Mannheim has an impressive cultural landscape. Theaters abound in the city and offer plenty of opportunities for you to experience some unforgettable local performances.
National Theater a.k.a. The “Schillerbühne”
This Mannheim theater, the National Theater (Am Goetheplatz), is famous throughout the country. The esteemed playwright Schiller’s work “The Robbers” was performed here in 1782. Since that time, it has been given its nickname of the Schillerbühne, which means Schiller-stage.
The National Theater has held on to its preeminence over the centuries. These days, it is an important part of Mannheim’s cultural heritage.
Its modern-day performances range from ballet and drama to opera and children’s theater.
Alte Feuerwache
The Alte Feuerwache (Brückenstraße 2) is another Mannheim theater that enjoys a stellar reputation. It is a must for aficionados of music. Housed in what was once an old fire station, this neo-baroque structure hosts a wide variety of musical performances.
On any given day, you could hear hip hop, jazz or any other type of contemporary tunes. Young up-and-coming artists flock here to showcase their work and hit the big time. And on the flip side, this venue also attracts internationally-recognized artists as well. You never know who you’ll see, but you can guarantee that it will be an unforgettable experience.
Congress Center Rosengarten Mannheim
This Mannheim theater is a huge multipurpose conference center. The Rosengarten (English: Rose Garden, Rosengartenplatz 2) is an impressive example of Art Nouveau style, which fits in with the surrounding buildings near Friedrichsplatz as well as the city’s landmark, the Wasserturm (Water Tower).
One of its many functions is its use as a concert venue.
Freilichtbühne und Zimmertheater
The Freilichtbühne und Zimmertheater (Kirchwaldstraße 10) is an open-air theater combined with some small theaters that has a history going back to 1913. The first outdoors performance didn’t occur until 1950 but that open-air tradition has continued to this day.
Summertime is the best time to catch one of these unique, natural experiences. In the chilly fall and spring months, all shows are taken indoors.
