JOIN USTo start this with a confession, the first place I wanted to visit in Stuttgart was the Mercedes-Benz Museum. The silver-coloured majestic building left me in awe. The building’s interior is inspired by the double helix structure of the DNA spiral and reflects the brand’s philosophy to create radically new products to advance the cause of human mobility.
This is the only museum in the world that chronicles the auto giant’s growth over the last 125 years and is spread across a whopping nine levels with 160 vehicles and over 1,500 exhibits.
The museum provides visitors with free audio tours in a variety of languages. You can also take a guided tour by paying an extra amount. Taking a lift to the uppermost level of the museum, we arrive in the year 1886, where two museum tours gradually spiral their way down through the extensive collection. The first of the tours comprises seven Legend rooms which narrate the history of the brand.
The second tour groups the wealth of vehicles on display into five separate collection rooms, which thematically document the breadth and diversity of the brand portfolio and collection. Each level has a specific kind of vehicle showcased, whether it is the set of utility vehicles from the brand, its huge range of buses, and even its race cars. Of particular interest to me were the range of zero emission green cars – the environment-friendly automotives that merge class with a heart! At every level, there is also a vantage point for photography.
At each level, there is something extra as well — whether it is a small interactive station or a miniature model display or even an insight into technologies that add a zing to the entire experience. The tour is rounded off by the ‘Fascination of Technology’ display, which offers a glimpse into day-to-day work at Mercedes-Benz and also current topics concerning the future of the automobile. The racing zone is the place that attracts a lot of attention as visitors can actual indulge in a fair bit of digital racing and even experience the technology hands on! Keeping accessibility in mind, the museum is barrier-free in and around the exhibition area.
Ramps around the Mercedes-Benz Museum facilitate access for wheelchair users. The exhibition’s legend rooms are also equipped with DIN-standard ramps with intermediate platforms and handrails at wheelchair height. Throughout the exhibition, there are satellite lifts serving all levels. Likewise the non-slip flooring, appropriate toilet facilities, swivel doors at the entrance to the exhibition, wheelchair and wheeled walker availability, as well as audio guides with headphones adapted for hearing aid users makes the venue accessible for all. On request, the Mercedes-Benz Museum can also offer tours for the blind. Disabled guests have priority at the ticket desk of the Mercedes-Benz Museum.
Once you are done with the museum, head to the Museum Shop spread over 500 square metres and offers you the largest range of Mercedes-Benz products. Whether it is current fashion, an innumerable range of high-quality model cars in various sizes, or even fascinating literature about the history of Mercedes-Benz, it’s all here. Though it is slightly on the pricier side, there are several options so you should be able to pick up a souvenir even with a small budget.
Architecture and design meet here and there is a plethora of pens, stationery, magnets, key chains, luxury watches, offers for children and a wide range of gifts bearing the famous Mercedes star. Also at the adjoining section is a space where you can also design, draw and model your own car in the Mercedes-Benz fascination of technology rooms!
While you are here, you can never go hungry. The gastronomic facilities available deserve a special mention. Apart from the cafe that serves some delicious cakes amongst other delicacies, check out the wide range of regional and international specialties at the restaurant or make a pit stop at the terrace bar.
An absolute delight, this museum will appeal to the entire family. This is certainly a space where innovation and history merge and this must be on your to-do list while in Stuttgart.