UNESCO City of Literature

Heidelberg

Copyright: Heidelberg Marketing GmbH, Foto Tobias Schwerdt

DESTINATIONS germany heidelberg Do & See UNESCO City of Literature

UNESCO City of Literature

Literature is omnipresent in Heidelberg. Walking through the city, you will find bookshops, second-hand bookshops, publishing houses and libraries on every corner. Hardly a day goes by without a literary event, no summer without the Heidelberg Literature Festival, no year without literary prize winners. A look at the lively author, translator and theatre scene shows the high literary productivity in the Neckar city. Since the beginning of December 2014, Heidelberg has been an official member of the "UNESCO Creative Cities Network" as a "UNESCO City of Literature". The city is thus the first UNESCO City of Literature in Germany.

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.

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 …

The Old Bridge

Together with its famed Bridge Gate, which was once a part of the city wall, the Old Bridge has always been a symbol of Heidelberg. The statues of Karl-Theodor (who built and gave his name to the current stone bridge) and of Pallas Athena, the goddess of wisdom and culture, stand enthroned here above …

Market Square with the Church of the Holy Spirit

Market Square with the Church of the Holy Spirit

One of the city’s oldest squares, Market Square is framed on the east by the town hall and on the west by the Church of the Holy Spirit. In the center of the square stands the majestic Hercules Fountain, erected between 1706 and 1709 as a reminder of the immense efforts required to rebuild …

Kornmarkt with Madonna statue

Kornmarkt with Madonna statue

The Madonna statue on Kornmarkt was erected in the course of recatholisation efforts under Prince Elector Karl Philipp. Created by Peter von den Branden in 1718, the Corn Market Madonna is considered the most beautiful baroque statue in Heidelberg. On the western side of the Kornmarkt stands the stately Palais Prince Carl – from …

The Old University

The Old University

In the Alte Aula, the hallowed old lecture hall of the Old University building, famous graduate students have defended their doctoral theses and received their degrees for some 300 years. Today the Alte Aula is the ceremonial hall of Heidelberg University. Mural paintings on the ceiling and front wall of the wood-panelled room represent …

Philosophenweg (Philosophers’ Walk)

Philosophenweg (Philosophers’ Walk)

Philosophers’ Walk is considered one of the most beautiful walkways in all Europe. The famed pathway that meanders along the sunny side of the Heiligenberg has inspired countless scholars and poets through the centuries, and today offers visitors an unimpaired view of the castle and town, as well as numerous benches on which to …

Weisse Flotte Heidelberg (White Fleet)

Weisse Flotte Heidelberg (White Fleet)

Whether you are exploring Heidelberg for the first time, rediscovering your hometown or seeking a mini-vacation, a White Fleet cruise is a relaxing way to see one of Germany´s most beautiful townscapes. There are numerous cruises to choose from. During our tour of 40 minutes up to three hours you get great impression of Heidelberg, …

Solarboat Neckarsonne

Solarboat Neckarsonne

The ship (length: 36,90 m) on the Neckar River is powered by solar energy. The passengers experience the most delightful views of the city while the ship gently gildes by. The views are only enjoyable from the waterside. This is an environment that makes the trip the experience. Additional to the fascinating round view …

Heidelberger Liebesstein

Heidelberger Liebesstein

The "Heidelberger Liebesstein" is an Odenwald sandstone which stands on the north side of the Old Bridge. Couples in love can fix an engraved love lock there to seal their eternal love. The engraved love locks seal the eternal love of couples. According to an old tradition, couples close the lock together and throw the …

Walking Tour of the Old Town

Walking Tour of the Old Town

The oldest part of Heidelberg has far more to offer than the Alte Brücke (Old Bridge), the picturesque alleys and the unique view of the world’s best-known ruin. In the Old Town, dreamy squares are linked like beads on a necklace, with people of all ages and from around the world meeting in the …

City and Castle Sightseeing Tour

City and Castle Sightseeing Tour

You will first receive an unobstructed view of the “Stage Heidelberg”. Let your gaze wander up to take in the Romantic Castle, majestically towering above Karlsplatz (Carl’s Square). This is followed by a comfortable City and Castle Sightseeing Tour with a tourist guide along the River Neckar to a photo stop at the Alte …

Parks and Gardens

Parks and Gardens

Those who are looking for a place to relax in the fresh air in between will find a nice place in one of the public parks. Here is a selection of "green oases": Castle Garden www.schloss-heidelberg.de The geometrically structured terraces of the Heidelberg Castle Garden "Hortus Palatinus" were once considered the "eighth wonder of the world". The …

Viewpoints

The Königstuhl rises 567.8 meters high next to Heidelberg's old town. Opposite the Heidelberg Castle on the north bank of the Neckar River stands the 440-meter-high Heiligenberg. The two local mountains offer a breathtaking view of the city and the surrounding area from numerous vantage points: - Königstuhl - Molkenkur - Heiligenberg - Heidelberger Schloss/ Schlossaltan - Heidelberger Schloss/ Scheffelterrasse - Riesenstein - Kloster Stift …

Hiking and cycling

Hiking and cycling

HIKING TRAILS Quality hiking trail Neckarsteig The Neckarsteig is a hiking trail certified by the German Hiking Association. It is around 127 km long and 3127 metres high and leads from Heidelberg to Bad Wimpfen, combining nature with the cultural and historical attractions of the region. The hiking trail offers very good continuous marking and is …

Segway-Tour

Segway-Tour "Highly Philosophical"

The Segway Tour opens up an entirely new perspective. Glide along the River Neckar to the historical and trendy quarter Neuenheim with a tour guide. From there, you will continue towards the zoo and through the Neuenheimer Feld, with its impressive university and hospital buildings, and up to the Philosophenweg (Philosophers’ Walk). This Heidelberg …

Pedal Boats

Discover the Neckar for yourself! At the boathouse on the Neckar meadow next to the Theodor Heuss Bridge, pedal boats and motorboats can be hired from April to the end of …

Studentenkarzer (Student Prison)

Studentenkarzer (Student Prison)

From 1778 to 1914, the university’s young students were briefly imprisoned here for minor offenses, such as willfully disturbing the peace of the citizenry. Many of the inmates passed the time away by immortalizing themselves on the walls of the prison with drawings, silhouettes, and expressive phrases. Their spirited artwork can be admired today …

University library

University library

The red sandstone facade of the library, adorned with sculpted figures and portraits, proclaims the significance of the building that presides over some 3 million books. Within, the staircase landings display carved busts of famous scholars, and the library’s regularly changing exhibitions invite a closer look. A special attraction is the "Codex Manesse", the …

Museum of the Palatinate

Museum of the Palatinate

The magnificent baroque Palais Morass, built in 1712, houses the art and art history collections of the Museum of the Palatinate. The Museum’s comprehensive holdings in the fields of paintings, graphics, sculpture, artisan craftworks, archaeology, and the history of the city, present a unique picture of the Palatinate of by-gone days and eras. The …

President Friedrich Ebert Foundation Memorial

President Friedrich Ebert Foundation Memorial

Friedrich Ebert, the first President of the Weimarer Republic, was born in this small apartment in 1871. In the exhibition rooms of the memorial museum and in his house of birth, the life and work of Friedrich Ebert and a vital piece of German history are brought to …

Prinzhorn Collection

Prinzhorn Collection

The Prinzhorn Collection is the custodian of a worldwide exceptional body of work done by patients in psychiatric hospitals at the dawn of the 20th century, collated by the art historian and physician of the Heidelberg Psychiatric University hospital, Hans Prinzhorn from 1919 to 1921. The Prinzhorn Collection comprises some 5000 works, the majority in …

The Heidelberg Zoo

The Heidelberg Zoo

A perfect outing for the whole family is Heidelberg’s wonderful zoo. Located in the Neuenheimer Feld area just over the Neckar, with a beautiful collection of trees, a large children’s playground, and a children’s zoo for one-to-one encounters, the Heidelberg Zoo is considered one of the most innovative zoos in Germany today. Founded …

Märchenparadies (theme park)

Märchenparadies (theme park)

Rediscover numerous fairytales, such as Snow White, Dwarf Nose, Rumpelstiltskin or the Liar Baron - just the lovable, mysterious fairy tale characters that are known from the books. Whether it's a fast-paced kite ride, a witch ride or fun on the new climbing wall - children can let off steam to their heart's content …

Swimming

Heidelberg offers several swimming pools, both 2 scenic outdoor pools with large sunbathing areas for the summer months and 3 indoor pools, which are usually open from autumn to spring. The most centrally located indoor pool is in the shopping centre Darmstädter Hof, near …

UNESCO City of Literature

UNESCO City of Literature

Literature is omnipresent in Heidelberg. Walking through the city, you will find bookshops, second-hand bookshops, publishing houses and libraries on every corner. Hardly a day goes by without a literary event, no summer without the Heidelberg Literature Festival, no year without literary prize winners. A look at the lively author, translator and theatre scene …