St. Peter's Church (Peterskirche)
The church located opposite of the University Library's entrance is the oldest one preserved in Heidelberg's Old Town. It is assumed that the church was erected during the 12th century. The close relations between the church and the university date back from the 14th century. Marsilius of Inghen, one of the university's founders, was buried on church ground, his tomb, however, is not preserved. The University Chapel, was added during a costly reconstruction of the church at the end of the 15th century. Another point of interest is the oak-tree east of the chancel which was planted in 1883 in memory of Martin Luther's 400th birthday.
Church of the Holy Spirit (Heiliggeistkirche)
A late Roman basilica was first mentioned in 1239. In 1398, it was replaced by a large church building which nave was constructed in the typical style of the late Gothic period. The chancel was completed by 1410, the building of the nave took until 1441. There was also a delay in the construction of the church tower which was started again in 1508. The chancel contained the tombs of the Prince Electors of the Palatinate. Most of the commemorial tablets were destroyed in 1693. Of the originally 54 epitaphs, the only one to remain was the one of Prince Elector Ruprecht II (1352 - 1410).
During the 30 Year´s War, however, the complete collection became the booty of Heidelberg´s conqueror, commander Tilly. Following orders of the Catholic Prince Elector Maximilian of Bavaria, the library was given to the Pope of Rome. Of the collection which once included more than 5000 books and 3524 manuscripts, only 885 manuscripts were returned to Heidelberg in 1816. During the following centuries, the church frequently changed its religious denomination and was used at different times by Catholics as well as Protestants. Even a partition barrier was erected in 1706 because both denominations wanted to hold service here. For 230 years, the barrier stayed in its place until it was removed in 1936. Today, the Church of the Holy Spirit is a Protestant Church.
Adress Marktplatz
Internet http://www.studentenkantorei.de
HeidelbergCard: reduced admission
Heidelberg Castle
It was Prince Elector Ruprecht III (1398 - 1410) who had erect the first representative building as a regal residence in the inner courtyard. The exterior of the building, divided into a ground floor made of stone and framework upper levels, seems quite unpretentious today. Another regal building is located opposite to the Ruprecht Building: the Fountain Hall. Prince Elector Philipp (1476 - 1508) is said to have arranged the transfer of the hall´s columns from a decayed palace of Charlemagne to Heidelberg.
The Prince Electors of the 16th and 17th century turned the fortress into a castle and added two representative palace buildings to the complex. The two dominant buildings at the eastern and northern side of the courtyard were erected during the rule of Ottheinrich (1556 - 1559) and Friedrich IV (1583 - 1610). Today, they are considered to be two of the most important buildings in German architectural history. Under Friedrich V (1613 - 1619), the main building of the westside was erected, the so called "English Building".
The Castle and its garden were destroyed, however, during the 30 Years' War. Later, it was rebuilt by Prince Elector Karl Ludwig (1649 - 1680), only to be destroyed once again by French troops. Prince Elector Karl Theodor who resided in Schwetzingen tried to restore the castle to make it inhabitable once again, but in vain: Lightning struck the Castle in 1764. In the centuries that followed, the Castle was misused as a quarry - castle stones helped to build new houses in Heidelberg. This was stopped in 1800 by Count Charles de Graimberg who made any effort he could to preserve the Heidelberg Castle. Inspite of its Gothic interior, it was not before 1934, that the King's Hall was added.
Today, the hall is used for festivities, e.g. dinner banquets, balls and theatre performances. During the Heidelberg Castle Festival in the summer, the courtyard is the site of open air musicals, operas and theatre performances and classical concerts such as the famous "Castle Serenades" performed by the Heidelberg City Orchestra.
Heidelberg is a charming city. Steeped in tradition, this town is home to seemingly contrasting worlds. This makes it exciting and keeps it young at heart. Take some time to get to know the city and discover its many facets. You‘ll be inspired.
Map & Transport
Heidelberg is centrally located in German and Europe and easy to reach by train, car bus or plane.
Via Car
Highway A5/A656 (Darmstadt-Karlsruhe/Basel), exit at intersection (Autobahnkreuz) Heidelberg oder HD-Schwetzingen.
Town Hall (Rathaus)
The predecessor of the present day town hall was destroyed by French troups in 1689. The foundation-stone for Heidelberg's new town hall was laid in 1701. Chief Engineer Flemal was responsible for sketching out the plan for the building located in the middle of the complex. The sculpture showing masks and the Prince Elector's coat of arms was created by the Hungarian sculpturist Heinrich Charrasky who lived and worked in Heidelberg from 1710 to 1720.
The Rokoko gratings of the balcony carrying the initials of Prince Elector Karl Theodor were added in 1751. From 1703 till 1914, the assembly hall was located behind the balcony, i.e. in the adjacent northern rooms. Due to a fire, the town hall had to be reconstructed in 1908. Several houses located south of the building along the "Hauptstrasse" were pulled down and replaced by the new building which was to become part of the town hall. The east building of the town hall had been built before, in 1886. Another building including a small bell tower was added here in 1961. It replaced the "Gasthaus zum Großen Faß" which had been located here from 1720 to 1956, a historic restaurant with the shape of the Castle's "Big Barrel".
Adress market place (Marktplatz)
Knight St. George (Der Ritter)
Only very few houses of Heidelberg were to survive the demolitions during the Wars of Succession. The most magnificent and beautiful of all is the building opposite of the Church of the Holy Spirit. In the history of German architecture, it is considered to be one of the most impressive monuments of the late Renaissance period. The house, named after the sculpture at the top, is called "Zum Ritter Sankt Georg" (Knight St. George). It was erected in 1592 by Charles Belier, a huguenot who had emigrated from France to Heidelberg. The Renaissance structure of the building's facade is a special point of interest. The facade's surface is abundantly decorated by ornaments.
Adress Hauptstraße 178
Marstall
Originally, the "Marstall" was an arsenal of the Heidelberg Castle in which several different goods were stored. It was built during the first half of the 16th century on the banks of the Neckar river so that the trading vessels could anchor right in front of it. The gate of the western inner courtyard is preserved. Four defence towers were located at the building's corners. The German name "Marstall" (stable) refers to the (not preserved) southern wing of the complex. Its ground floor was used for stables, the upper floor for dwelling-rooms. The "Marstall" was destroyed in the second half of the 17th century. The 19th century building we see today was created by Friedrich Weinbrenner in a neo-classical style. It was first used by the military, and later as a hospital. Since 1971, the "Marstall" houses lecture halls of the Heidelberg University.
Adress Marstallstraße
|
Old Bridge (Alte Brücke)
The four preceeding bridges were wooden constructions. Again and again they were destroyed by floods, fire and ice. Prince Elector Karl Theodor was the first ruler to have construct a stone bridge which was erected here from 1786 to 1788. Well preserved is the medieval bridge gate on the town side, originally part of the town wall. Baroque tower helmets were added during the erection of the stone bridge in 1788. Also located here is a plaque referring to the defence of Heidelberg against French troops.
On October 16, 1798, a brave Austrian regiment commanded by Prince Schwarzenberg succeeded in repulsing the advancing French Army. The West Tower contains dungeons, whereas the East Tower holds a spiral staircase. A few steps east of it visitors will find the "Tränktor" (Drinking Gate). During the Middle Ages, cattle were driven through this gate to their drinking places. The two bays of the bridge carry monuments created by Franz Konrad Linck (1730 - 1793) who, since 1763, was the Prince Elector´s official court sculpturist.
Convention Center Stadthalle Heidelberg
Apart from Heidelberg Castle and Old Bridge, Heidelberg´s City Convention Hall located on the banks of the Neckar river is the most distinctive landmark of the Old Town district. Built in a late historicist style, it is an internationally renowned location for successful congresses and festivals. Since its completion in 1903 the building has shaped the city´s intellectual, scientific, cultural and social life - from Supercomputer Congresses to Corporate General Meetings. Its 100th birthday was officially celebrated in October 2003 with a variety of events. A commemorative volume (€ 10,--) is available at the Tourist Information at Central Station and at the main office of the Heidelberg Convention and Visitors Bureau near Old Bridge.
The building was designed by the Heidelberg architects Jakob Henkenhaf and Friedrich Ebert and was completed in 1903. The architectural style, following the tradition of the "German Renaissance", is also to be found at the Friedrich Building of the Heidelberg Castle. The south facade facing the "Untere Neckarstrasse" depicts portraits of university professors and famous artists, i.e. Karl Adolf von Vangerow, Johannes Caspar Bluntschli, Karl Josef Anton Mittermaier, Adolf Kussmann, Albert Mays, Karl Gottfried Nadler and the composers Richard Wagner, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Johann Sebastian Bach, Franz Liszt and Ludwig van Beethoven. The cultural and academic exchange of knowledge looks back to a long tradition in Heidelberg, a tradition that is continued in the City Convention Center. Versatile in its functions, it is used for seminars, conventions, concerts, gala dinners, balls and other cultural and social events.
Adress Neckarstaden 24
Phone 06221- 14 22 60
Fax 06221- 14 22 66
E-Mail kongresshaus@cvb-heidelberg.de">kongresshaus@cvb-heidelberg.de
Kongresshaus Stadthalle Heidelberg
The Madonna at the Kornmarkt
In 1685, the "Kurpfalz" (Palatinate), to this date a protestant region, was taken over by a Catholic sovereign. He (as well as his successor) wanted his subjects to return to Catholic beliefs and tried to encourage conversion by including more Catholic citizens in town and church administration, giving financial incentives to Catholics and starting a religious propaganda campaign. Jesuits supported this campaign by publishing and spreading pamphlets, organizing pilgrimages and processions and erecting Madonna statues wherever they could - one of which is the "Madonna of the Kornmarkt". The Madonna was erected by a Catholic fraternity. When the sovereign officially declared Mary the patron saint of the Catholic belief in the Kurpfalz, the statue became a focal point of religious worship in Heidelberg. The Madonna of the Kornmarkt demonstrates three typical characteristics of this period: Mary is shown as the Queen of Heaven, as a virgin and as a victor. The Prince Elector, inspite of his intentions to missionize his "heathen" subjects, failed in changing their religious convictions. Many of the Protestants preferred to emigrate from Heidelberg. When, during the first half of the 19th century, citizens rebelled against aristocracy and clergy, the "Madonna of the Kornmarkt" lost much of her religious symbolic significance. At the same time, the statue was discovered and appreciated as real art work. Today, the Madonna is admired as a most beautiful fountain sculpture.
Heuscheuer
The "Heuscheuer", a medieval communal granary, was built in the 18th century from the ruins of a former corner tower of the city wall. In 1963, the building was reconstructed and renovated. Today, the "Heuscheuer" houses modern university lecture halls. During renovation, the staircases leading to former defence towers were rediscovered. One of them is still preserved and open to the public. Furthermore, visitors should not miss a visit to the halls inside: One of the attractions is a copy of a Roman tomb found in Adamklissi (Rumania) dating back to the 3rd century.
Adress Marstallstraße
University Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden of the University of Heidelberg, one of the oldest in Germany, was originally established in 1593 as a "hortus medicus" for the cultivation of medical herbs. Nowadays this institution is important for the plant biology and its main function are scientific (conservation of plant diversity) and educational (students and public). The greenhouses contain unique plant collections (e.g. Old an New World succulents, bromeliads and orchids). Walking along the outdoor sections visitors may enjoy interesting plants of differnt vegetations like raised bog, heath bog, alpine garden, fern ravine, inland dune, weedy vineyard as well as of the "systematic section".
Address Im Neuenheimer Feld 340
Phone 06221 / 54 57 83
Fax 06221 / 54 61 78
University Botanical Garden
Surrunding grounds can be visited every day until dusk
Conservatories Mondays to Thursdays 9 am - 4 pm, Friday 9 am - 2.30 pm, Sundays and public holidays 9 am to 12 am and 1 pm to 4 am. Closed on Saturdays.
Admission Fee Entrance free
Tiefburg
The "Tiefburg's" date of origin as well as its erectors are not known to us. It is assumed that the castle was built during the early Middle Ages and used as a fortification. Traditions of the 13th and 14th century confirm that the castle was originally surrounded by a ditch. The only remains of the inner castle are the foundation walls, the vaults of the dwelling-tower and the defence walls. The "Tiefburg" was gravely damaged during the 30 Years' War. The Archives of the Helmstatt Family say that in 1642 several fires were laid by arsonists. The castle was overrun and sacked by troups of Turennes in 1674 and finally destroyed in 1689 during the Wars of Succession. As there was no money to restore the castle, the ruins were left where they were. A new mansion with barns and sheds was erected east of the ruins around 1700. Joseph Freeherr von Helmstatt (1727 - 1803) ordered to pull down several of the ancient remains because they were about to collapse and dangerous for people passing by. Count Raban of Helmstatt (1833 - 1932), an eager builder, restored most parts of the castle as they exist until today. The castle's grounds, including stables, barns and dwelling-houses, used to be much larger than they are today. The outer circle stretched as far as the "Dossenheimer Landstrasse" in the south, most of it was destroyed, however, in 1830 and 1844. The bridge at the southern wall of the ditch is flanked by two arch gates. Orginally, these gates had been located at the outer courtyard. They were reerected at this spot in 1912. The four outer walls of the fortification, stretching over a length of approximately 30 meters each, date back to the 13th and 14th century. In former times, the entrance to the castle was marked by a draw-bridge. The round-arched gate is supposed to have once led to a gate-tower. Still visible are facilities for a falling fence installed in front of the gate. The dwelling-house in the inner courtyard, most likely the oldest building of the complex, used to be the castle's center. The mansion, also located in the courtyard, shows characteristics typical of the Gothic period. Originally built in the early 14th century, it was destroyed in 1689 and restored in 1913 by Count Raban of Helmstatt. Its original architecture is unknown. Today, the Knights' Hall is used for festivals and celebrations.
Stift Neuburg
|
A pretty convent in a wonderful landscape - walking distance 10 km from Heidelberg, along the river (direction Ziegelhausen)
http://www.abtei-neuburg.de/
A brief history of Heidelberg
approx. 600,000 years - that is the estimated age of the "Heidelberg Man" whose jaw-bone was discovered in 1907 at nearby Mauer, the earliest evidence of human life in Europe. Since 40 AD. there had been in what is now the municipal district of Neuenheim a fort occupied by the 24th Roman cohort and the 2nd Cyrenaican cohort (CCG XXIIII and CCH II CYR). The camp was overrun by the Alemans in the year 260.
5th cent. BC, Celts build a fortress of refuge and place of worship on the Heiligenberg.
circa 80 AD, the Romans maintain a caster (permanent camp) and a signalling tower on the bank of the Neckar, and build a wooden bridge across the Neckar. The first civilian settlement develop under the protection of the camp. The Romans remain until 260 AD.
5th cent. AD, the beginnings of a permanent settlement.
769, the village of "Bergheim" is mentioned in documents for the first time.
In the year 764, Lorsch Monastery was erected. In 863 the monastery of St. Michael was founded on the Heiligenberg ("Holy Mount") inside a double Keltic rampart (dating vom 5 BC.), and around 1130, Neuberg Monastery was built in the Neckar valley. At the same time the bishopric of Worms extended its influence into the valley, founding Schoenau Monastery in 1142. It was from a tiny hamlet at the foot of a Worms castle that Heidelberg eventually developed.
In 1155, the oldest castle and settlement leave the possesion of the Bishop of Worms and are taken over by the house of Hohenstaufen, Konrad, of this dynasty, becomes "Pfalzgraf (Count Palatinate) of the Rhine".
In 1195, The Palatinate joins the house of Welfen through marriage.
In 1196, Heidelberg was mentioned for the first time in a document in Schoenau Monastery.
In 1386, the Count Palatine, Ruprecht I, one of the seven imperial Prince Electors, founded Heidelberg University, which played a leading part in the era of humanism and reformation and the conflict between Lutheranism and Calvinism in the 15th and 16th centuries. A few months after the proclamation of the 95 theses, in April 1518, Martin Luther was received in Heidelberg, with high honours where he defended the theses.
In 1620, the Protestant Elector, Friedrich V, who was married to Elizabeth, eldest daughter of James VI of Scotland, accepted the Bohemian crown; he is known as the "winter king", as he only reigned for one winter. He lost the battle of the White Hill near Prague, and with it the electorship, which passed to the Catholic Maximilian of Bavaria. This marked the beginning of the Thirty Years' War.
In 1622, after a siege lasting two months, Tilly captured Heidelberg. He gave the famous Bibliotheca Palatina from the Church of the Holy Ghost to the pope as a present.
In 1649, Friedrich's son, Karl Ludwig, was able to return to the royal residence. In 1671, in order to strengthen his dynastic power, he married his daugther Liselotte ("Liselotte of the Palatinate") to the Duke of Orleans.
In 1685, after the death of Liselotte's brother, Louis XIV laid claim to her inheritance. The claim was rejected, and war ensued. In 1689 the castle and the city were captured by French troops and, in 1693, almost totally destroyed. In 1720, religious conflicts with the citizens of Heidelberg caused the Prince Elector Carl Philipp to transfer his residence to Mannheim, where it remained until the Elector Karl Theodor became Elector of Bavaria in 1777 and established his court in Munich.
In the 18th century, the city was rebuilt on the old Gothic layout, but in Baroque style.
In 1803, the Grand Duke Karl Friedrich of Baden re-founded the University, named "Ruperto-Carola" after its two founders. Notable scholars soon earned it a reputation as a "royal residence of the intellect".
In 1815, the Emperor of Austria, the Tsar of Russia and the King of Prussia formed the "Holy Alliance" in Heidelberg.
In 1848, it was decided here to constitute a German National Assembly. In 1849, during the Palatinate-Baden rebellion, Heidelberg was the headquarters of a revolutionary army which was defeated by the Prussian army near Waghaeusel. The city was occupied by Prussian troops until 1850.
Between 1920 and 1933, Heidelberg University's reputation was enhanced by a number of notable physicians (Czerny, Erb, Krehl) and humanists (Rohde, Weber, Gundolf).
In the Second World War, Heidelberg escaped bombing. In 1945, thanks to the surgeon Karl Heinrich Bauer and the philosopher Karl Jaspers, the University re-opened.
Today, Heidelberg has a population of 135,000 and more than 28,000 students.
|
University Library
The large building complex of the University Library was erected from 1901 to 1905. Previously, a monastery had been located here. Joseph Durm of Karlsruhe designed the construction plans using motifs of the so called "Deutschmanierismus" ( an ornamental style of German architecture dating back to the late 16th century) and combining them with elements of the "Jugendstil" ("L'art nouveau style"). The main sights, the facades pointing to the east and to the south, are abundantly decorated by sculptures, structuring architectural details and plant ornaments extending all the way up to the roof. The two sculptures flanking the main entrance at the "Plöck" were created by Prof. Hermann Volz (Art Academy of Karlsruhe). They both symbolize the intentions of the University Library: Prometheus (left) gave mankind fire and knowledge. The woman and the child (right) stand for the passing on of wisdom from one generation to the next. The two masks, one laughing and one crying, symbolize comedy and tragedy. An inscription refers to Grand Duke Friedrich of Baden who, being sovereign, also was the university's chancellor and thus sponsor and promoter of the new building. Baden's coat of arms therefore had to be included in the building's architecture. Portraits of the Prince Electors are to be found above the windows. Don't miss a visit to the halls inside: Busts of famous scientists line the staircase landings. The University Library also offers interesting exhibitions.
Adress Plöck 107-109
Phone 06221 / 54 23 80
Fax 06221 / 54 26 23
University Heidelberg
Opening Hours Mondays - Saturdays 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.
The Student's Prison
The Students' Prison is located at the back of the Old University in the "Augustinergasse". From 1778 until 1914, students were imprisoned here for so called "Kavaliersdelikte" (meaning minor transgressions which were kind of fashionable among otherwise honorable gentlemen inscribed at the Heidelberg University, most of them being members of student fraternities).
Common offenses were disturbance of peace, especially after excessive drinking at night, insulting official authorities or playing jokes at them as well as participating in duelling. During these years, the University administration was embodied with an autonomous jurisdiction and had the legal right to detain students. Depending on the seriousness of the offense, imprisonment would last from three days to four weeks. One was allowed, however, to attend lectures. After classes, the juvenile delinquents had to return to jail. Biding their time, many of the young prisoners "decorated" the walls with graffitis and paintings. Their "artwork" is still preserved and to be seen at the Students' Prison.
Adress Augustinergasse 2, Alte Universität
Phone 06221 / 54 35 54
Fax 06221 / 54 36 66
Student's Prison
Opening Hours
1st April – 30st September: Tuesday – Sunday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
1st - 30st Oktober: Tuesday – Sunday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
1st November – 31st March: Tuesday – Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Admission Fee Adults: € 2,50, Groups of 20 or more persons, school children, students, and children up to 14 yrs. € 2,00 per head
HeidelbergCard: free admission
Public Transportation, Boat Trips
|
Solar Boat
|
Use of buses and trams
(Heidelberg City), tel. 0049 - (0)6221 - 513 2000, free
Funicular Railway
up to the Castle and "Molkenkur" (in renovation until aproximately Eastern 2005 - buses are available at the station "Bergbahn").
Boat trips "Rhein Neckar Schiffahrt"
from Neckar river from Heidelberg to Neckarsteinach and back, pier Kongresshaus Stadthalle Heidelberg, tel. 0049 - (0)6221 - 20181, € 1.50 reduction
Solar Boat
Round trip in Heidelberg with English audio information, pier Old Bridge (1 hour), tel. 0049 - (0)173-9838637, 10% reduction
Airport-Transfer "TLS"
Frankfurt-Heidelberg to your individual hotel. Provided by TLS, tel. 0049 - (0)6221 - 770077, € 2.00 reduction
“Per Bike” bike hire
Bergheimer Str. 144, tel. 0049 - (0)6221 - 161108, 10% reduction
Hertz Car Rental
in the Crowne Plaza hotel, tel. 0049 - (0)6221 - 234 35, 10% reduction
|
Boat trip to Neckarsteinach
|
| |
|
| |
|