Karlsruhe

Karlsruhe, also known as the "Gateway to the Black Forest", is situated in one of the most beautiful regions of Europe and is an ideal starting point for journeys through Germany, France and Switzerland.

As a major traffic hub, the city is well connected to the main motorways and rail network. With the ICE, Karlsruhe can be reached in just one hour from the Frankfurt airport and in less than two hours from the EuroAirport Basel.

In Karlsruhe culture enthusiasts will get their money's worth. The city offers a diverse museum landscape with the Landesmuseum in Karlsruhe Castle, the Staatliche Kunsthalle with its impressive collection and the Museum of Natural History with its fascinating vivarium.

With around 316,000 people, Karlsruhe is the second largest city in Baden-Württemberg. Karlsruhe is well-known for its history, as well as cultural and historical buildings.

The striking Karlsruhe Baroque Castle was built between 1715 and 1718. It served margraves, then electors and great-grandparents of Baden for 200 years as a residential and government seat. The Karlsruhe castle is the center of Karlsruhe's city plan, the so-called "fan", formed by 32 radial roads. Particularly well visible is this from the castle tower, on which the visitor can climb. In the Karlsruhe castle itself, various exhibitions and events can be viewed. Around the castle Karlsruhe offers the perfect opportunity to relax in the castle parks, go on a sport or just have a break.

The Pyramid on the Market square is the landmark of Karlsruhe. It stands between the Town Hall and the Town Church. Under the Pyramid is the crypt of the Concordia church, which was demolished in 1807. Karl Wilhelm von Baden-Durlach, the founder and planner of the city, should be buried here. The above-mentioned interior is not connected with the sarcophagus of the margrave.

The Botanical garden is located between the Castle garden, the Orangerie and the Federal Constitutional Court. More than 40,000 different plants from all over the world grow there. In the garden, surrounded by fountains, green trees and flowers in various colors one can relax on a bench with a cup of coffee, while in the greenhouse one can admire: sculptures, cactuses, palm trees, birds and much more for curious visitors.

The Tower Hill (Turmberg) is the landmark of Durlach. Since 1888 the Turmbergbahn has been climbing up the hill. In the back of the hill is a large playground for children as well as the Waldseilpark Karlsruhe. Besides gastronomy and wine-tasting, you can look forward to a unique view of Karlsruhe.

Karlsruhe offers one of the best-known places for media and art enthusiasts. The ZKM contains exhibitions on subjects such as acoustics, images, new media and much more. In the industrial building of a former ammunition factory, visitors can actively participate in exhibitions. Research and production, exhibitions and events as well as archives and collections are combined in the ZKM. The visitor is given the opportunity to discuss art and science.

For gourmets, Karlsruhe is worth a culinary discovery trip. The Baden cuisine is widely known and offers many regional specialties. It is distinguished by its high quality and the use of regional products. The proximity to France is evident not only in the local cuisine but also in the excellent wines.

Subotica

The city of Subotica lies on the north of the Republic of Serbia, in the Vojvodina region, along the main European transit routes and between two rivers: the Danube and the Tisa. Abundant cultural heritage with astoundingly decorated buildings, multicultural spirit of Serbian and Hungarian origin, as well as overall European charm – these are all the features that make this city worth visiting. Subotica has made its name thanks for its relaxed atmosphere, spendid food and wines of the highest quality. Festivals, events, concerts, vibrant cultural life all year long are nothing short of and are an additional reason to visit this city.

Palić, the lake and the settlement by the same name that are 8 kilometres east of Subotica offer something new, unrepeatable and unforgettable at any season for its visitors. Outstanding facilities from the beginning of the 20th century: the Water Tower, the Grand Terrace, the Women’s Lido and the Music Pavilion, the splendid park, the well-known lake, peace and silence make Palić an ideal space for rest and relaxation. At the moment Palić provides high category hotels, renowned luxury and comfortable villas in the so called “Palić style”, as well as numerous lodgings and private boarding houses.

The City Hall, the very centre and the landmark of Subotica, was built between 1908 and 1912. It is 76m high and covers an area of 5838 m². The design of the Hall was done by Komor and Jakab, the famous Budapest architects. The decorative features of Art Nouveau are combined with the pecularities of the Hungarian folklore, embelished by floral elements made of ceramics and wrought ironwork forging. The Council Hall and its splendid stained glass windows are the heart of the building. It is being used for Assembly sessions, concerts, weddings and important gatherings. Likewise in the past, the City Hall hosts city administration, the Historical archives, boutiques and banks. City Hall's 45 m high observatory attracts visitors with the unforgettable panoramic overview of Subotica and itssurroundings.

Raichle Palace: It was built in 1904 by the architect Ferenc Raichle with the intention to make his home and his design studio. Expensive materials combined with the unusual combination of colours, the variety of forms and the breath-taking interior and the backyard make this sumptuous house an exceptional example of the Art Nouveau architecture. At present, it hosts the Modern Art Gallery “Likovni susret”.

The Water Tower: The architects of the building envisaged entering the Grand Park and resort through abundantly decorated entrance – The Water Tower. It was designed in Hungarian Art Nouveau style, inspired by folk elements: handicrafts, laces and embroidery. This symbol of Palić was formally open in 1912.

The Cathedral was built in late baroque style and is dedicated to the patron saint of Subotica, St. Theresa of Avila, whose figure appears in the city’s coat-of-arms as well. It was built in 1779 and has been renovated several times since then. In 1974, the Pope awarded the church with the title of a smaller basilica.

Franciscan Church: This Church dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel was erected in 1736, on the ruins of the medieval fortress dating from the 15th century. Attached to it is a friary with a chapel dedicated to the votive painting, the Black Madonna. The church, known as a neo-Romanticism building, is part of the Franciscan monastery.

Main Square: Unlike many European towns, in Subotica the City Hall dominates the Main Square instead of a church or a cathedral. The City Hall is a masterpiece of Hungarian version of Art Nouveau built in 1912. It is next to the park with a fountain and a vast square where many concerts and bazaars are held throughout the year. It is surrounded by the building of People's Theatre that is undergoing a major reconstruction. Originally it was a classic style building characterized by six Corinthian columns. On the Eastern side of the square there is a neo-baroque building of The Public Library. The two Atlases carrying one of the nicest balconies in the city make this building charming. The Emperor Jovan Nenad Monument in the middle of the square represents a controversial historical figure. He styled himself emperor and pronounced Subotica his capital in 1527, but all lasted for a very short period of time. Not far from the monument there are two fountains. The Green Fountain (1985) and the Blue Fountain (2001) are the pearls of the city centre. Both were made of Zsolnay tiles, likewise all decorative ceramics and roof tiles of the city’s Art Nouveau buildings.

Serbian Subotica-Horgoš wine region is a part of the great Pannonian sands between the rivers Danube and Tisa. Here, vineyards cover belt north of Subotica and Palić. The experience of grape growers and winemakers have resulted in the natural selection of grape varieties that proved to possess the best qualities of adaptation to the local climate and dominantly sandy terrain while at the same time capable of producing wines of the highest quality. There are quite some number of wineries, from small family wineries and cozy wine cellars to a world-class estate recognized beyond the borders of the country.