Karlsruhe celebrates its 300th birthday

At the beginning of the 18th century Margrave Karl Wilhelm built Karlsruhe according to the ideal of an absolutistic city. It began with a palace and 32 streets radiating out from it like sun rays. To encourage people to settle in the newly founded town, he granted newcomers liberation from serfdom, freedom of religion, freedom from taxes and duties, and freedom of religion. He also provided land and building materials free of charge. Today the grave of the city’s founding father is a landmark. The Karlsruhe Kunsthalle is one of Germany’s oldest museum buildings and holds the collections of the princely house of Baden. The Center for Art and Media is an important venue for contemporary art. Founded in 1989, it serves as a think tank, exhibition venue and museum.