Heidelberg - Recommendations

Categories

Situated on the beautiful Neckar River, Heidelberg provides a multitude of joys to experience.  It is a university town and has so much to offer.  Between the old town, the castle, the bridge, and the university there is much to see and do in Heidelberg.

 

Heidelberg Castle

 

First, let's start with the Heidelberg Castle.  Even though the Heidelberg Castle is a ruin it still dominates the landscape and provides beautiful views of the old town below from its perch up the hill.  If you don’t want to or can’t drive up to Heidelberg Castle there is a funicular that can transport you up and down the hill.  Heidelberg Castle is a wonderful example of Renaissance-style and is constructed mostly out of a pink limestone.  The overall effect is a beautiful castle with ornate decorations and partially collapsed towers.  Well worth the visit.

 

Heidelberg Old Town

 

The old town is also quite enjoyable and hosts a university, one of the oldest in Germany.  As usual, there is an old church that dominates the old town.  The fun part about this particular church is it still has merchant booths on the outside of the church much like it would have been originally.  One fun little tidbit, you can still see carvings in the side of the church that helped the citizenry know they were being treated fairly.  For example, there is a carving in the form of a pretzel in the size and shape they should be receiving.  Any doubt, you held it up to the carving and it should match.

 

Stumbling Stones

 

If you get the chance, you should take note of the “stumbling stones” located in front of some of the shops.  These stumbling stones are throughout Germany in the cities and old towns.  They document the people who were taken from their homes and which camps they were sent to and what their ultimate fate was.  It is sobering but a beautiful way to remember what happened. These stumbling stones are bronze plaques embedded in the cobblestones outside the shops where the victims worked and lived.

 

Old Bridge Heidelberg

 

The  Old Bridge that crosses the Neckar River near the old town is a beautiful arched bridge.  It claims to be modeled after the Charles Bridge in Prague.  If you use your imagination, you can see a resemblance, but you have to be generous.  The  Old Bridge is a spectacular place to get full pictures of the ruined castle on the hill.  From the Old Bridge, you can get the entire castle in the picture without other buildings getting in the way.  It also provides some pretty views of Heidelberg and its old town and university.

 

If a trip to Germany is in your future, you should try to include Heidelberg.  It is a fun and pretty old town and one of the few places where you can easily tour a castle.  Be sure to contact us, you Heidelberg experts, to help you plan your next getaway to Germany!