Wilhelma is a botanical gardens and zoo, apparently the result of King Wilhelm I’s attempts to emulate the Alhambra in southern Germany in the mid-ninteenth century. Alongside the striking Moorish architecture, an impressive range of wild animals reside in some disturbingly poky glass boxes.
Neckartalstrasse, 70342 Stuttgart - Bad Cannstatt
tel: 711 5402 0;
www.wilhelma.de
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Highlights include the reptiles and tropical fish area, a polar bear enclosure with pool, and the Amazonian rainforest enclosure with tropical butterflies. If you are walking through the nearby gardens of Bad Cannstatt or the Rosensteinpark, you may encounter a pair of parrots who "escaped" from the zoo over 10 years ago and have been living neaby ever since. The Wilhelma is popular with children and has various activities throughout the year.
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