Heidelberg Castle

Heidelberg Castle

The first mention of a castle in Heidelberg is in 1214, when Louis I, Duke of Bavaria of the House of Wittelsbach received it from Hohenstaufen Emperor Friedrich II. The last mention of a single castle is in 1294. In another document from 1303, two castles are mentioned for the first time: The upper castle on Kleiner Gaisberg Mountain, near today's Hotel Molkenkur (destroyed in 1537); The lower castle on the Jettenbühl (the present castle site).

Heidelberg Castle

Our Heidelberg tour guide

Heidelberg Castle

Heidelberg Castle

Heidelberg Castle

Heidelberg Castle

Heidelberg Castle

Heidelberg Castle

The first mention of a castle in Heidelberg is in 1214, when Louis I, Duke of Bavaria of the House of Wittelsbach received it from Hohenstaufen Emperor Friedrich II. The last mention of a single castle is in 1294. In another document from 1303, two castles are mentioned for the first time: The upper castle on Kleiner Gaisberg Mountain, near today's Hotel Molkenkur (destroyed in 1537); The lower castle on the Jettenbühl (the present castle site).

Heidelberg Castle

Heidelberg Castle

Heidelberg Castle

Heidelberg Castle

Heidelberg Castle

Heidelberg Castle

Heidelberg Castle

All that is known about the founding of the lower castle is that it took place sometime between 1294 and 1303. The oldest documented references to Heidelberg Castle are found during the 1600s.

Heidelberg Castle

Heidelberg Castle

Heidelberg Castle

Heidelberg Castle

Heidelberg Castle

Heidelberg Tun - Heidelberg Castle

The Heidelberg Tun, or the “World’s Largest Wine Barrel”, was built in 1751 by Prince Elector Karl Theodor to house the wine paid as taxes by the wine growers of the Palatine. It stands seven meters high, is eight and a half meters wide, holds 220,000 liters (58,124 gallons) of wine, and has a dance floor built on top of it. The court jester who guarded the cask during the reign of Prince Elector Carl Philip, a Tyrolean dwarf nick-named Perkeo, was supposedly known for his ability to drink large quantities of wine. Legend has it that he died when he mistakenly drank a glass of water.

Heidelberg Castle

Heidelberg Castle

The Karl Theodor Bridge - Alte Brucke - 1788

The Karl Theodor Bridge (German: Karl-Theodor-Brücke), commonly known as the Old Bridge (Alte Brücke), is an arch bridge in Heidelberg that crosses the Neckar river. It connects the Old City with the eastern part of the Neuenheim district of the city on the opposite bank. The current bridge, made of Neckar sandstone and the ninth built on the site, was constructed in 1788 by Elector Charles Theodore, and is one of the best-known landmarks and tourist destinations in Heidelberg. The Romans built the first bridge in the region of what is now Heidelberg in the first century CE. This wooden pile bridge, located between what are now the districts of Neuenheim and Bergheim, was rebuilt in stone around the year 200.[1] After the Roman bridge collapsed Heidelberg was without a bridge for nearly a thousand years.

Heidelberg Old Town & Neckar River & Alte Brucke - 1788

Home to the oldest university in Germany, Heidelberg was hit hard during 17th-century wars and rebuilt in the 18th century with baroque buildings. For a pleasant walk, stroll through the historic city center's Gothic streets. Be sure to take in Heidelberg Castle, the symbolic heart of the city; Alte Brucke, a beautiful 18th-century bridge; and the Student Jail. Built as long ago as the 16th century, it was used to keep mischievous students off the streets for three days to a month at a time.

Holy Spirit Church (Heidelberg)

Holy Spirit Church (Heidelberg)

The Holy Spirit Church (German: Heiliggeistkirche ) is the most famous church in Heidelberg, Germany . It is located in the heart of Heidelberg ’s Old Town, not far from Heidelberg Castle . The spire of the church dominates the city ’s skyline. The construction of the church lasted 150 years. Choir seats were completed in 1411, and the bell tower was completed in 1544. In the 14th century, the Holy Spirit Church replaced St. Peter's Church, which became the university church of Heidelberg University . Historically, the church has been used by Catholics and Protestants in turns or simultaneously. Beginning in 1706, partitions were installed in the hall so that they could hold their own services without interference. In 1936, the separation was demolished, and the church belonged entirely to the Protestant Baden Evangelical Church.

Heidelberg Castle

The Golden Statue Of St. Mary

The Golden Statue Of St. Mary In The Old Town Of Heidelberg

Statue Of Hercules

Statue Of Hercules In Market Square Heidelberg Germany ...

Old Town Heidelberg - Hotel Ritter - 1592

The cloth merchant Carolus Bélier, Huguenot and Calvinist, from Tournai built the residential- and business house in 1592, on an already existing basement. Bélier left the intolerant France with his family and was then welcomed in Heidelberg by the elector Friedrich III. The house, which is facing the Heiliggeist-Church and that is situated right by the town square, was built in honour of his wife Fracina. The architect that designed the building and the art-builders that completed the façade of it are unknown.

Hotel Ritter - Old Town Heidelberg

https://www.hotel-ritter-heidelberg.com/xstorage/hotel/Geschichte%20Ritter%20Engl.%20neu.pdf

Haus zum Ritter

https://www.hotel-ritter-heidelberg.com/xstorage/hotel/Geschichte%20Ritter%20Engl.%20neu.pdf

Old Town Heidelberg

Käthe Wohlfahrt - Christmas Shop - Heidelberg, Germany

Käthe Wohlfahrt Discover beautiful wooden nutcrackers, incense smokers, christmas pyramids, music boxes, tree ornaments made of glass, wood, straw and pewter as well as exclusive tabletop accessories, cuckoo clocks and regional souvenirs. Enjoy the sights, sounds and traditions of Christmas all year around. The heart of the village is the old fashion German Market Place complete with timber frame, snow covered houses. Walk the winding cobble stone "streets" under a thousand twinkling stars. German Christmas traditions come alive. Explore the hundreds of nutcrackers, incense smokers, pyramids, swibbogen, Christmas tree ornaments, rauschgold angels, Christmas nativity scenes and other fine Christmas decorations available to purchase.

Heidelberg Old Town & Holy Spirit Church (Heidelberg)

Trendhouse Reeb (next to Hotel Ritter)

Gast Haus zum Hirsch Restaurant Zum Hirsch

Hotel Ritter - Hotel Zum Ritter

Located right in the heart of the Old Town, opposite the Town Hall, the Hotel zum Ritter St. Georg is an integral part of Heidelberg's historic townscape. This magnificent building has attracted millions of visitors since it was built in 1592. The name Ritter (=knight) came from the little figure on the gable, that is showing the knight St.Georg. The right bowfront of the façade on the second floor shows an image of Bélier and his wife. Historians have divided opinions over the relief-couple below – if it either portrays Béliers children or some aristocratic personalities, like the administrator of the Saxon Electorate Johann Casimir and his wife Elisabeth of Saxony. https://www.hotel-ritter-heidelberg.com/xstorage/hotel/Geschichte%20Ritter%20Engl.%20neu.pdf

Hotel Ritter -

„Soli Deo Gloria“ (= Glory to God alone) The name Ritter (=knight) came from the little figure on the gable, that is showing the knight St.Georg. The right bowfront of the façade on the second floor shows an image of Bélier and his wife. Historians have divided opinions over the relief-couple below – if it either portrays Béliers children or some aristocratic personalities, like the administrator of the Saxon Electorate Johann Casimir and his wife Elisabeth of Saxony.

Hotel Ritter -

„Persta invicta Venus“ (= Always remain undefeated, beauty)