Karlsruhe

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search Karlsruhe City of Karlsruhe View over Karlsruhe Coordinates 49°1′0″N 8°24′0″E / 49.01667°N 8.40000°E / 49.01667; 8.40000Coordinates: 49°1′0″N 8°24′0″E / 49.01667°N 8.40000°E / 49.01667; 8.40000 Administration Country Germany State Baden-Württemberg Admin. region Karlsruhe District Urban district City subdivisions 27 quarters Lord Mayor Frank Mentrup (SPD) Basic statistics Area 173.46 km2 (66.97 sq mi) Elevation 115 m  (377 ft) Population 297,488 (31 December 2011)  - Density 1,715 /km2 (4,442 /sq mi) Founded 1715 Other information Time zone CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2) Licence plate KA Postal codes 76131–76229 Area code 0721 Website www.karlsruhe.de

Karlsruhe (German pronunciation: ; formerly Carlsruhe) is a city in the state of Baden-Württemberg, in southwest Germany, near the Franco-German border. Karlsruhe Palace was built in 1715 and the town is now the seat of two of the highest courts in Germany, the Federal Constitutional Court and the Federal Court of Justice.

It has been speculated that Karlsruhe was a model for Washington, D.C. as both cities have a centre from which the streets radiate outward.

Geography

The 49th parallel north in the Karlsruhe Stadtgarten

The city lies at an altitude between 100 m (on the eastern shore of the river Rhine) and 322 m (near the TV Tower). Its geographical coordinates are 49°00′N 8°24′E / 49.000°N 8.400°E / 49.000; 8.400; the 49th parallel runs through the city centre. Its course is marked by a stone and painted line in the Stadtgarten ("city park").

MiRO oil refinery

The city was planned with the palace tower (Schloss) at the center and 32 streets radiating out from it like the spokes of a wheel, or the ribs of a folding fan, so that one nickname for Karlsruhe in German is the "fan city" (Fächerstadt). Almost all of these streets survived until today. Because of this city layout, in metric geometry, Karlsruhe metric refers to a measure of distance that assumes travel is only possible along radial streets and along circular avenues around the centre.

The city centre is the oldest part of town and lies south of the palace in the quadrant defined by nine of the radial streets. The central part of the palace runs east-west, with two wings, each at a 45° angle, directed southeast and southwest (i.e., parallel with the streets marking the boundaries of the quadrant defining the city center).

The market square lies on the street running south from the palace to Ettlingen. The market square has the town hall (Rathaus) to the west, the main Lutheran church (Evangelische Stadtkirche) to the east, and the tomb of Margrave Karl Wilhelm in a pyramid in the buildings, resulting in Karlsruhe being one of only three large cities in Germany where buildings are laid out in the Neoclassical style.

The area north of the palace is a park and forest. Originally the area to the east of the palace consisted of gardens and forests, some of which remain, but the Institute of Technology (founded in 1825), Wildparkstadion, and residential areas have been built there. The area west of the palace is now mostly residential.

Panorama of Karlsruhe, looking south from the palace tower. The Institute of Technology is on the left, the Market square in the centre, the Federal Constitutional Court on the right. Note wings of the palace aligning with streets, all radiating out from the centre of town (i.e., the palace tower). 180 degree panorama from atop the palace tower, facing north. Climate

Karlsruhe experiences an oceanic climate (Köppen climate classification Cfb) similar to much of Germany. In comparison, Karlsruhe features hot summers and average to mild winters. Precipitation is almost evenly spread throughout the year. In 2008, the more than 130 years-old weather station in Karlsruhe was closed, which is replaced by a weather station in Rheinstetten, south of Karlsruhe.

Climate data for Karlsruhe/Rheinstetten, Germany for 1981–2010 (Source: DWD) Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Record high °C (°F) 17.5 (63.5) 22.0 (71.6) 26.7 (80.1) 29.2 (84.6) 33.3 (91.9) 37.2 (99) 38.5 (101.3) 40.2 (104.4) 32.8 (91) 29.5 (85.1) 21.8 (71.2) 19.2 (66.6) 40.2 (104.4) Average high °C (°F) 4.7 (40.5) 6.8 (44.2) 11.7 (53.1) 16.4 (61.5) 20.9 (69.6) 24.0 (75.2) 26.6 (79.9) 26.5 (79.7) 21.6 (70.9) 15.8 (60.4) 9.1 (48.4) 5.5 (41.9) 15.8 (60.4) Daily mean °C (°F) 2.0 (35.6) 3.0 (37.4) 6.9 (44.4) 10.7 (51.3) 15.2 (59.4) 18.3 (64.9) 20.6 (69.1) 20.1 (68.2) 15.6 (60.1) 10.9 (51.6) 5.8 (42.4) 2.9 (37.2) 11.0 (51.8) Average low °C (°F) −0.7 (30.7) −0.3 (31.5) 2.7 (36.9) 5.3 (41.5) 9.6 (49.3) 12.8 (55) 14.9 (58.8) 14.6 (58.3) 10.9 (51.6) 7.2 (45) 2.9 (37.2) 0.4 (32.7) 6.7 (44.1) Record low °C (°F) −20.0 (−4) −15.0 (5) −14.6 (5.7) −5.3 (22.5) −0.3 (31.5) 3.6 (38.5) 6.9 (44.4) 6.3 (43.3) 2.5 (36.5) −2.8 (27) −9.3 (15.3) −18.7 (−1.7) −20.0 (−4) Precipitation mm (inches) 58.0 (2.283) 55.8 (2.197) 59.0 (2.323) 52.7 (2.075) 77.6 (3.055) 76.4 (3.008) 75.3 (2.965) 58.7 (2.311) 57.9 (2.28) 73.5 (2.894) 63.3 (2.492) 75.2 (2.961) 783.4 (30.843) Mean monthly sunshine hours 56.7 87.8 131.2 182.7 218.4 232.1 253.9 237.3 174.4 110.9 65.5 45.6 1,796.43 Source: Data derived from Deutscher Wetterdienst

History

According to legend, the name Karlsruhe, which translates as Charles’ repose, was given to the new city after a hunting trip when Charles III William, Margrave of Baden-Durlach, woke from a dream in which he dreamt of founding his new city.

Charles William founded the city on June 17, 1715, after a dispute with the citizens of his previous capital, Durlach. The founding of the city is closely linked to the construction of the palace. Karlsruhe became the capital of Baden-Durlach and in 1771 of the united Baden until 1945. Built in 1822, the "Ständehaus" was the first parliament building in a German State. In the aftermath of the democratic revolution of 1848, a republican government was elected here.

In 1860 the first ever international professional convention, the Karlsruhe Congress, was held in the city.

Much of the central area, including the palace, was reduced to rubble by Allied bombing during World War II but was rebuilt after the war. Located in the American zone of the post-war Allied occupation, Karlsruhe was home to an American military base, established in 1945. In 1995, the bases closed and their facilities were turned over to the city of Karlsruhe.

Main sights

The Durlacher Turmberg has a look-out tower (hence its name). It is a former keep dating back to the 13th century.

The Stadtgarten is a recreational area near the main railway station (Hauptbahnhof) and was rebuilt in 1967 during the 'Federal Garden Show' (Bundesgartenschau). It is also the site of the Karlsruhe Zoo.

The city has two botanical gardens: the municipal Botanischer Garten Karlsruhe which forms part of the Palace complex, and the Botanischer Garten der Universität Karlsruhe which is maintained by the university.

Panorama of the courtyard of Botanischer Garten Karlsruhe.

The Marktplatz has a stone pyramid marking the grave of the city's founder. Built in 1825, it is the emblem of Karlsruhe. The city is nicknamed the fan city (Die Fächerstadt) because of its design layout, with straight streets radiating fan-like from the Palace.

The Karlsruhe Palace (Schloss) is an interesting piece of architecture; the adjacent Schlossgarten includes the Botanical Garden with a palm, cactus and orchid house, and walking paths through the woods to the north.

The so-called Kleine Kirche (Little Church), built between 1773 and 1776, is the oldest church of Karlsruhe's city centre.

The architect Friedrich Weinbrenner designed many of the city's most important sights. Another sight is the Rondellplatz with its 'Constitution Building Columns' (1826). It is dedicated to Baden's first constitution in 1818, which was one of the most liberal of its time. The Münze (mint), erected in 1826/27, was also built by Weinbrenner.

St. Stephan parish church

The St. Stephan parish church is one of the masterpieces of neoclassical church architecture in Southern Germany. Weinbrenner, who built this church between 1808 and 1814, orientated it to the Pantheon, Rome.

Grand Ducal burial chapel

The neo-gothic Grand Ducal burial chapel, built between 1889 and 1896, is a mausoleum rather than a church, and is located in the middle of the forest.

The main cemetery of Karlsruhe is the oldest park-like cemetery in Germany. The crematorium was the first to be built in the style of a church.

Karlsruhe is also home to a Museum of Natural History, an opera house (the 'Baden State Theatre'), as well as a number of independent theatres and art galleries. The State Art Gallery, built in 1846 by Heinrich Hübsch, displays paintings and sculptures from six centuries, particularly from France, Germany and Holland. Karlsruhe's newly renovated art museum is one of the most important art museums in Baden-Württemberg. Further cultural attractions are scattered throughout Karlsruhe's various incorporated suburbs. The Scheffel Association or literary society (established in 1924), is the largest literary organisation in Germany. Today the Prinz-Max-Palais, built between 1881 and 1884 in neoclassical style, houses the organisation and includes its museum.

Breweries and buildings in art nouveau style were predominant in the western city

Due to population growth in the late 19th century, Karlsruhe developed several suburban areas (Vorstadt) in the Gründerzeit and especially art nouveau styles of architecture, with many preserved examples.

Karlsruhe is also home to the Majolika-Manufaktur, the only art-ceramics pottery studio in Germany. Founded in 1901, it is located in the Schlossgarten. A 'blue streak' (Blauer Strahl) consisting of 1,645 ceramic tiles, connects the studio with the Palace. It is the world's largest ceramic artwork.

Another tourist attraction is the Centre for Art and Media (Zentrum für Kunst und Medientechnologie, or ZKM), which is located in a converted ammunition factory.

Government

Justice The Federal Constitutional Court of Germany

Karlsruhe is the seat of the German Federal Constitutional Court (Bundesverfassungsgericht) and the highest Court of Appeals in civil and criminal cases, the Bundesgerichtshof. The courts came to Karlsruhe after World War II, when the provinces of Baden and Württemberg were merged. Stuttgart, capital of Württemberg, became the capital of the new province (Württemberg-Baden in 1945 and Baden-Württemberg in 1952). In compensation for the state authorities relocated to Stuttgart, Karlsruhe applied to become the seat of the high court.

Public health

There are four hospitals: The municipal Klinikum Karlsruhe provides the maximum level of medical services, the St. Vincentius-Kliniken and the Diakonissen krankenhaus, connected to the Catholic and Protestant churches, respectively, offer central services, and the private Paracelsus-Klinik basic medical care, according to state hospital demand planning.

Economy

Germany's largest oil refinery is located in Karlsruhe, at the western edge of the city, directly on the river Rhine. The Technologieregion Karlsruhe is a loose confederation of the region's cities in order to promote high tech industries; today, about 20% of the region's jobs are in research and development.

Internet activities

Due to the University of Karlsruhe providing services until the late 1990, Karlsruhe became known as the internet capital of Germany. The DENIC, Germany's Network Information Centre, has since moved to Frankfurt, though, where DE-CIX is located.

Two major internet service providers, WEB.DE and schlund+partner/1&1, now both owned by United Internet AG, are located at Karlsruhe.

The Stadtwiki Karlsruhe is the biggest city wiki in the world.

The library of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology developed the Karlsruher Virtueller Katalog, the first internet site that allowed researchers worldwide (for free) to search multiple library catalogues worldwide.

In the year 2000 the regional online "newspaper" ka‑news.de was created. As a daily newspaper, it not only provides the news, but also informs readers about upcoming events in Karlsruhe and surrounding areas.

Rail yard, bypass road Südtangente

Transport

The Verkehrsbetriebe Karlsruhe (VBK) operates the city's urban public transport network, comprising seven tram routes and a network of bus routes. This network is well developed and all city areas can be reached 24/7 by tram and a night bus system. The Turmbergbahn funicular railway, to the east of the city centre, is operated by the VBK.

The VBK is also a partner, with the Albtal-Verkehrs-Gesellschaft and Deutsche Bahn, in the operation of the Karlsruhe Stadtbahn, the rail system that serves a larger area around the city. This system makes it possible to reach other towns in the region, like Ettlingen, Wörth am Rhein, Pforzheim, Bad Wildbad, Bretten, Bruchsal, Heilbronn, Baden-Baden, and even Freudenstadt in the Black Forest right from the city centre. The Stadtbahn is well known in transport circles around the world for pioneering the concept of operating trams on train tracks, to achieve a more effective and attractive public transport system, to the extent that this is often known as the Karlsruhe model tram-train system.

Karlsruhe is well-connected via road and rail, with Autobahn and InterCityExpress connections going to Frankfurt, Stuttgart/Munich and Freiburg/Basel. Since June 2007 it has been connected to the TGV network, reducing travel time to Paris to only three hours (previously it had taken five hours).

Oil port

Two ports on the Rhine provide transport capacity on cargo ships, especially for petroleum products.

The nearest airport is part of the Baden Airpark (officially Flughafen Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden) about 45 km (28 mi) southwest of Karlsruhe, with regular connections to airports in Germany and Europe in general. Frankfurt International Airport can be reached in about an hour and a half by car (one hour by InterCityExpress); Stuttgart Airport can be reached in about one hour (about an hour and a half by train and S‑Bahn).

Two interesting facts in transportation history are that both Karl Drais, the inventor of the bicycle, as well as Karl Benz, the inventor of the automobile were born in Karlsruhe. Benz was born in Mühlburg, which later became a borough of Karlsruhe (in 1886). Benz also studied at the Karlsruhe university. It also is interesting that Benz’s wife Bertha took the world's first long distance-drive with an automobile from Mannheim to Karlsruhe-Grötzingen and Pforzheim (see Bertha Benz Memorial Route). Their professional lives led both men to the neighboring city of Mannheim, where they first applied their most famous inventions.

Memorial for Baden Life Grenadiers in several wars, 1803–1918 Karlsburg Castle in Durlach