ulm

Ulm is a city in Germany, part of the Bundesland of Baden-Württemberg (about 100 km south-east of Stuttgart). Its population is slightly above 115,000. Ulm was also the birthplace of one of the 20th century's most famous people - Albert Einstein. Ulm is first mentioned in 854 and was declared a city by Friedrich Barbarossa in 1164. Ulm blossomed during the 1500s and 1600s, mostly due to the export of textiles. These centuries also represented the zenith of art in Ulm, especially for painters and sculptors. In 1803, it ceased to be an "Imperial Free City" and was absorbed into Bavaria. During the campaign of 1805, Napoleon managed to trap the invading Austrian army of General Mack in Ulm and forced it to surrender. In 1810, Ulm was incorporated into the Kingdom of Württemberg. In 1938, it again became a "free city" (which means that it didn't belong to a county). The Ulm Münster is the tallest church world wide. It is an example of Gothic ecclesiastical architecture in Germany – taking first place before Cologne Cathedral and the tallest church in the world. It has dominated the city and the region for hundreds of years and its name is, without doubt, a synonym for the city itself, at home and abroad. It has its spire, above all, to thank for this. With its 161 metres, it is the highest spire in the world. Those who climb its 768 steps of well worn stone are rewarded with a superb panoramic view of Baden-Württemberg's Ulm and Bavaria's Neu-Ulm and, in the right weather conditions, a vista of the Alpine range from Säntis to the Zugspitze.