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Die Quadratestadt is what the German nationals word the third largest piece of land in Baden-Württemberg of Germany. In English, Die Quadratestadt means the City of Squares. This terminology draws inspiration from the unconventional geometry of the overall architecture of Mannheim which never ceases to astound the senses of the viewers. It is calmly situated in the southwestern region of Germany, serving as a home to more than 300,000 German folks. This city holds the honorary title of “UNESCO City of Music.” That comes as a perk of being an eminent member of UNESCO Creative City Network. Did we mention it’s also a smart city? Well, we did now. One can blame the city’s mesmerizing aura that invites giant waves of tourists and travelers that can’t resist the charm of Mannheim. It even engineered its own catchy tourism slogan that states “Leben Im Quadrat” meaning Life Squared. Talking about symbols and slogans, Mannheim also hosts a water tower that stands 200 feet tall, which effectively serves as a symbol of attraction.

Now, let’s take a deep dive into the history of Mannheim. The name of this city was first penned in a legal transaction dating early back in 766. The fact that this state-of-the-art marvel was a mere village during the middle ages is a bit hard to swallow. From standing the grievous injuries from the dreaded Thirty Years War to sustaining severe damage from the hands of the French army during the infamous Nine Years War, Mannheim endured a mountain full of adversities during the early modern years. However, things started to look up with the dawn of the eighteenth century.

The brilliant “School of Mannheim” came into existence during the eighteenth-century era. Although this “school” was no formal institution, it was a glorious idea that conveyed the incredible orchestral techniques coined by the court orchestra of Mannheim, while it also referred to the acclaimed group of composers of the orchestra of Mannheim. Saying that Mannheim hosted the finest court orchestras would still serve as an understatement. This all was the courtesy of Carlo Grua, the prominent composer from Italy who held the designation of Kapellmeister for the electoral court at Mannheim.

During the nineteenth century, Mannheim steadily progressed towards the technological advancements in several areas. In these years, Karl Drais invented the first bicycle and a few years further into the time, Baden Aniline and Soda Factory came into being, due to the wise efforts of Friedrich Engelhorn which has now emerged as one of the largest chemical companies in the world. This tide of technological progression in the nineteenth century still had one last invention to boast of. The honored automobile and engine designer, Karl Benz patented the first motor car in the year 1886. In the early half of the twentieth century, Mannheim suffered the consequences of the First World War. However, it was the Second World War that delivered the most devastating damage to the city. The air bombings during this war razed the city to the ground. Thousands of citizens who dwelled in Mannheim lost their lives and the city was reduced to a piece of a ruined land. But, these winds of gloom soon disappeared from the scene as soon as the Second World War neared its conclusion.

The reconstruction of Mannheim began swiftly during the mid and late twentieth century. The Mannheim National Treasure, the Mannheim Palace, and the water tower were restored to their former strength and dignity. The reconstruction didn’t cease at that, in 1964, the University of Medicine was established. In 1967, the University of Mannheim came into existence. The Federal Horticulture Show, May Market, and several other developmental advances were made in the post-war era.

It is important to note that Mannheim has played well in the sphere of theatre as well. In the year 1779, National Theatre Mannheim was erected on the grounds of this city. In the present day, the Manheim National Theatre is one of the oldest, if not the oldest theatres in all of Germany. In 1782, a play by eminent poet and philosopher Johann Christoph Friedrich von Schiller, known as Die Räuber or The Robbers in English was premiered at this theatre. In recent times, Mannheim has supported the foundation of a few small theatres such as Oststadt-Theater, Theater im Quadrat G7, the Freilichtbühne, and a few more on the trail. These small hosts of stages invigorate the spirit of many budding artists who are fascinated by the art of drama and theatre.

In the education grounds, Mannheim stands as an accomplished figure. The University of Mannheim, which was founded in 1967 is one of the renowned universities in the German territory. The areas of Economics and Business offered by the University of Mannheim attracts the interests of many, all across the globe. The sheer fame of this university earns it the title of the Harvard of Germany, something that defines its renowned presence. The Mannheim University of Applied Sciences is also an influential structure in the domain of education that is situated in the city of Mannheim. Apart from that, several academic structures are offering valuable teachings in the sphere of art, theatre, and music. All-in-all, when it comes to education, Mannheim covers a considerable ground to scale almost all areas of academics, making it a firm figure in the education zone.

In the current time, Mannheim stands as a city that is revered all across the globe. From sports to education and further down to business industries, Mannheim holds a strong footing in all the areas. Even after suffering catastrophic, and to a certain extent, near-annihilating waves of time, it has managed to not only survive, but also thrive, flourish, and ultimately develop into a magnificent city. It has achieved wondrous accomplishments in several different areas. No wonder it stands as one of the most influential cities in not just Germany, but in the entire world. Needless to say, this German city is steadily marching on a well-structured developmental route towards a brighter future.