Wolfsburg – a city where you can feel good; a city with quality of life. This is a place where one is happy to be. The city's motto – "Delight in discoveries" – perfectly describes the development in Wolfsburg. Founded as the "town of the KdF-car" (the "strength through joy" car – later to become known as the Volkswagen) on a green-field site in 1938, the town on the Mittellandkanal has developed in an orderly way from the worker settlement of those days into a modern city. The 700-year-old castle Wolfsburg, after which, in 1945, the town was eventually named, is historically the focus of the city. But the historically important suburbs of Vorsfelde and Fallersleben also possess features of half-timbering and their own old-town flair.

In complete contrast to these are the modern high-tech buildings, such as the Museum of Modern Arts, opened in 1994, and the Autostadt, perhaps the heart of Wolfsburg. With its pair of glazed towers, the Autostadt may be regarded as the city's new emblem. Here, it is all about people, cars and transport. In the landscape of park and lakes, covering some 62 acres (25 hectares), the visitor undertakes a fascinating voyage of discovery, and the catering establishments also represent an exciting draw in the evenings for the Wolfsburger and the visitor alike.

AUTOSTADT: People, Cars and Mobility

The AUTOSTADT in Wolfsburg is the Volkswagen group's service and communications platform. You can experience the events and attractions based around the theme of mobility that have made the AUTOSTADT into a real tourist attraction in Germany. You won't come across a place like this again in a hurry! Various topics and points of view combine into an exciting day out. You can also have the pleasure of combining the collection of your new car with an entertaining and stress-free journey. You can enjoy a culinary journey in the AUTOSTADT's various restaurants, from snack bars to more elevated fare. And you can relax in the exclusive Ritz-Carlton hotel.

• http://www.autostadt.de/info/cda/main/0,3606,2~1,00.html

phaeno - The experimental landscape

phæno is Germany’s unique experimental landscape for natural science and technology in a spectacular architecture practiced by the London architect Zaha Hadid. The world of scientists meet there with a desire to try something new and with each individual opening up new perspectives. phæno offers the discovery »Kick« - the origin of all research desires and urges and a prerequisite for all innovations. phæno is an experience for all curious people who let themselves in for a quite special type of adventure. The most spectacular phenomena are discovered on more than 7,000 square meters of action area.

In the inside of the futuristic building, visitors go through an open landscape with craters, terraces, plateaus and underground cave-like formations. 250 interactive experimental stations, visitor laboratories, the idea forum and scientists’ theatre invite guests to experience natural science phenomena. Touching and trying things out oneself - this is an aspect which is emphasised by phaeno. In the phaeno, visitors are for example able to touch a tornado, to watch the origin of geysers or try their skills with rodeo riding for example.

• http://www.phaeno.de

Highlights

• Theme park Autostadt
• Adventurous gastronomic delights: Old beer brewery in Fallersleben
• Volkswagen car museum
• Wolfsburg Museum of Art
• BadeLand Wolfsburg
• Planetarium
• Wolfsburg Theatre
• Wolfsburg castle, including town museum, art association and gallery
• Hoffmann-von-Fallersleben Museum
• VfL Wolfsburg First division football
• Guided city tours & cycle tours

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