Mannheim

Mannheim, a town in Baden, is situated on the right bank of the Rhine just south of its junction with the Neckar. In 1606 a castle was built here by the Elector-Palatine, and the town was for many years the capital of the Palatinate. It suffered greatly during the Thirty Years' War, was destroyed by the French in 1689, and bornbarded by the Austrians in 1795. It has now ceased to be a fortress, and has become instead a river port and a manufacturing town. A fine palace was built here by the Elector-Palatine in 1720-29. The Schiller-platz contains a colossal statue of the great poet.