Mannheim…

The 2007 FEI European Jumping Championship will take place in the German city of Mannheim, located in South Western Germany. With 307,640 inhabitants, Mannheim is the second largest city in the federal state of Baden-Württemberg after the capital Stuttgart.

Mannheim is situated at the confluence of the rivers Rhine and Neckar and is unique among German cities in that its central area is laid out in a grid pattern (called Quadrate, squares), much like many North American cities. The main route through the squares leads to a majestic 18th century palace. The former seat of the Electors of the Palatinate, the members of the college electing the Holy Roman Emperor, it nowadays houses the University of Mannheim. The city’s symbol is the Wasserturm or Water Tower, located in the city centre.

Mannheim is first listed in a document from 766 as "Mannenheim" (Home of Manno). It remained a village until Frederick IV, Elector Palatine, laid the foundations of the Mannheim citadel, the fortress Friedrichsburg, and the adjacent grid-like city core on 16 March 1606. This year the city celebrates its 400th anniversary with a number of events spread over the entire year.

The city was subsequently destroyed in the Thirty Years War in 1622 and in the Nine Years War for the Palatinate succession in 1689. It was rebuilt between 1720 and 1760. The 18th century Mannheim was home to the famous Mannheim School of Classical Composers, reputed to have one of the best court orchestras in Europe.

During World War II, Mannheim as a key industrial centre was heavily damaged by Allies’ bombings. The city was occupied by the US Army on 29 March 1945. There has been a large American military presence in the area ever since.

The action of the 2007 FEI European Jumping Championship will take place at the MVV riding stadium on the Maimarkt ground, officially inaugurated on 6 May 1985. Various top class Jumping, Driving, Vaulting and Para-Equestrian events have been held there ever since. Among those, the 1997 FEI European Jumping Championship, the 1986, 1987, 1990, 1994 and 2002 German Championships as well as the 1989 and 1993 Federal Championships.