Mannheim is love at second sight. The first thing you notice here are the industrial buildings with their cold grey walls. But then you are captivated by the charm and beauty of the town. "Believe me, I'm staying here", sings the band "Söhne Mannheims" in their song "Meine Stadt" (my town) – and rightfully so.
Facts
310,658 Inhabitants ¹
19,838 Students ²
5 Higher education institutions ²
WELCOME TO MANNHEIM
“Mannheim²“ – this is how the city calls itself. This has nothing to do with mathematics but with the unique layout of Mannheim’s city centre. The city’s streets are laid out in a grid pattern. These blocks surround the Baroque Palace in the shape of a horseshoe. The famous palace, which today houses the university, is always in the middle of the grid. As if this weren’t unusual enough, the streets in the city centre have no names but are referred to by a combination of letters and numbers, for example C1 or L5. This makes it much easier to find your way about because you don’t have to remember any complicated street names.
If you’re studying at the university, you might be lucky enough to have a lecture in the Baroque Palace, where you can admire the magnificent halls. This is a very special feeling. But you can also visit the palace at other times. You only have to pay admission if you want to visit the museum in the middle section.
Wandering through the city centre, you’ll soon notice how green Mannheim is. There are lots of parks, which attract crowds of people especially on sunny days. The locals often stroll along the shopping streets, known as the “Planken“, before they end the day at the Wasserturm.
Friedrichsplatz is right next to the Wasserturm. After an extensive tour of the town, you can cool off at the fountain. A few metres further along is the Luisenpark, rightly considered one of the most beautiful parks in Europe. An entrance fee is charged but you can admire lots of tropical plants, the Chinese Garden and animals.
Tip
You should definitely party at Schneckenhof, where the legendary University of Mannheim parties take place. Make sure you get a ticket well in advance because the open-air parties usually sell out really quickly!
If you fancy seeing Mannheim from above, it’s worth visiting the television tower. You will then have not only the city but the two Rhine and Neckar rivers at your feet. You also get a glimpse of the neighbouring towns of and Ludwigshafen.
Interview
SEVILAY FROM TURKEY
LIVING IN MANNHEIM
If you’re looking for a typical student town, Mannheim is just right. There are numerous restaurants where you can eat at a very reasonable price. Restaurants and snack bars often offer student discounts.
Once you’ve eaten your fill at a hip café and shopped till you dropped at the numerous shops and boutiques on “Planken“, explore the Jungbuschviertel. You can enjoy a cocktail in one of the many bars while listening to the bands of tomorrow.
But also bigger events like concerts, film screenings and cabaret evenings are on offer.
The people of Mannheim love to spend time on the Rhine or Neckar rivers. The promenades are ideal for this. You can meet friends here and contemplate the industrial sites on the opposite side of the river. This contrast is what makes up the charm of the city: on the one hand nature and public parks, on the other, workers loading transport ships.
Sports fans will find plenty to do in Mannheim, especially at the weekend. The town is ice-hockey mad and cheers on its team in the SAP Arena. You should definitely attend a match and experience the unique atmosphere!
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