Stuttgart, Germany Attractions

Carl Zeiss Planetarium

The Carl Zeiss Planetarium presented its first displays of the nighttime skies in 1928, and was first known as a star theater. Located in the Schlosssgarten near the center of Stuttgart, the planetarium was destroyed by bombing raids during World War II and did not reopen until 1977. Today’s planetarium is housed in a pyramid-shaped building, and is one of the most popular astronomy displays in Europe. Different shows are presented and educational programs are offered. The planetarium is named after inventor Carl Zeiss, whose firm has manufactured optical devices since 1846, produces many of today’s projection systems for planetariums, and funds much of the Stuttgart facility’s current operations.