“Benzingeruch und Elektropower” fills the air here at the Verkehrsmuseum Karlsruhe. This museum tells the story of transportation. It covers 200 years of mobility. This journey spans road and rail.
Karlsruhe is the city of inventors. Karl Drais and Karl Benz called it home. The Verkehrsmuseum Karlsruhe honors them. Drais invented the Draisine in 1817. It was a two-wheeled vehicle. People propelled it by pushing off the ground. Benz created the first automobile in 1885.
The Verkehrsmuseum Karlsruhe has been in a former factory since 1969. This factory once made electrical appliances. The museum is in Karlsruhe’s Südstadt. It is run by volunteers.
Inside the Verkehrsmuseum Karlsruhe, find over 200 exhibits. They range from the Draisine to automobiles. One highlight is the former official Mercedes. It belonged to Mayor Günther Klotz. Another treasure is the Bergmann Liliput. It is a small car made in 1905. Only two of these cars remain.
The Verkehrsmuseum Karlsruhe features many historical items. You can explore old bicycles and motorcycles. The museum displays cars and railway models. It showcases technical inventions. The Verkehrsmuseum Karlsruhe introduces inventors from the region. These include Karl Drais and Felix Wankel. Wankel invented the Wankel engine.
Models of Baden’s first train are here. They also have models of Baden locomotives. Apprentices built these models. They worked at the Karlsruhe repair shop. This was between 1910 and 1914.
One of Germany’s largest model railways is on the third floor of the Verkehrsmuseum Karlsruhe. It covers 80 square meters. More than 25 trains run on it every Sunday. The display was built in the 1960s. You can also find tinplate railways here. There are also 1:10 scale models.
Don’t miss the DKW Schnellaster F800/3. It is a 1960 van. Pneuhage provided it for the Verkehrsmuseum Karlsruhe exhibition.
A Formula Student Team KA-RaceIng e.V. race car is also on display. It’s the KIT16e. This high-tech electric race car won the world championship in 2016.
The Verkehrsmuseum Karlsruhe keeps the spirit of innovation alive. It honors the past. It also looks to the future. Step inside. Explore the world of transportation. Experience the legacy of Karlsruhe’s inventors at the Verkehrsmuseum Karlsruhe.