- Tourist Information
- Map
- Top tourist attractions in Heidelberg
- Central Square, the place where the witches were burned
- Hercules Fountain
- Heiliggeistkirche (Church of the Holy Spirit)
- Old Bridge (Karl Theodor Bridge)
- Haus zum ritter (Hotel Zum Ritter St. Georg)
- Schloss Heidelberg (Heidelberg Castle)
- The Philosophers’ Way
- What secrets are hidden within the city of Heidelberg?
- Heidelberg University
- Academic tone
- Heidelberg Castle and its Ghost
- The legend of the Bridge of Love (Old Bridge)
- The monkey sculpture at the south end of the Bridge
- Literary fame
- Jardins du Palais
- The city cannon
- The seed market
- A 600,000-year-old fossil
- Hidden amphitheater from Heidelberg
Tourist Information
| Founding century | 14th Century |
| Type | City |
| Getting there |
|
| Location | Heidelberg, Germany, Europe |
Map
Heidelberg is a university town in the German state of Baden-Württemberg, situated on the river Neckar in southwest Germany. Heidelberg University, which is the first in Germany, was created in the year 1386.
The oldest written mention of Heidelberg originates from the year 1196.
Top tourist attractions in Heidelberg
Central Square, the place where the witches were burned
This is the main and one of the oldest city squares and represents the heart of the Old Town Heidelberg.
Since the Middle Ages, this square has been used for public proceedings. But these were not just limited to markets. Witches and heretics were burned at the stake here, and citizens charged with petty crimes served their time hanging in a cage, for all to see and torment.
Hercules Fountain
A fountain with a statue of Hercules on a column, built between 1703 and 1706, forms the centerpiece of the Market Square. This hero of Greek myths, known for his strength, symbolizes the heroic efforts that Heidelberg’s residents made to rebuild their devastated city in the years after 1700.
The Hercules statue in the fountain today is a replica. The original is displayed in the Kurpfälzisches Museum.
Heiliggeistkirche (Church of the Holy Spirit)
The Church of the Holy Spirit is the most famous in Heidelberg, Germany. It stands in the middle of the marketplace in the old center of Heidelberg.
Old Bridge (Karl Theodor Bridge)
Spanning the Neckar and joining the two sides of historic Heidelberg, the famous bridge with its lovely sculptures is named after the man responsible for designing and building its nine red sandstone arches in 1788.
Haus zum ritter (Hotel Zum Ritter St. Georg)
One of the more interesting and historic hotel buildings in Heidelberg Old Town is the Hotel Zum Ritter St Georg at Hauptstrasse 178.
Hotel Zum Ritter St Georg is near the Heiliggistkirche (Church of the Holy Spirit Church) on Marktplatz.
On top of the pointy gable of the building is a knightly bust of St George, after whom the building was named.
One of the famous guests of Hotel Zum Ritter St Georg was Victor Hugo who described the hotel as a gorgeous building.
Schloss Heidelberg (Heidelberg Castle)
Originally a fort, it was transformed into a castle in 1544.
Strikes of lightning, fires, wars – not only ravages of time left their traces on Heidelberg Castle.
Heidelberg Castle can be reached by the Bergbahn, a funicular railway running from the Kornmarkt, or via a 15-minute walk from the Old Town.
Official site: www.schloss-heidelberg.de/en/home/
The Philosophers’ Way
One of the most delightful things to do while visiting Heidelberg is to stroll along the Philosophenweg, also known as the Philosophers’ Way. This scenic trail, located on the north bank of the Neckar River, winds along the majestic Heiligenberg, or Mountain of Saints. Historically, this trail has served as a favorite route for university philosophers to engage in intellectual discourse while gazing at the stunning scenery around them.
What secrets are hidden within the city of Heidelberg?
Heidelberg University
The University of Heidelberg, founded in 1386, is one of the oldest universities in Germany and even in Europe. It is known for having outstanding students and teachers throughout history, including famous scientists, writers, and philosophers.
Academic tone
On the night when students finish their exams, an event called the “Academic Tone” (Heidelberger Faß) takes place in the cellars of Heidelberg Castle. Here, one of the large wine barrels is opened and students drink wine in honor of graduation. This has become a symbolic tradition of the university.
Heidelberg Castle and its Ghost
Heidelberg Castle is the most important attraction in the city. It is said that the castle is haunted by a ghost called “White Lady” (Weiße Frau). According to legend, she is the spirit of a princess who was trapped in a tower by her father for betraying his love. It is said that her appearance would predict a catastrophe in the city.
The legend of the Bridge of Love (Old Bridge)
Heidelberg’s Old Bridge is a popular and delightful attraction, but few know that in the past it was covered with a wooden house with windows and doors, called the “House Bridge” (Hausbrücke). It was used as a dwelling and toll from passers-by but was destroyed in a heavy flood in 1768.
The monkey sculpture at the south end of the Bridge
The bronze sculpture of a monkey guards the southern end of the Old Bridge. Stroking the mirror is said to bring prosperity while touching the pointed fingers of the right hand means you’ll come back to Heidelberg one day and touching the mice next to the monkey means you’ll have a lot of kids.
Literary fame
Heidelberg has been a source of inspiration for many famous writers, including Mark Twain, who wrote about the city in his book “Tales of the Uncommon”. Other important writers who visited or wrote about Heidelberg include Goethe and Victor Hugo.
Jardins du Palais
Before the construction of Heidelberg Castle, there was a royal palace called “Jardins du Palais”. Now the area is known as the “Schlossgarten” (Castle Gardens) and is a popular relaxation spot for locals and tourists.
The city cannon
In the south-eastern part of the square, there is a large bronze cannon, known as the “City Cannon” (Stadtkanon). It dates back to the 17th century and was originally used to mark the beginning and end of the working day but also to warn of enemy attacks. Now, the cannon is still operational and is fired every Sunday at noon.
The seed market
In the past, the Central Market was home to a special market called the “Seed Market” (Marktplatz der Saat). At this fair, local peasant women sold flowers and seeds, including rare flowers and exotic plants. Although this fair no longer takes place today, its tradition has left an imprint on the market’s culture and history.
A 600,000-year-old fossil
In 1907 a jaw-bone was discovered in a gravel pit in Heidelberg. Recent tests have confirmed that the fossil is more than 600,000 years old. The jawbone discovery provided significant insights into the evolutionary history of early humans in Europe.
Hidden amphitheater from Heidelberg
Hidden away from the city, atop the wooded hills surrounding the city, the “Thingstätte” was built in 1935 by the Nazis. It was used by the Nazi party for various rituals. It is now preserved as a monument but is still used for many festivals and cultural events throughout the year.
