City trip to Heidelberg

World-famous and the epitome of German romanticism – Heidelberg Castle. The castle ruins sit majestically enthroned above the rooftops of the old town. The Electors of the Palatinate resided there for five centuries. Today, the mysterious castle casts a spell over the city’s visitors every year. The palace garden with its geometrically structured terraces is famous in its own right. The “Hortus Palatinus”, designed by the famous garden architect Salomon de Caus, was considered the eighth wonder of the world by his contemporaries. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe loved this garden and visited it many times. A bust on the Scheffel Terraces commemorates the great poet and thinker.

It is the heart and historic center of Heidelberg – the Old Town. First mentioned in a document in 1196, it is world-famous for its unique triad of city, mountains and river. The medieval city layout with narrow alleyways and old baroque buildings, the upper-class hillside buildings on the Königstuhl and the castle towering over the Old Town, as well as the monuments and sights attract around three million visitors every year.

It is a natural balcony: when strolling along the Philosophenweg, every spectator has a front row seat and can take in nature and the view of the picturesque city at the same time. The path is one of the warmest places in Germany and is home to exotic plants such as Japanese loquat and Portuguese cherry, lemon and pomegranate. Even palm trees, pine trees and bamboo thrive here. Everything blooms weeks earlier than in the valley; the climate and vegetation are reminiscent of Tuscany. The “Heidelberg triad” of old town, river and mountains can be enjoyed wonderfully here.

The Old Bridge is one of the last examples of classical bridge building in stone and was originally built by Elector Karl Theodor in the 18th century. The bridge, made of sandstone from the Neckar valley, connects the old town with the banks of the Neckar at the eastern end of the Neuenheim district. On the city side, the medieval bridge gate, part of the former city wall, has been preserved. The original bridge was blown up by German soldiers in the final days of the Second World War. Just two years after the end of the war, the Old Bridge, which was rebuilt with donations from citizens, was inaugurated.

At 567.80 meters above sea level, the highest mountain in the city, the Königstuhl, is just a stone’s throw away from the old town. From its peak, hikers have a wonderful view of the valley and Heidelberg. Walkers can reach the summit directly from the castle via the staircase known as the “ladder to heaven” and those who prefer a more comfortable option can take the mountain railroad. In addition to the spectacular view, the Königstuhl has another attraction in store: a falconry that offers public flight demonstrations and the state observatory.

The fountain with the figure of Hercules standing on a column, built between 1703 and 1706, forms the centerpiece of the historic market square in Heidelberg. The hero of Greek mythology, known for his strength, is a symbol of the enormous effort that was required of the people of Heidelberg during the reconstruction of the destroyed city in the years after 1700. Today’s Hercules is a copy; the original is in the Kurpfälzisches Museum. The weekly market takes place here twice a week, while on other days – during the warmer months of the year – the square offers space for street cafés.

The Studentenkarzer is located in Augustinerstraße, at the back of the Old University. Between 1778 and 1914, students were punished there for heavy punishments and disturbances of the peace at night. The detention could last up to four weeks, during which the students were allowed to attend their lectures. Afterwards, they went back to the dungeon, where they “decorated” the walls with slogans and portraits. These works can still be seen today.

Big cats and meerkats, giant tortoises and chimpanzees: Heidelberg Zoo is known for its biodiversity. In addition to the African steppe with zebras, kudus, blesboks and pelicans and the elephant enclosure with the elephant house, which is famous throughout Europe, the maned seals are one of the zoo’s main attractions. Heidelberg Zoo is also home to one of the most beautiful playgrounds in the region, with landscape-like installations and the Steppe and Jungle theme worlds.