Heidelberg Castle (with the Barrel Cellar and the German Pharmacy Museum)

Heidelberg

Copyright: Heidelberg Marketing GmbH, Foto Tobias Schwerdt
DESTINATIONS germany heidelberg Do & See Heidelberg Castle (with the Barrel Cellar and the German Pharmacy Museum)

Heidelberg Castle (with the Barrel Cellar and the German Pharmacy Museum)

The Castle was erected on a medieval fortress complex high above Heidelberg. For five centuries, the powerful Prince-Electors of the Palatinate region, members of the House of Wittelsbach, resided here. In 1693, during the War of Palatinate Succession, the Castle with its towers was destroyed. The magnificent ruins became the symbol of an entire epoch, the German Romantic period. Today during the annual summer Castle Festivals the Castle is an enchanting stage setting for numerous open-air performances.

Do & See

Heidelberg is considered one of Germany’s most beautiful cities. The harmonious ensemble of Castle, Old Town and river in the midst of mountains was an inspiration to the poets and artists of the Romantic period, and has lost none of its fascination today for millions of visitors from all over the world. The symbol of the city, Heidelberg Castle, lies some 70 meters or 230 feet above the Neckar on the hillside of Heidelberg’s local mountain, the Königstuhl (King’s Chair). The ruins of the Castle towering above the town are among the most impressive sights that a trip through Germany can offer the marveling traveller. The city of the oldest university in Germany (founded in 1386, and since 2007 officially a University of Excellence) looks back on more than 800 years of history: from the former residence city of Germany’s Prince Electors up to today’s modern and future-oriented center of knowledge and economic growth.