Kaiserlautern - proud history and bright future
Already Emperor Friedrich I. Barbarossa was convinced of the advantages of the Kaiserslautern region when he chose to build his imperial palace in this location in the 12th century. Based on those historical roots, the city has developed into a cosmopolitan cluster of science and technology. K-town is considered a prime location by many national and international companies. The list of enterprises operating out of the Kaiserslautern PRE-Park is extensive and encompasses the automobile and technology industries. These companies, including Accenture and John Deere, are located in an area of over 100,000 square metres, offering companies plenty of room to grow and collaborate. As a centre of innovation, the futuristic PRE UNI-Park, a technology site with modern architecture, constitutes the core of the Science Alliance. This consortium of numerous high-profile science institutions such as the German Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence, the Fraunhofer Institute for Experimental Software Engineering, the Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics, and the Max Planck Institute for Software Systems forms a highly specialised multidisciplinary network that provides innovative solutions based on the latest technologies and newest methods to students, scientists, and partners from industry. The topographic convergence of technology and nature makes the city both a vibrant urban centre and a natural oasis. Blessed with favourable surroundings, getting in touch with nature is particularly easy in Kaiserslautern, where Germany's largest interlinked woodlands are right at your doorstep. The forest of Rhineland-Palatinate is criss-crossed by a network of about 7,500 miles of well-marked hiking trails and is known for its mountain bike park. UNESCO has recognised the exceptional value of the nature reserve and in 1992 designated it one of the 15 German biosphere reserves.
There is no such thing as being a foreigner here - Kaiserslautern is home to people from over 140 nations who contribute to a diverse and vibrant city life. Most of the 100,000 inhabitants speak English, making it easy to quickly feel at ease. The Kaiserslautern region offers superb public transport. Trains run hourly every day, and fast intercity trains at the ICE train station in Kaiserslautern offer quick and comfortable connections to Europe's big cities, airports, and business centres. Kaiserslautern is centrally located within the European Union, between the River Rhine in the east and France in the west. Only two hours by train from both Frankfurt and Stuttgart, Kaiserslautern offers excellent travel connections. The people of Kaiserslautern have a zest for life; they are urban, friendly, and open-minded, and they also appreciate the importance of their regional roots. In the old part of the city, with its variety of restaurants, cafés, and original pubs, you will meet the dyed-in-the-wool "Pfälzer" (natives of Rhineland-Palatinate) who are cosmopolitan while at the same time still proud of their regional specialities. Many visitors from all over the world feel welcome and at home here.