See the Public Library Stuttgart, opened barely 10 years ago and a masterpiece of modern architecture that dominates serene Mailänder Platz. Designed by Korean architect Eun Young Yi, it glows blue at night and is almost iridescently gray by day, drawing visitors and locals to the interior. Envisioned as the cornerstone of a new downtown area in Stuttgart, the library testifies to the enduring importance of the written word and to the city’s commitment to innovation and multiculturalism.
Spot the library from far away, its many floors towering over the surrounding buildings. Read the silver letters along the top, visible from any direction of arrival. They are written in English, German, Korean or Arabic, speaking to the importance of the cosmopolitan character of the new library. During the day, sunlight reflects off the glass blocks of the façade, seeming to almost glow. At night, the building does glow with soft blue light.
Enter the cube-shaped building and pass through the secondary façade, designed to insulate the center of the building from the madness on the streets outside. Keep going into the very center, called the “Heart,” where a skylight serves as the only illumination for a tranquil fountain.
Go up the stairs to the collections, with each having its own theme. Sit in the stacks to flip through books or go all the way to the eighth floor to the charity-run café for coffee and a pastry while reading or just relaxing.
As the planned center of a new district in Stuttgart, the Public Library is accessible from most parts of the city. A subway stop is located across the street. Stuttgart Hauptbahnhof is a 6-minute subway ride or 10-minute walk away. Reach the library from the airport in 40 minutes by public transportation or 30 minutes by car. Parking is available nearby.
The library is open from Monday to Saturday from morning to fairly late at night. Operating hours for the café on the eighth floor vary check online. Enter the library and use materials on-site for free. Pay a fee if you wish to borrow materials.
