Grabkapelle Rotenberg

Stuttgart


When King Wilhelm I of Württemberg’s beloved wife Katharina Pavlovna, daughter of a Russian tsar, died at the age of 30 in 1819, the king tore down the family castle and built this burial chapel. The king was also interred in the neoclassical Russian Orthodox chapel decades later. Modelled on the Pantheon, no less, and built from local sandstone, its pure-white interior is striking, with pillars and statues of the four evangelists lifting visitors' gaze to the dome.

Scenically perched on vine-strewn Württemberg hill, the grounds afford long views down to the valley. Grapkapelle Rotenberg is 10km southeast of Stuttgart’s centre. Take bus 61 from Stuttgart-Untertürkheim station, served by the S1.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Stuttgart attractions

1. Mercedes-Benz Museum

1.89 MILES

A futuristic swirl on the cityscape, the Mercedes-Benz Museum takes a chronological spin through the Mercedes empire. Look out for legends such as the…

2. Schweinemuseum

2.25 MILES

Billing itself as the world’s biggest pig museum, the Schweinemuseum is one heck of a pigsty: 50,000 paintings, lucky trinkets, antiques, cartoons, piggy…

3. Wilhelma Zoologisch-Botanischer Garten

3.26 MILES

Wilhelma Zoologisch-Botanischer Garten is a quirky mix of zoo and botanical gardens. Kid magnets include semistriped okapis, elephants, penguins and a…

4. Unterer Schlossgarten

3.58 MILES

The Unterer Schlossgarten is a ribbon of greenery rambling northeast to the Neckar River and the Rosensteinpark, home to the zoo.

5. Staatsgalerie Stuttgart

3.72 MILES

The neoclassical-meets-contemporary Staatsgalerie bears British architect James Stirling’s curvy, colourful imprint. Alongside big-name exhibitions, the…

6. Schlossgarten

3.72 MILES

A terrific park for a wander right in the heart of the city, Stuttgart's sprawling Schlossgarten threads together the Mittlerer Schlossgarten, with its…

7. Mittlerer Schlossgarten

3.74 MILES

The fountain-dotted Mittlerer Schlossgarten draws thirsty crowds to its beer garden in summer.

8. Planetarium Stuttgart

3.74 MILES

This pyramid-shaped planetarium uses up-to-the-minute technology to virtually propel you into outer space, with highly realistic projections of…