In Ludwigshafen on the Rhine,... - Discussed city tour begins new season.
Under the theme "Even More Concrete," the much-debated city tour "Germany's Ugliest City Tours" in Ludwigshafen kicks off its seventh season on Thursday. Tour organizer Helmut van der Buchholz insists, "Concrete is crucial. It's challenging to envision, say, the entire highway system in the industrial city of Ludwigshafen without the gray substance composed of gravel, cement, and iron."
The two-hour, gratis jaunt promises a stroll along "the perpetually evolving construction site for the South Highway - capturing a glimpse of how the future of this segment could one day appear."
Satire: "Germany's Ugliest City"
The "Germany's Ugliest City Tours" is famous beyond the region - attracting both supporters and detractors. The NDR program "Extra 3" crowned Ludwigshafen as the "ugliest city in Germany" in 2018 - causing the municipality to rejoice, "Hurray, we won! We beat stiff competition." Ever since, van der Buchholz has been conducting tours of "ugly sites" in the city. While critics fear that these excursions may strengthen a negative portrayal of Ludwigshafen, fans view them as a comical reply to the "choice" of a satirical TV show.
This season's edition will receive no financial support from the city. The decision was made after a thorough assessment of different factors, the municipality said. Plans include the tour "The Colossus of Ludwigshafen" about former Chancellor Helmut Kohl (CDU) and a quirky adventure to the neighboring city of Mannheim in Baden-Württemberg, "where it's no better." "Bad taste does not discriminate," van der Buchholz quips.
Read also:
- The city tour in Ludwigshafen on the Rhine is known for its colorful approach to showcasing the industrial city's concrete infrastructure.
- Travelers looking for unique experiences might consider joining the tours during their leisure time in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.
- The material used in constructing the city's infrastructure has been a source of debate for Helmut van der Buchholz, the organizer of the infamous city tours.
- Ludwigshafen's municipalities have had mixed reactions to the city tours, with some viewing them as a comical response to the "Germany's Ugliest City" title and others fearing a negative portrayal.
- Despite its controversial reputation, the "Germany's Ugliest City Tours" have gained notoriety beyond Ludwigshafen and attract visitors from different municipalities in the region.
- Tourists on the "Germany's Ugliest City Tours" can expect a satirical and unconventional exploration of the city's least picturesque sites, such as the perpetually evolving construction site for the South Highway.
- Participants in the "Colossus of Ludwigshafen" tour can learn about former Chancellor Helmut Kohl's significant influence on the city, as well as take a quirky excursion to neighboring Mannheim.
- Despite the municipality's decision not to provide financial support for the city tours, van der Buchholz remains optimistic, emphasizing that "bad taste does not discriminate," and the tours will continue to offer a unique perspective on Ludwigshafen.
- Tough return to normality in snow and ice
- Steinmeier joined a moment of silence - a legal battle over an AfD protest.
- German national soccer team on their way to participate in the European Championship qualifying matches.
- The flooding has lessened, but the aftermath of mud remains.
