stuttgart central station

Located near the city centre, the main line station is a terminus, whilst the subterranean S-Bahn and Stadtbahn stations are through stations. A plan to convert the main line station to a through station, called Stuttgart 21, has been proposed in recent years and was officially approved in 2007. The station is well known for its 12-storey tower with a large, rotating and illuminated Mercedes-Benz star insignia on top.

The foundations of the modern station (which is the second "central station" to be built in Stuttgart - the first central station stood until 1866 in Bolzstrasse) were set in 1914. Following delays caused by the First World War the original plan to cover the main hall with a glass roof were abandoned. The station was officially opened on 21 October 1922 although construction work was not completed until December 1927. The architect was Paul Bonatz. All 17 platforms were converted to electric power in 1933.

During the Second World War the Hauptbahnhof was severely damaged a number of times by allied bombing.

The building's façade bears an illumination featuring a quotation from Stuttgart-born philosopher Hegel (only visible at night) "… daß diese Furcht zu irren schon der Irrtum selbst ist." [… whether this fear of error is not just the error itself.]