The Oldest University City - Heidelberg, Germany

The heart of Heidelberg’s Old Town is the Marktplatz, which has many beautiful fountains, grand period homes, cafes and shops. It is the oldest college town and is known for its romantic cityscape surrounded by tree-filled hills. There is the Church of the Holy Spirit, the Karl Theodor Bridge and a castle with a mixture of Gothic and Renaissance architecture. The castle is accessible by funicular or a 20-30 minute hike. Cobblestone streets led me to many photographic opportunities.

Here is what caught my eye, I hope you enjoy!

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Restaurant with outdoor dining near Karlsplatz

Strolling down the Hauptstrasse

Ornate entrance door

Founded in 1386, Heidelberg is Germany’s oldest and one of the world’s oldest surviving universities.

Around every corner you will find handsome buildings

Squares with fountains

Standing in the center of Marktplatz (Market Square). the Hercules fountain is a symbol of Heidelberg’s endurance through difficult times.

The Church of the Holy Spirit was built at the end of the 14th century

Hotel Zum Ritter St. Georg was built in 1592, with the last partial renovation in 1998.

There are painted buildings lining cobblestone streets

The Church of the Jesuits

An awaiting wedding car outside the Church of the Jesuits

Quaint little narrow streets with cobblestone streets

A bicycle with child cab on a quiet street

Colorful building with terraces

Looking across the Nekar River from Old Town

Bicycles left in the narrow alley

The next few pictures are of the student prison, established in the 1780’s and was in operation until 1914.

Students were incarcerated here for disorderly nighttime behavior, disturbing the peace, womanizing, unruly drunkenness and setting pigs free.

The prison has been closed since 1914, and today contains the original student’s graffiti art.

The student prisoner’s graffiti covers every available wall space in the building.

Over 2,000 paintings and graffiti adorn the walls and ceilings

In the last few decades before it was closed, the students regarded it as cool to be locked up and to be immortalized through their graffiti.

Many visitors go directly to Heidelberg Castle because of its imposing presence on the city’s landscape

The Heidelberg Castle ruins are among the most important Renaissance structures north of the Alps.

The Heidelberg Castle has only been partially rebuilt since its demolition in the 17th and 18th centuries.

The castle nestled in the hill 300 feet above Heidelberg was originally opened in 1214

The river view from the Heidelberg Castle

The stunning city and river views from the Heidelberg Castle

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The Heidelberg Castle is a combination of several buildings surrounding an inner courtyard. Each building highlights a different period of German architecture.

The German Apothecary Museum is housed In the Heidelberg Castle

A peek out at the countryside, from a castle window

A corridor leading out of the Heidelberg Castle complex

Making our way down from Heidelberg Castle

Widows with light blue shutters

The Karl-Theodor or Old Bridge spanning the Neckar River was finished in 1788 and built out of red sandstone

Getting lost in this city is exciting with photo opportunities around every corner.

What you should know:

• You will need a valid passport and a travel power adapter if you are from the US.

• The currency used is the Euro (EU).

• Many people speak English.

• People are friendly and helpful.

• The Old Town is walkable.

• You could spend a couple of hours to a few days exploring here.

• There are many restaurant and beer gardens.

• Tipping is not generally expected.

• There is a charge to use most public restroom (around 50 EU).