Landesmuseum Württemberg (Württemberg State Museum), Stuttgart

The Württemberg State Museum (Landesmuseum Württemberg), located in Stuttgart, is a premier institution for cultural history in the region of Baden-Württemberg. Originating from a 16th-century "Kunstkammer," or Cabinet of Art and Curiosities, established by the dukes and later kings of Württemberg, the museum was formally founded in 1862 by King William I. It is primarily housed in Stuttgart's Old Castle, with additional parts of its collection displayed in the nearby granary, the cellar of the New Castle, and Waldenbuch Castle.

As the largest cultural history museum in Baden-Württemberg, it holds over a million objects that represent a vast temporal arc from prehistory to the modern era. The museum boasts a range of archeological finds and a significant collection of medieval art, which includes two rare Aztec feather shields and the oldest known decorated card game from around 1430. Other notable items include a celestial globe from 1493 by Johannes Stöffler, an 11-digit mechanical calculator by Philipp Matthäus Hahn from 1774, and the symbolic royal Württemberg crown of 1797.

Visitors can explore more than 1,000 artifacts tracing the journey from Ice Age art to the end of the monarchy, through exhibitions like "Antiquity - Celts - Kunstkammer." This exhibition provides a look into the civilizations of the Mediterranean, early Celtic ceremonial tombs, and the ducal Kunstkammer. The museum is not only a treasure trove of historical and cultural artifacts but also hosts critically acclaimed special exhibitions.

Annually, the museum attracts around 300,000 visitors, underscoring its significance and popularity. It is a hub for interdisciplinary research, collaborating with global institutions, and boasts one of the country's largest workshops for the conservation and restoration of cultural artifacts. Through its extensive collections and dynamic exhibitions, the Württemberg State Museum plays a crucial role in preserving and presenting the cultural heritage of the region from its earliest days to the present.