Karlsruhe lies in the Upper Rhine Plain at the western edge of the Black Forest at an average elevation of 122 meters above sea level. The Rhine flows west of the city at 100–105 m; eastern districts toward the Black Forest rise to 200–300 m. Founded in 1715 as a planned city, all streets radiate from the palace like a fan – earning it the nickname 'Fan City'.
That works out to roughly 400 feet above sea level. The nearby cities compared on this page average 186 m, putting Karlsruhe about 64 m lower.
Quick Facts
| Elevation (above sea level) | 122 m |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 49.0069° N, 8.4037° E |
| Country | Germany |
| Continent | Europe |
Compare elevations – nearby cities
| City | Elevation (m) | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Mannheim | 104 | Germany |
| Heidelberg | 121 | Germany |
| Stuttgart | 246 | Germany |
| Freiburg | 273 | Germany |
Cities with a similar elevation
The following cities sit at an elevation similar to Karlsruhe (122 m above sea level):
| City | Elevation (m) | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Mainz | 122 | Germany |
| Wiesbaden | 122 | Germany |
| Bielefeld | 124 | Germany |
| Leipzig | 113 | Germany |
| Dresden | 113 | Germany |
| Halle | 104 | Germany |
Frequently Asked Questions
How high is Karlsruhe above sea level?
Karlsruhe averages 122 m above sea level. The Rhine to the west flows at 100–105 m; eastern districts toward the Black Forest reach 200–300 m.
Why is Karlsruhe called the 'Fan City'?
Karlsruhe was founded in 1715 as a residence city on a fan plan: all streets radiate from the palace tower in 32 directions – 23 toward the palace garden, 9 into the city.
What is the Constitutional Court in Karlsruhe?
Germany's Federal Constitutional Court, the highest court for constitutional matters, has been based in Karlsruhe since 1951 – a deliberate counterweight to Berlin as the seat of government.