StadtPalais – Museum für Stuttgart

Current exhibitions

About the museum

King Wilhelm I of Württemberg had the building constructed between 1834 and 1840 to plans by court architect Giovanni Salucci for his daughters Marie and Sophie. From 1887 until the end of the monarchy in 1918, it was home to Wilhelm II, the last King of Württemberg. During the air raids of 1944, the palace burned down to its outer walls.

During reconstruction from 1961 to 1965, the interior was given a modern design; for almost five decades afterward, the building housed Stuttgart's city library. When the library moved to its new building on Mailänder Platz in 2011, the way was clear for a dedicated city museum, something Stuttgart had not had until then. The 2009 competition had been won by the firm Lederer Ragnarsdóttir Oei together with the designers Jangled Nerves.

After conversion work beginning in late 2013, the StadtPalais opened in April 2018. The municipal museum sees itself as an open house for the entire city community: the permanent exhibition "Stuttgarter Stadtgeschichten" (Stuttgart City Stories) traces the city's development from the late 18th century to the present, complemented by changing, mostly free exhibitions on pop culture, urban development, and contemporary issues, a children's construction site, the dark exhibition "Blind Date mit Stuttgart", and a packed program of events.

Highlights

• Walk-in city model with multimedia projections as the entry point to the permanent exhibition
• Two "century rooms" with original objects from 200 years of city history
• Dark exhibition "Blind Date mit Stuttgart" with blind and visually impaired guides
• Children's construction site for building and play, open on Mondays too
• Special exhibition "BALLETTWUNDER" on the history of the Stuttgart Ballet (until April 2027)
• Free admission to the permanent exhibition and most special exhibitions

Permanent exhibitions

• Stuttgarter Stadtgeschichten – A tour of the city's development from the late 18th century to the present, starting from a large city model, with listening stations, media tables, and two rooms full of original objects.
• Blind Date mit Stuttgart – In seven completely darkened rooms, blind and visually impaired guides lead small groups through re-created Stuttgart locations – experienced only through touch, hearing, and smell.
• Kinderbaustelle – Play area where children can build, dig, and construct as if on a real construction site; open daily and free of charge.

Founded

2018

Operated by

Landeshauptstadt Stuttgart

Director

Torben Giese

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission: Fridays 18:00–21:00 free admission, including to "BALLETTWUNDER" ("Langer Freitaaag").

The permanent exhibition "Stuttgarter Stadtgeschichten", the children's construction site, and the special exhibitions in the Salon, Hall, Gallery, and Foyer are free; currently only "BALLETTWUNDER" charges admission.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Step-free entrance on Urbanstraße with accessible parking spaces; elevators (door 90 cm, car 180 × 180 cm); wheelchair-accessible restroom on the mezzanine. Tactile floor guidance strips from the entrances, Braille orientation at the stairwells, touch objects with QR codes in the permanent exhibition. Free folding stools; one locker at seated height.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Playground / play area
• Kids’ birthday parties

Free children's construction site (daily 10:00–18:00, only with an accompanying adult, socks required) with a conveyor belt, scaffolding with a slide, and a reading corner. Family tours (60 min.) for children from first grade, creative activities during school holidays for ages 6 and up. Children's birthday parties for ages 6 to 12 (approx. 2.5 hours).

Getting there & parking

Easy to reach by bike (main cycle route 1); bike racks on Urbanstraße and at the Charlottenplatz stop.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Coat check
• Lockers

Café im StadtPalais (Tue–Sun 10:00–22:00, run by the team of Im Wizemann) with seating on the outdoor steps. Coat check and lockers on the mezzanine.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

The Saal Marie (around 150 m²) is available for private parties, conferences, workshops, and similar events; service and catering through the partner Im Wizemann.

Plan your visit