Summary
Prior to 1844, Ludwigshafen consisted mainly of swamps, a fortress, and several villages situated on the left bank of the Rhine. However, with the advent of industrialization and the growth of chemical enterprises such as BASF, a city emerged just opposite Mannheim.
Named in honor of Ludwig I of Bavaria, Ludwigshafen is often underestimated but boasts significant offerings in contemporary art, particularly at the esteemed Wilhelm-Hack-Museum, and has recently initiated redevelopment of its riverfront with projects including the Rhein-Galerie mall.
Moreover, it is impossible to discuss Ludwigshafen without referencing BASF, which is home to an informative visitor center providing insights into the largest chemical manufacturer globally.
Here are the top attractions to explore in Ludwigshafen:
1. Wilhelm-Hack-Museum
The foremost modern and contemporary art museum in Rhineland-Palatinate is prominently located in the city center.
This is exemplified by the vibrant 55 x 10-meter mosaic on the southeastern façade, created by the acclaimed Joan Miró.
Referred to as the Miró Wall, this piece dates back to 1979 and consists of 7,200 tiles, which were fired in Gallifa, near Barcelona, before being transported to Ludwigshafen via mule, rail, and road.
The interior of the museum is remarkable, featuring works by the likes of Mondrian, Malevich, Kandinsky, Roy Lichtenstein, and Andy Warhol.
An engaging side exhibition showcases artifacts from Roman and Frankish graves unearthed in nearby Gondorf, alongside medieval ivory, metalwork, and stone and wood sculptures and paintings.
2. BASF Visitor Centre
More than 150 years after the establishment of the initial BASF factory in Ludwigshafen, the company has become the largest single employer in the city, with a workforce of 35,000 individuals.
The acronym BASF stands for Badische Anilin- und Soda-Fabrik (Baden Aniline and Soda Factory). For those with limited time, the interactive visitor center provides an exhibition detailing the numerous everyday applications of chemistry, the company’s origins, and the extensive range of products currently produced.
Additionally, free guided tours of the 10-square-kilometer facility are available, conducted in twelve different languages.
3. Parkinsel
Situated in the Rhine, slightly to the south of the city, lies a semi-circular river island that has recently emerged as a desirable residential area in Ludwigshafen.
Parkinsel is not a man-made creation; rather, it detached from the mainland in the 1890s during the dredging of the harbor.
With its curved shape along the river’s bend, the eastern section of Parkinsel is a large crescent-shaped garden adorned with a mantle of centuries-old woodland.
This provides a tranquil environment for relaxation alongside the Rhine.
The park is particularly appreciated for its old-growth ash, oak, field maple, and hawthorn trees that line its pathways.
4. Wallfahrtskirche Mariä Himmelfahrt
Located in the Oggersheim district is an impressive church constructed in 1775, reflecting a blend of Baroque and Neoclassical architecture.
This church integrates an earlier chapel erected in 1729, inspired by the Santa Casa in the Italian pilgrimage town of Loreto.
Within that chapel is a depiction of Mary, Mother of God, flanked by two angels, crafted by the 18th-century Mannheim court sculptor Paul Egell.
The magnificent high altar in the main church, commissioned from the Flemish architect Peter Anton von Verschaffelt, features artwork by Georg Oswald May, who is also known for his two portraits of Goethe.
5. Rhein Riverside
Recent residential developments along the left bank of the Rhine and the introduction of the new Rhein-Galerie mall have enhanced the city’s proximity to the river.
Consequently, the city has installed a series of informative boards containing facts and narratives regarding Ludwigshafen’s relationship with the renowned river.
Particular emphasis is placed on the industrial activities along the Rhine, including a monument featuring one of the large pumps manufactured by the nearby Halberg industrial pump factory.
From the left bank, visitors can catch sight of prominent landmarks in Mannheim, such as the Baroque Palace.
6. Wildpark Rheingönheim
Covering 30 hectares of dense woodland to the south of Ludwigshafen, the animal park features European species residing in expansive enclosures.
The park provides semi-natural habitats for various species, including bison, aurochs, red deer, wild boars, lynxes, and wild cats.
Outside the enclosures, visitors can traverse open areas where moufflons, peacocks, roe deer, and sika deer may cross their path.
The park also includes numerous information signs that elaborate on the dietary habits and behaviors of its animals, while providing insights into the biology of the surrounding trees.
7. Schillerhaus Oggersheim
The renowned literary figure Friedrich Schiller was a resident of this building in Oggersheim from October 13 to November 30, 1782. At that time, the establishment functioned as the Zum Viehhof Inn, where Schiller stayed under the alias “Dr. Schmidt” as he traveled to Mannheim to attend the premiere of his play, The Robbers, despite being under restrictions from the Duchy of Württemberg.
During his stay at the inn, Schiller composed the initial manuscript for his play, Fiesco.
The gallery features manuscripts and first editions, along with exhibits pertaining to the history of Oggersheim and the notable Frankenthal Porcelain Factory, which operated from 1755 to 1799.
8. Ebertpark
On the western side of the city lies Ebertpark, a public space established in 1925 for the Süddeutschen Gartenbau-Ausstellung (South German Horticulture Exhibition). Named after Friedrich Ebert, then President of Germany, the park features an elegant formal garden with geometric flowerbeds, fountains, and a cultured pavilion housing a restaurant.
For enthusiasts of modern architecture, the Friedrich-Ebert-Halle, designed by Austrian architect Roland Rainer, is noteworthy for its paraboloid roof.
9. Ernst-Bloch Zentrum
Ludwigshafen is famously associated with the influential 20th-century Marxist philosopher Ernst Bloch.
His critical work, The Principle of Hope, addresses humanity’s inherent pursuit of a socially and technologically advanced future.
This major work was composed during his residence in the United States and published in three volumes during the 1950s.
The Ernst-Bloch Zentrum features exhibitions about his life, emphasizing his relationships with figures such as Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill, while exploring the central themes in his writings.
Additionally, the reconstructed study of Bloch can be viewed overhead through a glass ceiling.
10. Endlose Treppe
In front of the Wilhelm-Hack-Museum stands a highly regarded sculpture by Swiss architect and artist Max Bill.
Endlose Treppe, completed in 1985 to commemorate Ernst Bloch’s centenary, features a serpentine staircase composed of 19 granite steps, symbolizing Bloch’s Principle of Hope.
A fascinating aspect of this sculpture is that while all steps share identical dimensions, varying appearances emerge from light and shadow interplay.
11. Maudacher Bruch
For those seeking a countryside stroll, Maudacher Bruch offers a vast, horseshoe-shaped wetland system and forest situated at the city’s fringe.
This area has a rich geological past, serving as a remnant of an ancient river meander.
Approximately in 900 BC, the river altered its course, leading to lush vegetation surrounding the resulting standing water.
Over centuries, a low moor took shape, and in the 1900s, peat extraction occurred for fuel purposes.
Since the 1970s, this 523-hectare expanse has been protected, inviting visitors to wander through meadows and floodplain forests, which host 500 plant species and over 100 bird varieties.
12. Festival des Deutschen Films
This event serves the German film industry and occurs every June by the waterside on Parkinsel.
The 2018 edition marks the 14th occurrence of this film festival, with each iteration witnessing increased attendance.
For instance, in 2016, a record 112,000 tickets were sold, surpassing the previous year’s 88,000.
In large temporary tents shaded by trees along the Rhine, approximately 245 film screenings and 90 discussions and Q&As take place.
Movies screened are selected independently of the directors’ renown, allowing both established and up-and-coming talent from the German film landscape to showcase their work.
13. Katzinett – Katzenmuseum
Just a street away from Ebertpark lies an eccentric private museum dedicated entirely to felines.
This museum can be likened to a cat-themed cabinet of curiosities, reflected in its clever name “Katzinett”. The collection prominently features Art Nouveau pieces and artifacts from the Belle Époque, which comprise a substantial portion of its 11,000 cat figurines.
Additionally, numerous pieces from the Royal Copenhagen porcelain factory can be found here.
Among the unique items are a cat-shaped opium pipe from the 19th century and memorabilia associated with Choupette, the Birman cat belonging to Karl Lagerfeld, which was born in 2011.
14. Mannheim
Throughout, a significant urban center lies just across the Rhine, so close that it feels nearly attainable.
A mere five-minute ride on the S-Bahn connects the two cities’ main train stations.
While Mannheim is larger and more bustling, it also distinguishes itself from Ludwigshafen through its organized layout.
Developed under Frederick IV in the early 17th century, the city features a strict grid pattern that earned it the moniker Die Quadratestadt, or “City of Squares.” Consequently, Mannheim is home to notable attractions such as the Technoseum and the Zeughaus, showcasing classical sculpture alongside furniture, paintings, and textiles spanning from the 1600s to the 1900s.
Furthermore, it was in Mannheim that Karl Benz invented the Benz Patent-Motorwagen, recognized as the world’s first automobile.
15. Rhein-Galerie
Designed to offer an unobstructed view of the Rhine, this mall features 130 stores located in Ludwigshafen’s shopping district.
The Rhein Galerie opened in 2010 with an investment of €220 million, aimed at spurring development along the left bank of the Rhine.
Within the mall, visitors will find numerous international brands, such as H&M and Zara, alongside beloved German retailers like Esprit, S. Oliver, and Jack Wolfskin.
Should you not find what you seek, another substantial shopping destination is just a short distance away at Rathausplatz, which houses a branch of the prominent German retailer, Saturn.
