Justice’s silent sentinels stand tall. The Oberlandesgericht Stuttgart. Its imposing presence dominates the Stuttgart Justizviertel. This isn’t just a building it’s a living testament to centuries of legal history.
The Oberlandesgericht Stuttgart isn’t a newcomer to the scene. Its roots stretch back to 1460. Then it was the Württembergisches Hofgericht a court that travelled with the ruling Duke. Later it found a permanent home in Tübingen. The Oberlandesgericht Stuttgart as we know it emerged in 1879. This was after the formation of the German Empire. It continues its vital function today.
This imposing structure you see before you wasn’t always so grand. The original building erected in 1879 was destroyed in 1944 during World War II. The war left its mark. It destroyed the building that housed both the Oberlandesgericht and the Landgericht. After the war the Oberlandesgericht shared space with other courts in surviving buildings. A new nine-story high-rise nicknamed the “Tower of Justice” was built for the Oberlandesgericht between 1950 and 1953. The current building at Olgastraße 2 and Ulrichstraße 10 was completed in 1982. The high-rise was then given to the Landgericht.
But the Oberlandesgericht’s history is more than just bricks and mortar. The Nazi era cast a long shadow. Many records from that time were lost in the war. We know that Jewish employees were dismissed. A special court the Sondergericht Stuttgart operated within the Oberlandesgericht building. This court dealt with political and criminal cases. A state security senate within the Oberlandesgericht itself also dealt with cases of treason. After the war the Oberlandesgericht played a significant role in the Stammheim trial against members of the Red Army Faction. Many trials of this senate take place in a special building on the grounds of the Stuttgart-Stammheim prison. Security is paramount.
The Oberlandesgericht Stuttgart has a fascinating artistic side too. Notice the sculpture “12 Kanten” by Christoph Freimann. This abstract work of red painted angle iron stands on a conical base in front of the building. Another artwork “Die Auseinandersetzung” or “The Confrontation” by Karl-Henning Seemann is located in the courtyard. It depicts two figures locked in a struggle. This piece reflects a humorous anecdote involving a Tübingen professor and a winegrower. These works add a touch of unexpected beauty to a place often associated with somber matters.
Today the Oberlandesgericht Stuttgart continues to be a significant legal institution. Its president since 2023 is Andreas Singer. It stands as a symbol of justice in the heart of Stuttgart a place where history and the pursuit of justice intertwine. The building itself is a silent witness to the changing times. It speaks volumes about the past present and future of the legal system of this region.