The striking beauty of Heidelberg has inspired poets and artists for centuries. Today's visitors can also be enchanted with the old city's traditions and historical monuments.
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The story begins with the
earliest human remains ever found in Germany.
"Heidelberg Man" walked the area about 600,000 years ago, and left a jawbone behind.
The best view of the
old Heidelberg and the Castle is from across the river
Neckar, on the
Philosopher's Path. The panoramic view includes the Old Bridge with its towered gate, the 15th century Church of St. Peter, and the Castle on the eastern side of the city.
The Castle, or Schloss, was built between the 14th and 17th centuries, incorporating several different architectural styles, most dominant of which are Gothic and Renaissance. Today, the castle lies partly in ruins but its impressive stature remains.
The University of Heidelberg still has its presence in
Heidelberg's Old Town. Immortalized in the opera,
"The Student Prince", the University gained a reputation as a hotbed of intellectual thought during the Reformation. Today, student pubs are still scattered throughout the town, keeping intact the opera's portrayal of student life.
