Karlsruhe: Welcome
Twin cities
Borders disappear. Emerging networks create connections between the countries in Europe. City partnerships play an important role in this process. The city of Karlsruhe has five twin cities and also maintains a project partnership with the Croatian port city Rijeka. Many of these have since become traditional. In 2012, Karlsruhe celebrated its 20-year twin city anniversary with Krasnodar and Timioara as well as its 25-year twin city anniversary with Halle.
The connection between Karlsruhe and Nancy has been in place since 1955 and was one of the first partnerships between German and French cities. It is still regarded as a model partnership today both cities have received all possible international twin city awards for it.
Following the positive experiences with the French twin city of Nancy, Karlsruhe decided to add an English twin city of similar structure and size. The city of Nottingham was chosen.
Thanks to the significant support provided by the then premier, Dr. Lothar Späth, Karlsruhe was able to establish contacts with Halle even before German reunification. This bridge built between two German cities has proven to be extremely stable, particularly in difficult situations.
Existing, long-standing and friendly contacts played a decisive role in the decision of Karlsruhe's City Council to establish a city partnership with the Russian twin city of Krasnodar in 1992.
Following the political upheaval in Romania and upon the initiative of then city councillor Günther Rüssel, the establishment of a city friendship with Timioara/Temeschburg was initiated. In 1997, the official establishment of the city partnership was ultimately completed.