Explorations of a city famous for its romantic castle and gorgeous Old Town.
Heidelberg is located in the Neckar River valley in Southwestern Germany. The narrow valley effected how Heidelberg grew. The Old Town is quite narrow due to the steep hills on both sides of the river. However, those hills are a great place to put a castle.
Heidelberg Castle is the city’s main attraction. Even though it is probably much older, Heidelberg Castle was gradually expanded and repaired (lots of sieges) in the 16th-17th centuries. The rulers of the Palatinate had been using it as the main location for their court. They left the castle sometime in the 1700s and then it caught on fire. It was left in ruins (which became popular during the Romantic period of art) until a restoration in the late 1800s. Only one portion was completely restored. Other parts of the castle were preserved in their ruined state.
Wandering Jana Heidelberg Castle looms over the city.
Wandering Jana A very impressive tower gate.
Wandering Jana The castle’s moat is huge. It fit whole buildings in it. Couldn’t find out what it was though.
Wandering Jana Schlosshof, the castle’s courtyard.
Wandering Jana The restored Friedrichsbau (Friedrich’s Wing). It’s the best preserved section of the castle, so it was fully restored. Built in the early 1600s, it had the chapel on the first floor and the prince’s apartments above it. The ruined building on the left, Ottheinrichsbau (Ottheinrich’s Wing) has only had a couple floors restored.
Wandering Jana The castle is a whole mish-mash of buildings from different eras.
Wandering Jana Ottheinrich’s Wing (15th century) has a really cool facade and a Pharmacy Museum in the basement.
Wandering Jana The museum has pharmacy furnishings from other locations. This one is from Benedictine monastery of Schwarzach/Rheinmünster, around 1730. It was a really good museum.
Wandering Jana The Big Barrel (1751) was the fourth giant barrel in the cellar of the castle. It can hold 219,000 liters. It’s not leak proof so there isn’t any wine in there today. Woman at the bottom of the barrel for size.
Wandering Jana There’s a balcony in the back of the castle with fantastic views of Heidelberg.
I went on the English tour. It takes you to some of the closed off areas of the castle. However, it could have been easily visited without one if that was an option. I felt that it went a bit too fast.
Wandering Jana The ruined English Building, named for whom it was built, Elizabeth Stuart (daughter of James I of England.).
Wandering Jana The reconstructed doors are insane.
Wandering Jana A few rooms have been restored to the Renaissance period. Nothing special.
Wandering Jana The chapel is a bit fancier.
Wandering Jana The Powder Tower, which was blown up by the French in 1693.
Wandering Jana The castle had a terraced formal garden in the 1600s. Great place to get some views of the castle.
Wandering Jana Another angle on that exploded tower.
Wandering Jana Down the hill to see the rest of Heidelberg’s Old Town.
Wandering Jana That’s a bold color scheme.
Wandering Jana The castle ruins from Karlsplatz.
Wandering Jana Heidelberger Marktplatz (Market Square) and Heiliggeistkirche (Church of the Holy Spirit).
Wandering Jana That’s some good Gothic there.
Wandering Jana The church has been renovated multiple times due to fire, water damage, and bombing. Still wonderful.
Wandering Jana Alte Brücke (Old Bridge).
Wandering Jana Which has a giant gate, the Stadttor.
Wandering Jana University of Heidelberg buildings on the right. It’s the oldest university in Germany (founded in 1386).
Wandering Jana The Library (left) and Great Hall, the assembly hall for the university.
Wandering Jana Ending with this gorgeous building.
Heidelberg Castle was really cool. I really enjoyed walking around town as well. There’s also a bunch of museums that I didn’t visit. So there is even more to this great German city, including its outskirts.
Check out my next update where I visit a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Speyer!
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Start at the beginning of this European adventure!
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I’ve been to Heidelberg many times and it’s honestly one of the most beautiful cities in Germany. The view of Heidelberg Castle above the old town is simply magical. The romantic atmosphere there is something special — no wonder it’s often called the “City of Love.”