This latest update invites Microsoft Flight Simulator aviators to experience the excitement of the cities in the southwestern German state of Baden-Württemberg.
Southwest Germany is the latest exciting expansion Microsoft Flight Simulator’s A comprehensive global experience with City Update 06. This update focuses on the southwest German state of Baden-Württemberg, the third largest state in the country in terms of population and area. The Microsoft Flight Simulator team and its partners have selected seven cities that best represent this diverse and vibrant region of Europe: Mannheim, Heidelberg, Karlsruhe, Stuttgart, Esslingen and Kehl in Germany, as well as the French city of Strasbourg, just over the border from throat. The update also includes Friedrichshafen Airport, the third largest airport in Baden-Württemberg.
Baden-Württemberg is one of the most geographically diverse regions in Europe. The state includes the famous Black Forest, rivers such as the Rhine, the Danube (including its source) and the Neckar, several lakes including Lake Constance, and fertile farmland and vineyards. The cities are among the wealthiest and most vibrant in all of Europe, offering a mix of modern architectural wonders and centuries-old historical monuments.
City Update 06’s carefully selected cities have been recreated using the latest high-resolution aerial imagery and feature high-resolution Triangulated Irregular Network (TIN) surface modeling.
In detail, from north to south:
Mannheim
Mannheim is located at the confluence of the Rhine and Neckar at the extreme northern end of the state. The second largest city in Baden-Württemberg is an important cultural, educational and economic center and has 23 universities and 30 research institutions. The Mannheim region is the birthplace of some of the most important inventions in the modern world. These include the bicycle, the modern series automobile (Benz Patent-Motorwagen) and the first rocket-powered aircraft (Opel RAK.1).
There are numerous sights from the air over Mannheim, including the Mannheim Water Tower, the Mannheim Baroque Palace and the Mannheim Telecommunications Tower.
Heidelberg
Heidelberg is located eleven miles southeast of Mannheim on the banks of the Neckar. It lies on the southwestern edge of the Odenwald on the eastern edge of the Upper Rhine Plain. The city is internationally recognized as an educational center and is home to the University of Heidelberg, Germany’s oldest university, founded in 1386, and one of the most famous universities in the world. The city is also home to several research institutions, including four Max Planck Institutes. Heidelberg is also known for its art, especially its literature.
Heidelberg has several breathtaking architectural masterpieces such as Heidelberg Castle, the Holy Spirit Church and the Old Heidelberg Bridge.
Karlsruhe
Karlsruhe is located on the Rhine on the northern edge of the Black Forest near the French border. It is the seat of the Federal Constitutional Court and the Federal Court of Justice. The city, the third largest city in Baden-Württemberg, has a unique layout with 32 streets radiating from a central castle tower that looks like a fan from above.
Amid the breathtaking surroundings of the Black Forest and the Rhine, Karlsruhe is also home to some unforgettable architectural creations. These include Karlsruhe Castle, the Karlsruhe Botanical Garden and the Baden State Museum.
Stuttgart
Stuttgart, the capital of Baden-Württemberg and most populous city, lies in the middle of Baden-Württemberg on the Neckar, surrounded by wide plains, low hills and forest areas. The city is a renowned center of the automotive industry and is home to the headquarters of Porsche, Mercedes-Benz and several other industry giants. The city is also a global center of science and academic research and has eleven universities.
Stuttgart offers incredible views from the air such as the New Palace, the MHPArena and the Stuttgart TV Tower.
Esslingen
Esslingen is located seven miles south of Stuttgart on the Neckar. The historic city dates back at least to the time of the Roman Empire. Esslingen experienced a period of prosperity and strong expansion in the early Middle Ages.
Surrounded by forested hills and vineyards, Esslingen is one of Germany’s most picturesque cities. It is home to hundreds of historic buildings, including Esslingen Castle, the Inner Bridge and the Frauenkirche.
Kehl and Strasbourg, France
Kehl, the small town in western Baden-Württemberg on the Rhine, lies on the German-French border and borders the larger French city of Strasbourg. With the Black Forest to the east and a patchwork of agricultural fields to the north and south, there is a wealth of sights to see above Kehl. Strasbourg and Kehl have a strong historical connection. Strasbourg incorporated Kehl in 1678 and converted it into a fortress. The bonds endured over the following centuries and the two remain closely linked.
Strasbourg is a major international city and home to several important European institutions, including the European Parliament, the European Ombudsman of the European Union and Eurocorps. Incredible sights throughout Strasbourg, including Strasbourg Cathedral, Place Kléber and the Strasbourg Opera House.
Friedrichshafen Airport (EDNY)
Friedrichshafen Airport (EDNY), also called Bodensee Airport Friedrichshafen, is an international facility on the northeastern edge of the German city of Friedrichshafen, less than three kilometers inland from the northern shore of Lake Constance, one of the largest lakes in Europe.
Friedrichshafen is considered one of the most important cities in aviation history worldwide. The German airship pioneer Ferdinand von Zeppelin LZ 1, the world’s first successful rigid airship, took to the skies in July 1900 from a floating hangar on nearby Lake Constance. In 1908, von Zeppelin founded Luftschiffbau Zeppelin in Friedrichshafen. The company manufactured a long line of well-known Zeppelin airships, including LZ 127 Graf Zeppelin. In addition, several other companies with roots in aviation were based in Friedrichshafen, including ZF Friedrichshafen, Maybach and Dornier, known for iconic flying boats such as the Dornier Do J Wal and the Dornier Do X. In 1915, an airfield was established in Friedrichshafen as a base for Airships and one of Germany’s first aircraft runways was built in 1918.
Friedrichshafen Airport is adjacent to the venue of the annual AERO Friedrichshafen, one of Europe’s most important general aviation trade fairs. The airport was reproduced by hand Microsoft Flight Simulator from iniBuilds to celebrate the launch of this update.
City Update 06: Southwest Germany is available to everyone for FREE Microsoft Flight Simulator simmers. Make sure your simulator is running version 1.36.2.0 (or newer), download City Update 06 and explore the incredible sights of Baden-Württemberg’s cities!
Microsoft Flight Simulator is available for Xbox Series X|S and PC with Xbox Game Pass, PC Game Pass, Windows and Steam and on Xbox One and supported mobile phones, tablets, and lower-spec devices PCs via Xbox Cloud Gaming. For the latest information about Microsoft Flight Simulator, stay tuned @MSFSOfficial on X (formerly Twitter).
Table of Contents