Wilhelma Theater

About

The Wilhelma Theater in Stuttgart is a jewel of 19th-century architecture and one of Germany’s oldest surviving civic theaters. Commissioned by King Wilhelm I of Württemberg and designed by architect Ludwig von Zanth, it opened in 1840 as a summer theater for spa guests in Bad Cannstatt. Built in Moorish Revival style to complement the nearby Wilhelma gardens, the theater was a cultural gift to the public, replacing the king’s original plan for a casino. After decades of varied use—including private performances, cinema screenings, and eventual closure—the building was meticulously restored between 1985 and 1987 to its original splendor. Today, it serves as a performance venue for the Stuttgart University of Music and Performing Arts, hosting over 150 events annually, from opera and drama to chamber concerts and puppet theater. With its richly painted interiors and intimate 349-seat auditorium, the Wilhelma Theater remains a treasured stage for artistic expression and historical continuity.

Stuttgart Germany
Wilhelma Theater
Location

The Wilhelma Theater is located at Neckartalstraße 9 in the Bad Cannstatt district of Stuttgart, directly adjacent to the Wilhelma Zoological-Botanical Garden. This historic theater is set within a vibrant cultural and natural setting, offering diverse performances including plays, music, and cabaret. Nearby, visitors can explore the extensive botanical gardens and zoo of Wilhelma, known for its Moorish-inspired architecture, as well as the expansive Neckar riverbanks. The area is well connected by public transport and provides easy access to picturesque walking routes along the river as well as cafes and restaurants around Bad Cannstatt, making it a lively destination combining arts and nature.​

The Wilhelma Theater is located at Neckartalstraße 9 in the Bad Cannstatt district of Stuttgart, directly adjacent to the Wilhelma Zoological-Botanical Garden. This historic theater is set within a vibrant cultural and natural setting, offering diverse performances including plays, music, and cabaret. Nearby, visitors can explore the extensive botanical gardens and zoo of Wilhelma, known for its Moorish-inspired architecture, as well as the expansive Neckar riverbanks. The area is well connected by public transport and provides easy access to picturesque walking routes along the river as well as cafes and restaurants around Bad Cannstatt, making it a lively destination combining arts and nature.​
Mercedes-Benz Museum Mercedes-Benz Museum Museum Porsche Museum Porsche Museum Museum Landesmuseum Württemberg Landesmuseum Württemberg Museum Haus der Geschichte Baden-Württemberg Haus der Geschichte Baden-Württemberg Museum StadtPalais – Museum für Stuttgart StadtPalais – Museum für Stuttgart Museum Linden-Museum Linden-Museum Museum State Museum of Natural History Stuttgart State Museum of Natural History Stuttgart Museum Weissenhofmuseum im Haus Le Corbusier Weissenhofmuseum im Haus Le Corbusier Museum Hegel-Haus Hegel-Haus Museum Theodor-Heuss-Haus Theodor-Heuss-Haus Museum Stuttgart Tram Museum Stuttgart Tram Museum Museum Stuttgart Wine Museum Stuttgart Wine Museum Museum Pig Museum Pig Museum Museum Stuttgarter Feuerwehrmuseum Stuttgarter Feuerwehrmuseum Museum Stuttgart Police Museum Stuttgart Police Museum Museum Lapidarium Stuttgart Lapidarium Stuttgart Museum Art Museum Stuttgart Art Museum Stuttgart Museum Staatsgalerie Stuttgart Staatsgalerie Stuttgart Museum Museum Hotel Silber Museum Hotel Silber Museum Fruchtkasten - Musikinstrumentenmuseum Fruchtkasten - Musikinstrumentenmuseum Museum bibliorama - the bible museum stuttgart bibliorama - the bible museum stuttgart Museum Gottlieb-Daimler-Gedächtnisstätte Gottlieb-Daimler-Gedächtnisstätte Museum Stauffenberg-Erinnerungsstätte Stauffenberg-Erinnerungsstätte Museum Staatstheater Stuttgart Staatstheater Stuttgart Theatre Friedrichsbau Theater Friedrichsbau Theater Theatre Renitenztheater Renitenztheater Theatre Theaterhaus Stuttgart Theaterhaus Stuttgart Theatre Theater am Olgaeck Theater am Olgaeck Theatre Theater tri‑bühne Theater tri‑bühne Theatre Theater Atelier Theater Atelier Theatre Kammertheater Kammertheater Theatre Schauspielbühnen Stuttgart Schauspielbühnen Stuttgart Theatre Stage Apollo Theater Stage Apollo Theater Theatre Ifa Gallery Stuttgart Ifa Gallery Stuttgart Museum Galerie Schlichtenmaier Galerie Schlichtenmaier Gallery EXOgallery EXOgallery Gallery Galerie von Braunbehrens Galerie von Braunbehrens Gallery Galerie Mensing Stuttgart Galerie Mensing Stuttgart Gallery Altes Schloss Altes Schloss Museum Neues Schloss Neues Schloss Castle Schloss Solitude Schloss Solitude Castle Grabkapelle auf dem Württemberg Grabkapelle auf dem Württemberg Historical Landmark Hohenheim Palace Hohenheim Palace Palace Stiftskirche Stiftskirche Church Markthalle Markthalle Market Wilhelma Wilhelma Zoo Schlossgarten Schlossgarten Park Höhenpark Killesberg Höhenpark Killesberg Park Rosensteinpark Rosensteinpark Park Weißenburgpark Weißenburgpark Park Bärenschlosspark Bärenschlosspark Park Monumental Square Monumental Square Historical sites Schillerplatz Schillerplatz Historical Landmark Kaiser Wilhelm I Statue Kaiser Wilhelm I Statue Statue Neckarbrücke Bad Cannstatt Neckarbrücke Bad Cannstatt Bridge Fernsehturm Stuttgart Fernsehturm Stuttgart Tourist attractions Aussichtsplattform Birkenwaldstraße Stuttgart Aussichtsplattform Birkenwaldstraße Stuttgart Observation deck Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle Concert Hall Geroksruhe Aussichtspunkt Geroksruhe Aussichtspunkt Observation deck Carl-Zeiss Planetarium Stuttgart Carl-Zeiss Planetarium Stuttgart Planetarium Swabian Observatory e.V Swabian Observatory e.V Observatory ForstBW - House of the Forest ForstBW - House of the Forest Museum Grave chapel on the Wuerttemberg Grave chapel on the Wuerttemberg Historical Landmark Heslacher Wasserfälle Heslacher Wasserfälle Tourist attractions Ruine des Hasenbergturms Ruine des Hasenbergturms Historical Landmark Skulpturen Park Skulpturen Park Park Aussichtspunkt Hasenbergsteige Aussichtspunkt Hasenbergsteige Observation deck Max-Eyth-See Max-Eyth-See Lake Burg Hofen Burg Hofen Castle F3 Das Wohlfühlbad F3 Das Wohlfühlbad Tourist attractions Killesbergturm Killesbergturm Observation deck