The district Mitte (Centre) of today comprises the area first mentioned in the 10th century as “Stutengarten“. During air strikes in the Second World War, many historic buildings were destroyed. In their stead, new buildings and quarters emerged. The old part of the city which still exists today comprises the Königstraße and the Eberhard-Planie. Here in the centre of Stuttgart, where there is hustle and bustle during the day, various events compete for people’s attention at night. Yearly festivals like the Weindorf or the Sommerfest in the city centre are known well past the borders of Stuttgart. The most famous attraction however is without doubt the Alte and the Neue Schloss (old and new castle). The Alte Schloss was created after its reformation from an old water castle from the 10th century. The water supply came from a well since 1490 which was piped from Kaltental into the castle. Since 1918, the Alte Schloss was turned into a museum. A fire destroyed large parts of the building in 1931; during an air strike in the Second World War, the Alte Schloss was again destroyed. In 1946, the reconstruction began. The Landesmuseum in its present form exists since 1971. In the Renaissance courtyard, several events take place. The Neue Schloss took over 60 years to build. Duke Carl Eugen lay down the cornerstone for his castle in 1746 at 18 years old. After the death of Duke Carl, Duke Friedrich II had the rooms redecorated by Nikolaus von Thouret. After the Neue Schloss was also destroyed in 1944, its reconstruction began in 1958. Today the rooms are used by several ministerial accounts and for representation purposes. In the vicinity of both castles is the most important church of Stuttgart, the Stiftskirche. It is said to have stood on this spot before the year 1000. The Stiftskirche itself was rebuilt and added to several times during the centuries. It is only a few steps from the Stiftskirche to the market square whose dominant point is the town hall with its bell tower. The centre of Stuttgart is not only the location of many sights; it is also the centre of the Parliament and the University. Private links about Stuttgart-Mitte.