Heidelberg: A city from the fairy tales

Heidelberg is considered as one of the most beautiful cities of Germany. That is valid for me as well. As soon as I entered the Old Town, I felt myself in a fairy tale.

The Bridge and the Gate

The Castle

"The Heidelberg Castle" or in German "Heidelberger Schloss" is the symbol of the city and it is world famous. It dates back to 1214. But this magnificent castle has a tragic history. During the centuries it was damaged many times by lightning, wars and fires.

Heidelberger Schloss

Lightning struck the castle

The castle is located on the Königstuhl hillside and to be able to go to the castle you should climb 80 meters up. By foot or by car! There you have a wonderful view of the city.

Heidelberg from the castle

The castle also impressed many poets, writers or artists...

The castle is open daily between 08:00 and 17:00. And the entrance fee is 3 euros. But when you visit the castle you don´t see just the yard. The ticket is valid also for the palaces and the German pharmacy museum.

The yard

The pharmacy museum

Inside the palace, there is some furniture from the old centuries to see.

The castle affects also the couples. So many people who are in love fall in love also with the city and decide to marry in the castle. Each year around 100 couples marry at the castle´s chapel.

It is possible also to organize some other festivities such as dinner or balls. And during the Heidelberg Castle Festival in summer, in the courtyard it is possible to see open air musicals, operas or theatre performances. It is held from 23rd June to 12th August. By the way your ticket for the castle is valid also to see the great vat. It is a huge wine barrel.

Huge wine barrel

Bergbahn

This is the old mountain railway which takes you to the castle. So it is a nice and different alternative to go up. It starts form the Kornmarkt station and goes to the Castle Station. And then it goes on to Molenkur Station. There the upper railway begins and you can reach the highest hills of the Königstuhl. You can take it daily between 09:00 and 20:30.

The oldest university

Heidelberg houses the oldest university of Germany. It was founded in 1386. I would like to be a student in those magnificent lecture rooms.

The students` prison

Maybe because of the old history of Heidelberg´s university, the city houses also one of the most interesting buildings of the Germany: The students´ prison.

In that former students` prison in Jesuit`s Church, the naughty students would spend a few nights prisoned.

It is located on Augustinergasse and open from 10:00 till 18:00. But between October and March it is open just till 16:00.

For those who wonder: This prison was closed in 1914.

Old Town (Altstadt)

If you are hungry or want to make shopping, you can visit the old town. The high number of the cafes and restaurants prove that it is a student city. It starts from the Bismarckplatz and it is a very long street. Don´t forget entering the side streets. There some surprises might be waiting for you as well. And most of the shops are open till 20:00 but not on Sundays.

The Bridge Gate

It is close to the Neckar River and it leads you to the Renaissance style old bridge. And don´t forget to take a photo with the Heidelberg monkey.You see it before you go on the bridge.

You can put your head in to the monkey´s head

The Neckar River

You can make a tour along the river. The boats leave from the Old Town. You can find some information about the boat tours here:

http://www.rnf-schifffahrt.de/

Info

That is the official web page of Heidelberg city. There you can find important information related to transportation or accommodation as well.

http://www.heidelberg.de/servlet/PB/menu/1088101_l2/index1154524808141.html