Schillerplatz

Schillerplatz is a cobbled square in Stuttgart’s Old Town, framed by the Old Castle, the Stiftskirche and other historic buildings. At its centre, a monument to poet and playwright Friedrich Schiller has stood since 1839. Pause here to take in the surrounding architecture, then continue to the nearby church or castle. On Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings, a flower market brings stalls to the square; in December, decorative Christmas Market stalls fill the space, along with large crowds.

The Schiller monument and the square

Schillerplatz takes its name from Friedrich Schiller, the German poet and playwright. A monument to him was installed in the middle of the square in 1839. It was the first public monument in Germany dedicated to a civilian.

The cobbled square is compact, so it is easy to pass through while exploring the Old Town. Pause by the monument and look around at the historic buildings that enclose it.

Buildings around Schillerplatz

The Old Castle and Stiftskirche stand beside the square. Other historic buildings include the Alte Kanzlei, or Old Chancellery, and the Fruchtkasten, a former granary dating to 1390. The Fruchtkasten adjoins the choir of the Stiftskirche.

The buildings’ window designs are worth a closer look for the way they shape and catch the light. Schillerplatz is also a place for seasonal markets: a flower market is held on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings, and Christmas Market stalls fill the square in December.