As soon as the travel restrictions were lifted a little, we decided to take the short road trip to Heidelberg. After being required to stay at home for almost 2 months, it felt so good to get out and explore. Nestled on the banks of the Neckar River, Heidelberg is one of the most romantic and beautiful German towns. This 17th century German town is only about an hour south of Frankfurt. Heidelberg University, the oldest and most prestigious university in Germany, is located in this gorgeous city. Tourists flock to this charming town because of its rich history and beautiful landscape.
Heidleberg is a fairy tale town with cobblestone streets lined with shops and cafes. As we drove into the city, there were so many couples and families having picnics along the river bank. It was a gorgeous spring day and all the flowers were blooming everywhere.
Schloss Heidelberg
The highlight of our trip was the Heidelberg Castle. The castle sits high above the city and from the top there is the most amazing view of the city. One of the most romantic castles in Germany, the magnificent sandstone ruins of this castle showcase the history of German romanticism.
Several wars and fires contributed to the castle falling into ruins. The Friedrich and Ottheinrich buildings are some of the best-persevered structures on the castle grounds. The castle gardens were constructed around 1616 and were regarded as a masterpiece of their time. The gardens are built upon several terraces and contain flower beds, mazes, arbors, sculptures, ponds, and beautiful trees.
I suggest taking a walking tour of the castle to learn more about its history and legends.
Heidelberg Tun
The Heidelberg Tun is the worlds’s largest wine barrel. It was built in 1751 to house all the wine paid as taxes by the wine growers in the region. There was a dwarf that guarded the wine, and he was known for his ability to drink a lot of wine. Legend has it that he died when he mistakenly drank a glass of water.
Apothecary Museum
Located in the Ottheinrichsbau Building, the Apothecary Museum allows visitors to learn about the pharmacy and dispensaries they used back then. It takes you back in time as you learn about the types of medicines, potions, and remedies they used a long time ago.
Explore the Old Town in Heidelberg
Take a walk through Alstadt, or Old Town, and take a step back in time. Here you will find Hauptstrasse, the longest pedestrian walkway in Europe. Old Town is beautiful with lots of shops, cafes, book stores, and ice cream shops. There is definitely something for everyone here. You can also take a walking tour and learn more about the history and architecture of the city. In the heart of Alstadt is Marktplatz, the city’s historic main square. This is where Heidelberg’s annual Christmas Market is located.
The Old Bridge
The Old Bridge is a beautiful arch bridge. The view of it from the castle is amazing. It connects the old and new parts of Heidelberg. They also offer cruises along the river, which is a great way to see the city. It is said that Mark Twain spent a lot of time here, and was the inspiration for Huckleberry Finn.
The Christmas Market
If you are lucky enough to visit Heidelberg during the holiday season, you must visit the Christmas market. During this time, Heidelberg is transformed into a beautiful Christmas wonderland. It is spread over five beautiful and historic market squares with over 140 individual stalls. There is also an ice skating rink that sits below the castle and is truly a magical experience with the lights and Christmas music. I can’t wait to go back and experience the Christmas market this holiday season!
If you are in Germany. you must visit the magical town of Heidelberg!
