Heidelberg tourist information
The name stands for the world-famous Castle and a picturesque Old Town in breathtakingly beautiful surroundings. It stands both for Germany's oldest university and modern research facilities. For historic streets and a lively university atmosphere. For total relaxation and beautiful walks, plus stimulating international conferences and festivals. It also stands for the longest and one of the most attractive pedestrian zones in Europe.
Since June 21, 2004, there is the new solar ship on the Neckar River which is powered by the energy of the sun. Enjoy the most delightful view of the city while the ship gently and quietly glides by.
Heidelberg is a charming city. Steeped in tradition, this town is home to seemingly contrasting worlds. This makes it exciting and keeps it young at heart. Take some time to get to know the city and discover its many facets. You‘ll be inspired.
It was Prince Elector Ruprecht III (1398 - 1410) who had erect the first representative building as a regal residence in the inner courtyard. The exterior of the building, divided into a ground floor made of stone and framework upper levels, seems quite unpretentious today. Another regal building is located opposite to the Ruprecht Building: the Fountain Hall. Prince Elector Philipp (1476 - 1508) is said to have arranged the transfer of the hall´s columns from a decayed palace of Charlemagne to Heidelberg.
The Prince Electors of the 16th and 17th century turned the fortress into a castle and added two representative palace buildings to the complex. The two dominant buildings at the eastern and northern side of the courtyard were erected during the rule of Ottheinrich (1556 - 1559) and Friedrich IV (1583 - 1610). Today, they are considered to be two of the most important buildings in German architectural history. Under Friedrich V (1613 - 1619), the main building of the westside was erected, the so called "English Building".
The Castle and its garden were destroyed, however, during the 30 Years' War. Later, it was rebuilt by Prince Elector Karl Ludwig (1649 - 1680), only to be destroyed once again by French troops. Prince Elector Karl Theodor who resided in Schwetzingen tried to restore the castle to make it inhabitable once again, but in vain: Lightning struck the Castle in 1764. In the centuries that followed, the Castle was misused as a quarry - castle stones helped to build new houses in Heidelberg. This was stopped in 1800 by Count Charles de Graimberg who made any effort he could to preserve the Heidelberg Castle. Inspite of its Gothic interior, it was not before 1934, that the King's Hall was added.
Today, the hall is used for festivities, e.g. dinner banquets, balls and theatre performances. During the Heidelberg Castle Festival in the summer, the courtyard is the site of open air musicals, operas and theatre performances and classical concerts such as the famous "Castle Serenades" performed by the Heidelberg City Orchestra.
In former times, the geometrically designed terraces of a Renaissance garden stood out against the wooded background of the Heidelberg Castle. Before the 30 Years' War, contemporaries even considered the "Hortus Palatinus" as being the "Eighth Wonder of the World". In the south-east corner of the garden, visitors will find the remains of the "Great Grotto". Rocks were blown up to create this romantic grotto displaying musical water arts. The walls were abundantly decorated with rare polished stones, shells and corals.
Left of the grotto, a pond contains the enormous sandstone sculpture of a resting "Father Rhine". A monumental dimension is added to the Castle Gardens while strolling on the "Great Terrace" and enjoying the wonderful view of the Castle's east front rising dark into the sky as well as a view of the Rhine Valley. It was the famous garden architect Salomon de Caus, who discovered this unique spot and view. He created the Castle Gardens as a homage to Heidelberg's surroundings.
On June 24, 1712, the university's chancellor Prof. Dr. Melchior Kirchner laid the foundation-stone for the "Old University", as the building is called today. The architect was Johann Adam Breunig of Mainz. The "Alte Aula" (Old Assembly Hall) built by the architect Josef Durm was added in 1885 shortly before the university's 500th anniversary. The artist Ferdinand Keller created the painting of the front wall, depicting the arrival of the Greek goddess of wisdom, Pallas Athene, in Heidelberg. Bronze figures on the right and left symbolize the call and genius of science. The ceiling holds paintings depicting the four university faculties, i.e. philosophy, medicine, law and theology. Another object of interest is to be found at the University Square in front of the building: The "Löwenbrunnen", as this fountain is called, is crowned by a lion symbolizing the power of the Palatinate.
The "Philosophenweg" at the Heiligenberg derives its name from the fact that Heidelberg's philosophers and university teachers are said to have once walked and talked here. Even today, this world-famous path offers new sights and insights. Enjoy a beautiful view of Heidelberg and a climate that reminds you of the Italian Toscana. Many sub-tropical plants flourish in the "Philosophengärtchen". The temperate climate is perfect for Japanese cherries, cypresses, lemons, bamboos, rhododendrons, gingko and yucca trees, and several other plants from the mediterranean, North Africa and Asia. Joseph Freeherr von Eichendorff (1788-1857) is one of the German poets who fell in love with Heidelberg and dedicated poems to the old town. A commemorative stone refers to the German Romantic who studied here 1807-08.
The predecessor of the present day town hall was destroyed by French troups in 1689. The foundation-stone for Heidelberg's new town hall was laid in 1701. Chief Engineer Flemal was responsible for sketching out the plan for the building located in the middle of the complex. The sculpture showing masks and the Prince Elector's coat of arms was created by the Hungarian sculpturist Heinrich Charrasky who lived and worked in Heidelberg from 1710 to 1720.
The Rokoko gratings of the balcony carrying the initials of Prince Elector Karl Theodor were added in 1751. From 1703 till 1914, the assembly hall was located behind the balcony, i.e. in the adjacent northern rooms. Due to a fire, the town hall had to be reconstructed in 1908. Several houses located south of the building along the "Hauptstrasse" were pulled down and replaced by the new building which was to become part of the town hall. The east building of the town hall had been built before, in 1886. Another building including a small bell tower was added here in 1961. It replaced the "Gasthaus zum Großen Faß" which had been located here from 1720 to 1956, a historic restaurant with the shape of the Castle's "Big Barrel".
The triumphal arch in honor of the Prince Elector Karl Theodor, located at Heidelberg's very east, was erected from 1775 until 1781 and designed by Nicolas de Pigage. When the foundation-stone was laid on October 2, 1775, the Prince Elector personally attended the celebration. He took a personal interest in the construction work and had the architect draw a new plan which finally unified elements of the preceeding three sketches. The final result was a neo-classical building following the tradition of Roman triumphal arches, crowned by four lions, the traditional symbols of the "Kurpfalz". Portraits of the Prince Elector and his wife are located under the princely hat in the center of the top facing the city from the west. The center piece pointing beyond Heidelberg contains a written dedication topped by a weapon trophy with the Kurpfalz Coat of Arms. The sculptures were created by Peter Simon Lamine. The triumph arch was never totally completed.
The "Tiefburg's" date of origin as well as its erectors are not known to us. It is assumed that the castle was built during the early Middle Ages and used as a fortification. Traditions of the 13th and 14th century confirm that the castle was originally surrounded by a ditch. The only remains of the inner castle are the foundation walls, the vaults of the dwelling-tower and the defence walls. The "Tiefburg" was gravely damaged during the 30 Years' War. The Archives of the Helmstatt Family say that in 1642 several fires were laid by arsonists. The castle was overrun and sacked by troups of Turennes in 1674 and finally destroyed in 1689 during the Wars of Succession. As there was no money to restore the castle, the ruins were left where they were. A new mansion with barns and sheds was erected east of the ruins around 1700.
Joseph Freeherr von Helmstatt (1727 - 1803) ordered to pull down several of the ancient remains because they were about to collapse and dangerous for people passing by. Count Raban of Helmstatt (1833 - 1932), an eager builder, restored most parts of the castle as they exist until today. The castle's grounds, including stables, barns and dwelling-houses, used to be much larger than they are today. The outer circle stretched as far as the "Dossenheimer Landstrasse" in the south, most of it was destroyed, however, in 1830 and 1844. The bridge at the southern wall of the ditch is flanked by two arch gates. Orginally, these gates had been located at the outer courtyard. They were reerected at this spot in 1912. The four outer walls of the fortification, stretching over a length of approximately 30 meters each, date back to the 13th and 14th century. In former times, the entrance to the castle was marked by a draw-bridge.
The round-arched gate is supposed to have once led to a gate-tower. Still visible are facilities for a falling fence installed in front of the gate. The dwelling-house in the inner courtyard, most likely the oldest building of the complex, used to be the castle's center. The mansion, also located in the courtyard, shows characteristics typical of the Gothic period. Originally built in the early 14th century, it was destroyed in 1689 and restored in 1913 by Count Raban of Helmstatt. Its original architecture is unknown. Today, the Knights' Hall is used for festivals and celebrations.
Only very few houses of Heidelberg were to survive the demolitions during the Wars of Succession. The most magnificent and beautiful of all is the building opposite of the Church of the Holy Spirit. In the history of German architecture, it is considered to be one of the most impressive monuments of the late Renaissance period. The house, named after the sculpture at the top, is called "Zum Ritter Sankt Georg" (Knight St. George). It was erected in 1592 by Charles Belier, a huguenot who had emigrated from France to Heidelberg. The Renaissance structure of the building's facade is a special point of interest. The facade's surface is abundantly decorated by ornaments.
Originally, the "Marstall" was an arsenal of the Heidelberg Castle in which several different goods were stored. It was built during the first half of the 16th century on the banks of the Neckar river so that the trading vessels could anchor right in front of it. The gate of the western inner courtyard is preserved. Four defence towers were located at the building's corners. The German name "Marstall" (stable) refers to the (not preserved) southern wing of the complex. Its ground floor was used for stables, the upper floor for dwelling-rooms. The "Marstall" was destroyed in the second half of the 17th century. The 19th century building we see today was created by Friedrich Weinbrenner in a neo-classical style. It was first used by the military, and later as a hospital. Since 1971, the "Marstall" houses lecture halls of the Heidelberg University.
The four preceeding bridges were wooden constructions. Again and again they were destroyed by floods, fire and ice. Prince Elector Karl Theodor was the first ruler to have construct a stone bridge which was erected here from 1786 to 1788. Well preserved is the medieval bridge gate on the town side, originally part of the town wall. Baroque tower helmets were added during the erection of the stone bridge in 1788. Also located here is a plaque referring to the defence of Heidelberg against French troops.
On October 16, 1798, a brave Austrian regiment commanded by Prince Schwarzenberg succeeded in repulsing the advancing French Army. The West Tower contains dungeons, whereas the East Tower holds a spiral staircase. A few steps east of it visitors will find the "Tränktor" (Drinking Gate). During the Middle Ages, cattle were driven through this gate to their drinking places. The two bays of the bridge carry monuments created by Franz Konrad Linck (1730 - 1793) who, since 1763, was the Prince Elector´s official court sculpturist.
After strolling around town, take a break in one of the city´s charming coffee houses or enjoy a good meal in a typical German or international restaurant. In the evening, visit one of the many local pubs - or in summer an outdoor beergarden - to put you in the right mood for dancing or listing to live music.
Enjoy Heidelberg´s numerous museums, theatres, jazz and other music clubs; classical concerts and Salsa partys; international festivals such as "Heidelberg Spring" or the world-famous Castle Festival.
Snuggling against Heiligenberg Heidelberg is an ideal starting point to hike. From Tiefburgplatz, one can easily travel by car to the top of the Heiligenberg, where there is a large parking lot. Next to this, one can still make out the foundation walls of the Abbey of St. Stephan with and its little round-ended chapel, which was built in the 11th century by monks from the neighboring Abbey of St. Michael. Im 1885, members of a local conservation association built an observation tower from the remains of the Abbey of St.Stephen. The view from here is quite splendid: from a height of 375 meters above sea-level one can see down into the deep Neckar Valley, the roofs of the Old Town and the ruined castle.
You have to climb another 65 meters to reach the Heiligenberg. The Nazis had a "Germanic Thingstätte" built between two peaks in 1935. This site was conceived as a kind of open-air ceremonial theater.
Heidelberg aerial map
Please click on any icon on the Heidelberg aerial tourist map, to find close by places, offering hotels and tourist information. You can zoom in and zoom out our touristical map as well as switch between satelite and map view of Heidelberg.
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