STUTTGART AND ITS VINEYARDS: A JOURNEY THROUGH HISTORY

When we think of Germany, beer is often the first thing that comes to mind. However, Stuttgart and its surrounding areas tell a different story. The tradition of growing vineyards in this region started with the Romans many years ago. Today, Stuttgart has over 17.5 hectares of vineyards, and most of them are easy to visit using public transport.

Aybars Dağ

Starting in Untertürkheim

Our journey began in the Untertürkheim area of Stuttgart. This was part of the Smart City Solutions program, and the goal was to explore the area and learn more about the city. With our professor’s guidance, we started a hiking walk through the streets of Untertürkheim, passing between beautiful houses. 

It was interesting to see how old and new styles are mixed together. For example, one part of the road was made of old stones, while the other part was asphalt. Our professor explained that this was done on purpose to show the connection between the past and the present.

What We Saw on the Way

While walking, we found an old resting place made of stones. It had symbols on it, one of which represented the Untertürkheim area. In the past, travelers used this place to rest and put their belongings on the stones. Today, it is still protected as a piece of history.

We also saw many vineyards along the path. Each one grew different types of grapes. I don’t know how many kinds there were, but I had the chance to taste a few. They were very delicious!

Grapkapelle: Where Love and History Meet

Our walk ended at Grapkapelle, a chapel built by the king of Baden-Württemberg. This chapel is a symbol of love and history. It was built in memory of a Russian princess, Katherina, who came to Germany because of the strong relations between the two countries at the time. After her early death, the king built this beautiful chapel to honor her. Today, it is known as “Lover’s Hill” and is visited by many people. The chapel is very impressive, and it holds the graves of the two lovers.

A View Over Stuttgart

From the hill, we had a great view of Stuttgart. We could see some Mercedes-Benz buildings from there. Stuttgart is where Mercedes-Benz started, and the company still has its main office in the city.

This trip showed us both the history and culture of Stuttgart, as well as its connection to vineyards. If you visit Stuttgart one day, I recommend taking a walk around Untertürkheim to explore this special area.