Karlsruhe Things to Do Tips by leics

Decipher the signposts

Between the Marktplatz and the Palace are a whole lot of signposts (there are some more by the Hauptbahnhof) .

They are in German (obviously) and seem to consist of various quotes/statements about community, life, freedom etc.

I've started to work out a few of them, but there wasn't time when I visited to do them all on the spot.

Doing so would be in interesting way to spend half an hour or so. I suspect much of what they say is thought-provoking.

And I've just found out they are part of the Karlsruhe 'Freedom Walk'; you can get a leaflet from the Tourist Info office which leads you to the various posts.

Directions: Walk stright towards the Palace from the Marktplatz; you'll have to pass through the signposts.

Check out the street sculpture

Lots of this too, both statues and fountains. So nice to see it neither defaced by graffiti or damaged in some way, as would so often be the case in the UK.

If I'd had more time I would have made a point of seeking out and photographing all the street art. But these are the ones which caught my eye as I wandered.

Directions: All over the place in the centre of Karlsruhe. Keep your eyes open!

Explore the parks and gardens

Lots of these........Karlsruhe is a very green place, in both senses of the word.

The gardens and parkland around an behind the Palace are particularly lovely. I didn't spend long there, but I could see that on a sunny Saturday afternoon it was a popular place to be. No sense of threat from loud groups of young people, just people wandering around, playing outsize chess, playing with their children (or dogs......the one in the fountain photo was having a wonderful time) or just sitting and enjoying the sun (or the shade).

A good place to relax for a while, I think.

Excellent museum.

The Baden State Museum in the Karlsruhe Palace is one of the best small-ish museums i've been to. It contains exhibits from prehistory to the present day, beautifully presented (although only labelled in German).

I especially enjoyed the prehistoric, Roman and Middle ages sections. Many (most) of these exhibits come from elsewhere around the Mediterranean, although there are some Roman pieces found locally. Some of the Roman statuary is stunning. There is a good mock-up of a Roman wine-cellar.

The Medieval wooden church carvings are very beautiful and really underline the great skill of their makers.

There is a fascinating collection of late Medieval anatomical models/art, and the 'Turkish spoils of War'; beautiful carpets and delicately-moulded leather and metalwork.

I didn't make it to the 1700s-onwards section; too hot, too tired (and I wanted to see the firemen in the Marktplatz).

Well worth taking an hour or two to explore.

Address: Karlsruhe Palace

Directions: Once you are in the centre of Karlsruhe the palace is unmissable. Take any tram which goes to Marktplatz.

Open Tues-Thurs 10-5 Fri- Sun 10 - 6

Phone: +49 (0) 7219266514

Website: http://www.landesmuseum.de