How about we step back to 1730? That was the year the story of Friedrichsplatz in Karlsruhe began. It started as a garden and park in the style of an English garden. This transformation took place on what is now Friedrichsplatz.
Back then, it was called Erbprinzengarten after Crown Prince Ludwig. Fast forward to 1856. Ideas arose to redesign the park. The reason? The collections of books, coins, and minerals in Karlsruhe Palace were growing fast. Space was becoming tight.
A new building was needed for these collections. It had to be in a central public location. Grand Duke Friedrich I of Baden initiated an architectural competition. The brief included a museum and a representative plaza. Karl Joseph Berckmüller, a student of Weinbrenner, won.
Berckmüller designed the State Museum of Natural History. He also planned some other buildings around the new square. These included houses and state ministries of Baden. Opposite the Natural History Museum, a fountain by Karl Mayer was erected in 1874.
The completion of the Natural History Museum split the former Erbprinzengarten. The southern part became the Nymphengarten. The northern part was named after Friedrich I. Today, Erbprinzenstraße cuts diagonally through it.
After World War II, many buildings on Friedrichsplatz were damaged or destroyed. Some were rebuilt, and new ones were added. Erich Schelling, an architect from Karlsruhe, helped plan the new buildings.
Since about 2010, events like the Christkindlesmarkt have moved to Friedrichsplatz. This is because of construction work in the marketplace. The plants are partially removed for these events. Friedrichsplatz offers a home to several important buildings. The Baden State Library, designed by Oswald Mathias Ungers, stands here.
Also present is the State Museum of Natural History Karlsruhe by Josef Berckmüller. The Catholic Church, designed by Friedrich Weinbrenner, is nearby. You will also find the Karlsruhe City Library. It stands where the former Ständehaus used to be.
The ECE shopping center Ettlinger Tor Karlsruhe is another landmark since 2005. Today, Friedrichsplatz is home to the Karlsruhe Chamber of Industry and Commerce. A branch of the Baden-Württembergische Bank is also located here.
The square got its name in 1866. It was named after Grand Duke Friedrich I of Baden. Friedrichsplatz is often used for events. These include city anniversaries, Folkloria, and the “Informatiknacht”. Until 2012, there was even an ice rink in winter.
In 2013, the Christkindlesmarkt took place here for the first time. The marketplace was closed due to construction. The flower market has also been held here since January 13, 2014. During the marketplace closure, the oleander tubs found a temporary home on Friedrichsplatz. These tubs are usually placed on the marketplace by the horticultural office during the warmer months.
Before it was named Friedrichsplatz, the park was part of Prince Karl Ludwig’s castle. It included his wife Amalie. Around 1800, the park was designed in the style of an English garden. Today, Friedrichsplatz continues to be a vibrant center. It hosts events and provides green space in the heart of Karlsruhe.