Friendly rolling hills covered with charming little woods and rows of neatly kept vineyard embrace the city. Should the passer-by grow curious as to what nectar the slopes yield, he will not have to wonder far along the clean, tidy streets to find somewhere offering a taste. Although wine production undoubtedly lent a helping hand to form the roots of the local economy and during the Middle Ages aroused considerable interest amongst the ruling class, the town's life, name and coat of arms are the result of a stud farm.
It is true that Stuttgart was not founded yesterday. It is a result of a 10th century decision by a certain Prince Luidolf who moved his horse farm to this swampy, deep valley basin. The earliest written record we have of this is the language of the time, in 1229 the horse farm was called Stuotgarten. Immediately the connection between the "stud garden" and today's city becomes clear. It should come as no surprise that the image of a rearing horse that so often represents the city has been on the coat of arms ever since this time. The settlement has been considered a city as far back as the 13th century, but the town really began to flourish and grow from insignificant to significant only about one hundred years later when Count Wirtemberg transferred his official residence to Altes Schloss, the castle here. With this Stuttgart became an official capital and residence in 1482.
The next few centuries were marred by the storms of history, political and economic uncertainties, the unpredictable fortunes of constantly changing rulers, battles and occupations. The changes in the 19th century, which transformed what had been a place of royal residence into an industrial city, had such dramatic effects that the changes are felt even today. During this time such industrialists as Gottlieb Daimler and Robert Bosch left their marks. They brought technology and development to the area, and it is due to their work that the area is a modern bastion of technology. Whether it be automobile manufacturing or computers, technology comes to mind when the name Stuttgart is mentioned. Of course right after technology comes the wine of the brilliant colours of the Canstatt Festival or Swabian cuisine or the Stuttgart Ballet.
During the Second World War, Stuttgart suffered heavy damage, but the city was quickly back on its feet again. It has been the capital of the Baden-Württemberg province since its founding in 1952 and has carefully preserved many long-standing traditions. This is something which makes a visitor's stay in this area very pleasant. The affluence of this city of 600 000 is good to see.
Everything is in order, the gardens on the mountainside are extremely tidy. They carefully preserve nature's integrity as well as the view of the castle, something that was not always what it is today.
In 950 the first version of the castle was built with the purpose of protecting the stud farm in mind. In 1570 Prince Ulrich had it rebuilt complete with a knightly echelon and a renaissance exterior. After the destruction caused by the Second World War, the present and final version was rebuilt. Today pieces from the collections of Stuttgart's princes of the 14th century are visible in the castle treasury. They collected everything that seemed rare, unusual or valuable and expensive. Among this treasures is a fresco from a Pompeian villa dating from A.D, 60 and an even older lion's head carved out of a mammoth tusk. Besides the valuable pieces of stained glass from the middle ages, the extensive collection contains historical relics as well. The collection of musical instruments on the fourth floor of the castle is definitely worth a look.
The Museum of Wine and Beer on the other hand preserve more mundane elements. The earliest record we have documenting the area's viniculture dates back to 1108, where a certain monk named Ulrich gave several vineyards to the monastery at Blaubeuren. The word monk or Mönch in German has been a part of the famous wines produced in the area ever since. Up until the 1930s, they auctioned off the freshly pressed must directly from the press houses. A decade later, the city's newly built system of cellars took over this responsibility, and in 1949 Stuttgart's very own viticulture came into being. The area's wine production is made up of nearly 70 percent redmainly Trollingers and Burgundis. Among the minority whites the Reislings are the most popular.
Only the industrial establishments that we have previously mentioned have a more profound effect on the city's everyday life than wine. Not only because Daimler-Chrysler, Bosch and Kodak are residents of Stuttgart and provide tens of thousands of job for the resident of nearby settlements and throughout the Neckar region, but also because the syndicates-true to their traditions-do their part to support local sports life and cultural events. The large companies have been active in the development of beautiful sporting establishment, cultural centers capable of hosting all types of events and other places of entertainment. It is perhaps due to this abundance of resources as well as to the thoroughness and diligence indigenous to the people of the area that Stuttgart is considered Germany's "secret" sporting capital. And after who else would they have named their large stadium, useful for more than just sporting competitions, than Gottlieb Daimler?
Those visitors interested in culture will not be disappointed in the least. Their needs may not be met by the museums the large corporations have set up to record their own history-although incidentally the museums have been designed in superior fashion. A very high standard of theatre, opera and ballet performances can bee seen at the Staatstheater. Hungarian crowds were able to find this out firsthand at Budapest's Spring Festival. Real stage treats are also offered by the numerous small chamber and underground theatre companies that perform throughout the year, whether well known permanent companies or groups that perform only on occasions. The city and state galleries have beautiful collections to offer and those interested in architecture can wonder at the wooden framed houses and gothic church of the northeastern district of Bad Canstatt. The romantic graphic material usually housed in the state gallery is not there at present. It can actually be seen in Budapest's Museum of Fine Art.
Júlia Szászi