Summary: For a city that did not survive the Second World War, Mannheim does better than most of its counterparts. Its not enough though to recommend as a destination.
The city of Mannheim was once the illustrious capital of the Upper-Rhine. From here ruled the Palatine Electors, the Dukes of Baden and the industrial barons of the German Empire. Of their legacy, virtually nothing survives. Nevertheless, since you might find yourself here having to change trains to go somewhere else, let me give you a quick tour of what’s left.
Despite some major gaps, the Neckarstadt appears to have largely survived WWII
Should I visit Mannheim?
| Rating Category | Score |
|---|---|
| Tourism | 2 |
| Historical Preservation | 1 |
| Cultural Immersion | 4 |
| Interaction | 5 |
| Final Score | 3 |
Tourism Rating
From a tourism perspective, Mannheim does not pretend to be a tourist attraction, catering rather to business men and trade fairs. There is little to no tourist infrastructure, but that’s ok because there’s no reason for tourists to come here either. But the palace is pretty cool so its it gets a 2 out of 10.
Historical Preservation
In terms of historical preservation, there is none. It’s on par with your average German city and receives a 1.
Cultural Immersion
In terms of cultural immersion, it has a nice restaurant scene and a lively city center. It is however, mostly a commuter and student town, so the culture that you are experiencing is perhaps not the one you are interested in. I give it a 4, because its got more life to it than Frankfurt.
Interactivity Rating
Its a major city, so everything is easily accessible, lots of public transport and published opening hours. It only looses points in interactivity for really not having much to interact with. 5.
The Conclusion: No, there is realistically no reason for you to visit Mannheim unless you are already there.
How to See Mannheim
Unlike the other cities of the Rhineland, Mannheim does not have a long history into the distant past. (If you are more interested in the ancient past I have an article with some itinerary guides for this portion of the Rhineland.) Sitting at the mouth of the Neckar River as it flows into the Rhine, there are traces of small settlements from the Roman period on-wards and evidence of a castle built here in the Middle Ages.
Prior to it’s destruction in WWII, Mannheim had a collection of buildings from two eras, the Baroque cityscape of the Palatinate and the architecture of the German industrial revolution, namely late historicist and art nouveau.
If you want to read about Mannheim in more detail check out this article here:
Travel Guide to Mannheim
The city of Mannheim was once the illustrious capital of the Upper-Rhine, though virtually nothing survives. Nevertheless, since you might find yourself here by accident let me give you a quick tour of what’s left.
Mannheim Opening Hours
The few destinations of note in Mannheim have fairly convenient opening hours:
| Destination | Opening Hours |
|---|---|
| Electoral Palace | Tuesday-Sunday 10am–5pm |
| Palace Chapel | Tuesday-Sunday 10am–5pm |
| Jesuit Church | Everyday 9am–7pm |
In addition, there are a few other smaller museums in Mannheim that might be of special interest, such as the Schiller House and the Reiss-Engelhorn Art/History Museum.
Conclusion
Mannheim has a number of very nicely reconstructed buildings. However, these don’t make up for the catastrophic losses in WWII and in the later decades of the 20th century. If you have already seen all the other palaces in Europe, I could make a case for Mannheim, otherwise get on that train to Heidelberg.
If you want to explore the region around Mannheim instead, see these suggestions:
Exploring the Electoral Palatinate
The Electoral Palatinate is a forgotten land within the borders of modern-day Germany. Centered on the city of Heidelberg the region offers its sweeping vistas of the Rhine valley, ancient churches and the small towns snugged away in the forest and valleys of the Rhenish highlands.
Top Three Destinations in the Palatinate
If you had only a single day or perhaps a few days in the Palatinate, what would you see? This short list should narrow down the options quite significantly and help you decide where to go. Though if you have more time on your hands, then check out the more detailed itineraries.
Traditional Foods of the Palatinate
Like any region in Germany, the Palatinate has its share of unique flavors and dishes. Don’t miss out on its main culinary contributions to German cuisine.
Return to the Electoral Palatinate
