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The precursor city to Heidelberg, was named Bergheim, but the city we
know as Heidelberg is associated with a religious settlement that was founded
in the 9th century.
In
the late 15th and early 16th centuries the local rulers began a
fortification on the hill above Heidelberg and the protective bastion soon
became an elegant castle-palace.
Unfortunately, Heidelberg’s success was
noticed by many parties and its history was marked by turmoil and
destruction. Indeed, the city and its famous castle were razed by the French
in the War of Palatine Succession (also known as the Nine Years’ War (1688
-1697)) in both 1689 and 1693. The Castle was seriously damaged during the
latter siege.
Although the town was rebuilt in the Baroque style by the middle of the 18th
century, the castle did not fare as well. It was in the process of being
rebuilt when a massive lightning storm and associated fire destroyed many of the palace buildings, after which reconstruction of the
castle was abandoned. Although some say that lightning never strikes twice,
a precursor castle in the same location was seriously damaged by lightning
centuries earlier.
Unlike most well-known cities in Germany, Heidelberg received little damage
in World War II. In fact, the most serious damage, the destruction of
several spans of its famed Alte Brucke (Old Bridge
 ), was a planned defensive
action by the German Army as it prepared to abandon the city to approaching
Allied Forces.
Today, Heidelberg and its Castle are among the top rated tourist attractions
in Germany. The area in Heidelberg of most interest to tourists is a section to the
south of the Neckar River, in which you will find the Old Town and Schloss
Heidelberg. Continue below for a description of the town, but if
you want to focus on the Castle, skip ahead to its
history, descriptions of its
buildings, or information about the
interior rooms of the Castle.
Old Town Attractions
The Old Town,
which starts at the Bismarckplatz (a transportation hub for buses and street
cars
) and proceeds to the east around the Haupstrasse,
is reputed to be the longest shopping
lane in Europe. To explore the castle, you can
take a tram at the Bismarckplatz to a stop near the Kornmarkt. However, we
recommend the walk, as it exposes many interesting buildings of historical
importance, and leads you past great shopping, intermixed with numerous restaurants and cafés.
 While
strolling the Hauptstrasse
, you will pass by a number of interesting stores
and several important buildings. If you are interested in seeing the
historic center of Heidelberg University, follow the Haupstrasse to Heilgasse,
where you will see the splendid Jesuitenkirche peeking at you
from the end of the street. The church has an austere, white interior, a
fantastic sounding new organ, and a stately appearance
.Just around the corner from
the church you will find the Universitäts-platz
and the Old University
Building at the
corner of Grabengasse, as well as the Carolinum (on Schulgasse). The building was originally
named the Seminarium ad Sanctum Carolum Borromeum and was erected by the
Jesuits in the late 18th century. Initially a hospital, the building was
subsequently used as a barracks, and, then, as a residence hall for the
university. At present, the Carolinum, houses the Central Administration of
the University. (The University at Heidelberg facility is located to the
north, across the Neckar river along Berliner Strasse.
)
 As
you proceed down Hauptstrasse towards the Markplatz, you will pass (on the
right) the Hotel Ritter (Ritter Haus), sometimes referred to as the house of
the Knight St. George (whose statue) adorns the top of the building). The Ritter Haus
is one of the few buildings from the 16th century to have survived the War
of the Palatine Succession. Its architecture and gables are said to be
typical of the design of houses of wealthy traders in 16th century
Heidelberg. There are a number of interesting statues adorning its
facade and we recommend taking a close look at this important
building.
 Across
from the Ritter is the oldest church in Heidelberg, the Heiliggeistkirche
(the Holy Ghost Church), which dates from the early 15th century. East of
the church is the Markplatz (Market Square) and its modest, but beloved
Fountain of Neptune, a replica of the original that was constructed in the
early 18th century.
The Rathaus, on the other side of the Marktplatz, was
reconstructed after the end of the War of Palatine Succession, but remodeled
several time since then. The Marktplatz becomes a popular outdoor venue for
drinks and meals in warm weather.
North of the Markplatz at Steingasse and the Neckar River you
will find the twin-towered gateway to the Alte Brucke (Old Bridge - photo at
the top of the page), dating from the 18th century. The Alte Brucke, which
provides scenic panoramas of the town and the Schloss Heidelberg, is one of
the famous sights in Heidelberg. You cannot say you have visited the town
if you have missed the view from the Bridge. If that is not enough of a
reason, there
is a interesting, but recent statue called the Bridge Monkey to the west
side of the gate that is a popular photo shoot (especially if you are in
it)). If you are so inclined, continue across the bridge and head to the Philosophenweg
(Philosopher's Walk), a path offering spectacular views of Schloss Heidelberg and
the town.
To the east of the Marktplatz on Hauptstasse is the Kornmarkt, once the site
of Heidelberg’s official granary.
 The Kornmarkt is the jumping off place for your exploration of the
Schloss Heidelberg. You can walk to the castle from the
Kornmarkt
by trekking up the Burgweg, a narrow lane that ascends the steep cliff face
to the terrace hosting the Schloss Heidelberg. There is an admission
booth, shortly after you enter the Castle near its impressive terrace.
The less scenic way to the Castle is to pay to take the Bergbahn (a
funicular - or inclined railway) up the hill. The entrance to
the Bergbahn is at the
southern end of the Kornmarkt in a modern-appearing building. We recommend taking the
funicular to the castle and walking back to town on the Burgweg, but many
visitors take the funicular both ways. There is
an extension of the Bergbahn that travels further uphill and beyond
the castle that provides spectacular views of the area when the weather is clear.
By the way, the Karlsplatz, site of a Franciscan Monastery until the
early 19th century, is just to the east of the Kornmarkt on
Hauptstrasse and offers
spectacular views of the Castle. It, also, is the largest square in
Heidelberg's Old Town as has some interesting buildings of its own. Of
special note, is an attractive building in the Baroque style (early
17th century) that once served as the Grand Ducal Palace of the Court of
Baden (Heidelberg is located in Baden-Wurttemberg, one of the 16 states of
modern Germany).
Next -
Heidelberg Castle - History
Or -
Schloss Heidelberg's dramatic buildings
Or -
Return to Best Places to Visit in Germany
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or Googling ThereArePlaces.
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