New Palace (Neues Schloss)

18th-century baroque royal palace facing Schlossplatz, now Baden-Württemberg state offices

The New Palace is Stuttgart's most imposing building — a long baroque facade facing onto Schlossplatz, with wings extending back toward the royal gardens. Construction began in 1746 and took 61 years to complete, spanning several generations of Württemberg rulers and the shift from duchy to kingdom. The interior was destroyed in World War II bombing; reconstruction was completed in 1978.

Today the palace serves as the official seat of the Baden-Württemberg state government. The exterior, with its central pediment and symmetrical wings, is one of the finest examples of 18th-century baroque architecture in southwest Germany. The courtyard opens onto the Schlossgarten park, which runs north through the city to the main train station.

State government offices occupy most of the interior, and regular access is limited, but the exterior and courtyard are freely accessible at all times. Occasional open days allow visits to the state reception rooms.

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A story
The New Palace took nearly 60 years to complete — begun in 1746 and finished in 1807. By the time it was done, the Württemberg dukes who commissioned it had been elevated to kings, so the building that was meant to be a ducal residence became a royal palace. It was gutted by Allied bombing in 1944; the reconstruction took until 1978. Today it houses state government offices, and only the ceremonial rooms on the ground floor are occasionally open to the public.