The upper, middle, and lower Schlossgarten make up the largest portion of Stuttgart’s ‘Green U.’ These expansive parklands, shaped like a ‘U,’ stretch from Schlossplatz in the city center all the way down to the Neckar River. They offer vast grassy areas, ponds, walking paths, and recreational opportunities. The Green U in Stuttgart is an approximately 8-kilometer-long, continuous belt of parks and green spaces that arcs around the city center.
Although Stuttgart is not directly situated on a major river, it features several man-made lakes and ponds. Hidden within these green spaces are some of Stuttgart’s many urban streams. Historically, Stuttgart had several streams flowing through the city that provided water. Over time, many of these, such as the Nesenbach, were channeled and now flow underground.
Stuttgart is also home to the second-largest mineral water reservoir in Europe, second only to Budapest. In the districts of Bad Cannstatt and Berg, numerous mineral springs emerge. Every day, approximately 44 million liters of mineral water flow from Stuttgart’s springs—equivalent to around 500 liters per second.