In this article, our route is Germany’s romantic city Heidelberg. As someone who has visited this place twice, I will try to share my impressions with you.. The first time I went, I was here for 3 days for a congress and in a day and a half I discovered this city I had never known before.. The next time, I went to the Christmas market for the day and this time it was much easier to find the destinations.. And as a result of all these experiences, I can say that one day is enough to visit Heidelberg.. Now let’s see where to visit in Heidelberg.
Places to Visit in Heidelberg
Our recommendations for you in our “Heidelberg Travel Guide” article, which we have prepared based on our experiences during the Heidelberg trip, which is famous as Germany’s romantic city, are as follows:
Altstadt (Old town)
There are many important buildings that you may come across while walking on the shopping street (Hauptstadt) in Heidelberg.. We can say that the city is a small university city.. Heidelberg University, one of the oldest universities in the world with a history of 632 years, is located in the city.. Our first route, old town. Historic old town, area with many squares (Marktplatz), churches and historical buildings. Most of the places to visit are located in this region.. While walking along the road, you often come across the old buildings of the university.. Of course, from this road, I recommend you to head towards the side of the Neckar river and see the old bridge (Old Bridge Heidelberg) and photograph the castle view from here.. If you will be here during the warm seasons, the lush green landscape around the river will also provide you with an excellent visual feast.
Heidelberg Castle (Schloss Heidelberg)
To see the castle, which has become the symbol of Heidelberg, you have to risk going up a little bit.. You can do this using the funicular, which is what we did. On the way back, you can use the stairs to go down to the city through the houses and greenery. The ruins of the castle are considered among the most important Renaissance structures north of the Alps. Although it was officially built in 1214, of course, after seeing many wars and destruction, it takes its final form over time.. Here you feel like you are walking in the garden of a medieval castle.. For those who are curious, there is also the Deutsches Apotheken-Museum, a museum in which the history of pharmacy is told and examples are found.. For example, you can see the boxes of the first penicillin, insulin, etc. drugs in history here.. There is even a room in the museum where you can smell different essences and guess their names.. Also in the area where the castle is located, there is Heidelberg Tun, a huge wine barrel with a capacity of approximately 10,000 gallons.. This place also serves as a cafe.
University of Heidelberg
The University of Heidelberg is a well-established university that dates back to 1386 and has hosted 56 Nobel laureates.. We can say that it is a very successful university in fields such as physics, chemistry and medicine.. While we were all the way to Heidelberg, we said that it would be impossible not to visit the buildings where these important people lived.. Located in the old university building, the Old Assembly Hall took its final form in 1886 with the restoration made in honor of the 500th anniversary and is truly impressive.. The hall, which was also used as a classroom in the past, is now used for academic ceremonies.. As research scientists, we sit on the benches here and feel the atmosphere.. You can also visit the university museum on the ground floor in the same building and witness more of the university’s history..
The old university building and places to visit about the university are located very close to each other.. The square on Hauptstadt street, where the old university building is located, is called Universitatsplatz (here “a” is a colon, but it is difficult with a Turkish keyboard:). If you continue on Grabengasse street from this direction, you will reach the library on the left.. You can understand that this is the library from the nearly hundred bicycles in front of it.. Yes I’m not exaggerating, you can see at least a hundred bikes parked in a row. I suggest you come in.. Maybe you can’t borrow a book, but its architecture and environment are worth seeing. Since we as a couple spent a lot of time in the library when we were students, the library for us is like a house covered with wonderful book scents, so we love it.. By the way, there is no ID or bag check when you enter, don’t worry.
Student Prison (Studentenkarzer)
Our next route is towards an interesting place: Studentenkarzer. The student prison was established in 1780 at the back of the old university building and was actively used until 1914.. This is a prison where students can be imprisoned for two days to four weeks, depending on their nighttime disorder or crime against rule violations.. Small one- or two-person wards have wooden beds and desks. Students were allowed to continue their studies during their arrest.. The interesting thing here is the drawings on the wall that plunge you into darkness when you walk in.. Paintings and poems, the works of imprisoned students covering the walls, form a unique historical reference. For example, you can find a poem written in 1886 here.. Student prison is a place visited by many tourists and I say prepare for a somewhat depressing experience.. In the first picture I shared below, “Eine für Alle, Alle für Einen!” he is writing. It means one for all and all for one in german. Apparently, the students who stayed here in 1901 were in close solidarity:)
In addition to the places we visited in Heidelberg, there is a place worth seeing. the other route is Philosophers walk. So the way of the Philosophers. We couldn’t stop by here on our trip, but I want to give a little information.. This is a road on the other bank of the Neckar river that gives a view from the hill to the old town and the castle.. It can be visited for its natural beauties, garden and view.. As far as I researched, you have to walk up a hill for a long time.. Its peculiarity is that many philosophers and professors during the Romantic period came here to find inspiration and relax with the scenery.
I end my article about places to visit in Heidelberg here.. If I’m going to write about Heidelberg again, it might be about the Heidelberg Christmas Market.. It’s really worth telling 🙂
Have a nice trip to all of you!
References:
https://www.thecrazytourist.com /
https://theculturetrip.com/