Website of Ludwigsburg

Federal state: Baden-Württemberg                                                                
Location: north of Stuttgart
Population: 90,000
Mayor: Mathias Knecht
Distance from Nový Jičín: 807 km
Industry: engineering, metalworking, textiles and food processing
Agriculture: viticulture and fruit growing
Twin towns: Nový Jičín (Czech Republic), Montbéliard (France), Caerphilly (United Kingdom), Yevpatoria (Ukraine), Saint Charles (USA)
Twinning with Nový Jičín: since 1991
Twinning agreement: Formally signed on 19 May 2012 in Ludwigsburg and on 21 July 2012 in Nový Jičín.

The town of Ludwigsburg is situated approximately 12 kilometres north of Stuttgart in the federal state of Baden-Württemberg. It lies on the River Neckar. Ludwigsburg is a jewel of Baroque architecture, founded in the early 18th century. Today, in a modern spirit, it blends history with the present, offering attractions such as magnificent palaces, romantic gardens, bustling shopping streets and unique social events. The cultural centre of the town is the Forum by the Palace Park, which, alongside the neighbouring palace, is the main venue for the renowned Palace Festival.

The town boasts no fewer than three palaces: the magnificent Residential Palace, the Favorite hunting lodge and the Monrepos water palace. The Residential Palace is Ludwigsburg’s greatest pride and joy. One of Germany’s largest Baroque palaces, it forms the magnificent centrepiece of the town. It was commissioned by Duke Eberhard Ludwig between 1704 and 1733. It boasts 452 rooms spread across 18 buildings and is home to four new museums. The Duke originally intended to build merely a summer residence for hunting expeditions and summer stays. Following the example of other princes who founded towns, he ultimately decided to build a palace. This ‘Swabian Versailles’ is permanently surrounded by the ‘Blooming Baroque’ garden exhibition. The unique park, featuring garden art from various periods and regions, covers an area of 30 hectares.

Since 1758, the Residential Palace has housed an exhibition of handcrafted porcelain – the only one of its kind in Baden-Württemberg. Porcelain experts from all over the world appreciate the valuable and unique pieces produced locally. Here, visitors can see special vases suitable as wedding gifts, dinner services bearing a family crest or monogram, and many other ceramic products, including, amongst other things, almost life-size horses.

In the central park, there is an exact replica of Franz Barwig’s sculpture group *Dancing Peasants*, the original of which adorns Masaryk Square in Nový Jičín.

Most famous events

Castle Festival – the largest and oldest cultural festival
Venetian Festival – masks, costumes, theater... (every 2 years)

Horse Markets – the oldest horse markets in the country (May)
San Cassiano – similar to the Nový Jičín town festival, but lasting several days (late April/early May)

Points of interest

From September to November, the world's largest pumpkin exhibition takes place on the grounds of the Residential Palace; over 400,000 pumpkins are on display, with a different theme each year.
Notable figures who lived here include the German writer, poet, and playwright Friedrich Schiller, and the German Protestant theologian, philosopher, and writer David Strauss.

Basic phrases:

Hello/Goodbye – Guten Tag/Auf Wiedersehen
Where is the hotel/restaurant/train station, please? – Bitte, wo ist das Hotel/das Restaurant/der Bahnhof?
I would like to order... – Ich möchte gern … bestellen.
Thank you/You're welcome – Danke/Nichts zu danken
Do you speak English/German/French? – Sprechen Sie englisch/deutsch/französisch?
I am from the Czech Republic/Nový Jičín – Ich komme aus der Tschechischen Republik/aus Neutitschein