Stuttgart’s Opera House, home to the Staatsoper Stuttgart and the Stuttgart Ballet, stands on the edge of the Oberer Schlossgarten. Opened in 1912 and designed by architect Max Littmann, the grand theatre brings a stately presence to the park, with its columns, sculptural details and sweeping stone façade.
One of the few major theatres in Germany to survive the Second World War largely intact, the Opera House remains central to Stuttgart’s cultural life. Its stage is closely associated with choreographer John Cranko, whose work helped establish the Stuttgart Ballet’s international reputation in the 1960s. Today, opera and ballet performances continue to draw audiences from well beyond the city.
Even without a ticket, the building is worth a look from the park, particularly in the evening when the façade is illuminated and audiences gather for a performance. If you plan to see a show, book ahead for popular productions; guided tours are another way to see the auditorium when available. The Opera House is also an easy walk from Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof and Schlossplatz.