Known all over the world.
Millions of guests visit Heidelberg every year, admiring the picturesque old town and its castle ruin towering over the river Neckar.
Built in the first half of the 13th century, Heidelberg Castle was the seat of the Electors of the Palatinate. After destruction during the Thirty Years' War and the War of the Palatinate Succession, the landmark of the city of Heidelberg is in ruins - nevertheless, today it is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Europe.
The old town of Heidelberg is located on the left bank of the Neckar river. To the south, the old town is surrounded by the Königstuhl (568 meters) and the Gaisberg (375 meters). The old town with its medieval layout was first mentioned in a document in 1196 - today it fascinates with its narrow streets and numerous baroque buildings. With an uninterrupted length of 1,600 meters, Heidelberg's main street in the Old Town is considered the longest pedestrian zone in Europe, lined with bistros, cafés and restaurants.
Worth seeing is the Old Bridge (built between 1786 and 1788), which was rebuilt according to the old model after its destruction shortly before the end of the war. As one of the last examples of classical stone bridge construction, it connects the old town with the Neuenheim district. On the Old Town side is the medieval bridge gate, which is part of the old city wall.
Opposite Heidelberg Castle and the Königstuhl, the Philosophenweg (Philosophers' Path), about two kilometers long, leads from the Neuenheim district to the Heiligenberg. The view of the old town, river and mountains makes you understand why visitors from all over the world have made Heidelberg a permanent fixture on a trip through Germany.
Heidelberg is significantly shaped by student life. The renowned Ruprecht Karls University, founded in 1386, is one of the oldest in Europe, the oldest university in Germany and has been a top address for teaching and research since the beginning.
We have linked more information about the city of Heidelberg here.