History of Stuttgart

Stuttgart’s roots extend back to the 10th century, when the city was known as Stutengarten, derived from a stud farm owned by one of the dukes of Swabia. But the history of the city’s environs date back to pre-Roman times, when the area was settled by a Germanic tribe known as the Alemanni.

Early years

In the 1st century AD, the Romans built a fortress in the area of Cannstatt. But in the following centuries, the area experienced a succession of different rulers including the Franks, Charlemagne and the Carolingians. It wasn’t until the 9th century that the area became part of the duchy of Swabia, which extended through much of southern Germany as well as many regions of France and Switzerland.

The Middle Ages

The Middle Ages were a turbulent time for Stuttgart, with rival factions vying for power in the terrible Thirty Years’ War. And more misfortune was to hit the area in later centuries, when a famine struck the region. In 1818, King Wilhelm I inaugurated an annual Cannstatter Volksfest to celebrate the city’s endurance during the famine.

Major developments

The 19th century saw the advent of industrialisation, with Bosch’s invention of the spark plug and Daimler’s petrol engine revolutionising the region. Württemberg united with the German empire in 1871, and became a major centre for automobile manufacture. Both Porsche and Daimler-Benz started manufacturing here in the early 20th century, but despite the presence of these motor giants, the city remains one of the greenest cities in Europe.

Careful town planning led to the preservation of large parks and vineyards, which extend into the city centre. Many of the historic structures and landmarks also survive, though many of the city’s buildings were levelled during WWII. Stuttgart's population today is about 600,000, and the city is one of the most prosperous in Germany.