Bruchsal, Baroque palace city in Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Bruchsal is a city at the western edge of the Kraichgau hill country in Baden-Württemberg, positioned around 20 kilometers (12 miles) northeast of Karlsruhe. The settlement spreads where gentle hills meet the flat Rhine lowlands, forming a center between these two landscape types.
The settlement appears in records from 796 as a Frankish royal manor and developed over centuries into a local administrative center. In 1720, the prince-bishops of Speyer moved their residence here and built the palace, which has shaped the urban form ever since.
The palace grounds host concerts, exhibitions and public events that draw visitors from across the region throughout the year. During market days, vendors and locals gather in the pedestrian zone to trade fresh produce and regional specialties from the surrounding Kraichgau countryside.
The center can be walked across easily, with footpaths and bike lanes connecting most key areas. Buses run regularly to different neighborhoods, making it simple to reach outer points without a car.
In the former Siemens industrial complex, the company Volocopter develops electric aircraft for urban air mobility. These prototypes are tested and refined on site, while other technology firms operate in the same area.
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