your next post thanks once again.
Gravatar
Claire
I've never heard of this city but the architecture is amazing!! It looks like an absolutely beautiful place. I find that with Germany a lot - sometimes the smaller less touristy towns nearby are way nicer - Like Bamburg which is near Nuremberg! This was a great read!
Gravatar
Julie Cohn
Beautiful photos. I have been to Mannheim in the winter, but not in the spring. I will have to make another trip back!
Gravatar
Sheena
Great post and your pictures are AWESOME. Adding Mannheim to when I visit Germany.
Gravatar
christine
Great guide. Looks like an interesting and beautiful city. I love your pictures.
Gravatar
neha
wow..both the palace and the church have beautiful architecture. And also such beautiful interiors. And the garden is so lush green and full of life. And finally the hotel room is so comfortable. And that bed absolutely makes me want to crawl into it and fall asleep :)
Gravatar
This is a gorgeous palace. It's made even better by the stunning grounds. What a perfect place to explore.
Gravatar
Ilana
Stunning pictures! The inspiration I was looking for, while planning my next German trip! Now, can't wait to visit Mannheim! Thanks for the inspiration

1000 Characters left


Related Articles

Mannheim Palace

The Jesuit Church Mannheim

Eltz Castle

Free Joomla templates by Ltheme