Schlossplatz (Palace Square)

Schlossplatz in Stuttgart (Palace Square) is the city's grand central square and the best place to start exploring the capital of Baden-Württemberg. Framed by the baroque New Palace, the colonnaded Königsbau, the Old Castle and the glass cube of the Kunstmuseum, it's a green oasis of lawns, flowerbeds and fountains around a tall jubilee column. It's free, open around the clock, and right on Stuttgart's main shopping street.

Getting there

Stuttgart is about 2 hours from Munich and 1.5 hours from Frankfurt by ICE train. From Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof, simply walk about ten minutes down the Königstraße pedestrian street. The underground Stadtbahn (light rail) stop "Schlossplatz" lies directly beneath the square, and the bus stop of the same name is where all night buses depart.

A little history

In the early 1800s, the square was a dusty parade and drill ground in front of the royal residence. From the 1860s onward, it was gradually turned into a garden, and its present layout dates from the 1977 Federal Garden Show.

The Jubilee Column in the center, about 32.6 m (107 ft) tall, honors King Wilhelm I of Württemberg's 25 years on the throne. A wooden column was first put up for the celebrations in 1841, and the stone version designed by Johann Michael Knapp followed in 1846. The figure on top is Concordia, goddess of harmony, because the king reportedly refused to have a statue of himself.

What to see

• New Palace (Neues Schloss): built from 1746 to 1807 for the dukes and kings of Württemberg, inspired by Versailles. Rebuilt after World War II, it now houses state ministries.
• Königsbau: the long neoclassical colonnade along Königstraße, begun in 1855; today it's linked to a shopping mall.
• Fountains and bandstand: two cast-iron fountains from 1863 and a music pavilion from 1871.
• Kunstmuseum Stuttgart: the art museum's glass cube from 2005, on the site of a palace that burned out in 1944 and was demolished in 1963.
• Old Castle (Altes Schloss): the medieval castle on the south side, home to the Württemberg State Museum.

Tips for your visit

Allow 30 to 60 minutes for the square itself. On sunny days, locals picnic and relax on the lawns, so join them. The square hosts big events throughout the year, from open-air concerts to outdoor screenings during the International Festival of Animated Film in late April or early May, and since 2018 illuminated sculptures have decorated it during Advent. The paths are flat and easy to navigate with a wheelchair or stroller.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, as the natural starting point for any day in Stuttgart. Most of the city's main sights, museums and shopping streets are within a short walk, and the square is lovely both in daylight and when the palace facades are lit up at night.

Nearby

• Schlossgarten: the palace gardens behind the New Palace, with a lake and the opera house.
• Schillerplatz and Stiftskirche: a few steps south behind the Old Castle.
• Stuttgart TV Tower: panoramic views over the city, reachable by light rail.
• Porsche Museum: in Zuffenhausen, a short S-Bahn ride away.

Christmas market 2026

Stuttgart's Christmas market runs from 25 November to 23 December 2026, Sunday to Thursday 11 am to 9 pm and Friday and Saturday 11 am to 10 pm. On opening day the stalls open at 5 pm, followed by the opening ceremony at 6 pm in the courtyard of the Old Castle. On Schlossplatz you will find the children's fairy-tale land with a miniature railway, a mini Ferris wheel and a vintage carousel. More in our guide Stuttgart Christmas market 2026.