In an effort to preserve my memories and pictures of Germany, I am writing a series: German Cities & Towns. While you can get information about these cities from far more professional websites than mine, these are MY memories, perspectives, and pictures. I hope you will enjoy them with me! And share what are YOUR favorite German cities & towns.
Today I am sharing some information and memories I have of visiting Heidelberg in 1996:
Its castle ruins are probably one of the most recognizable and visited sites in Germany - among Ludwig's Neuschwanstein, Berlin's Brandenburg gate, and München's Oktoberfest ...
In 1996, the entry fee to the castle courtyard was a mere 2 Deutsch Mark and and included a stop to see the famous world's biggest wine barrel, which was built in 1751 and stands 7 meters high and holds 58,124 gallons of wine. There is even a dance floor on top of it!
The castle tour cost us another 4 DM each - but of course, was well worth the money!
Heidelberg's castle is an interesting mix of styles from Baroque to Gothic. It was built in stages, first as a residence for the Prince-Elect Ruprecht III, starting in 1398, and in the 16th and 17th centuries two buildings were added to make the castle more of a fortress. Much of the castle was destroyed during the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648) and the Palatine War of Succession (1688-1697). Restoration attempts in 1764 by the prince elector of the time were thwarted by lightening. Then the castle grounds were used as a kind of quarry to supply stone for new houses in the city of Heidelberg - until this was put to a stop in 1800 by Count Charles de Greimberg, who began the restoration process.
Johann von Goethe walked the parks of Heidelberg castle in the late 1700's; Mark Twain lived in the city in 1878 with his family. Martin Luther was fetched to the city of Heidelberg shortly after posting his 95 Theses in Wittenberg to defend his writing in 1518.
On the northern bank of the Neckar River is the "Philosopher's Walk" where philosophers and university professors would discuss and contemplate. Heidelberg is after all the home of the oldest university in Germany, founded in 1386.
I have visited Heidelberg several times in my life ... and it is true to state that "I lost my heart in Heidelberg" as a famous song, composed in 1925 by Fred Raymond with lyrics by Fritz Löhner-Beda and Ernst Neubach states. This song remains Heidelberg's theme song as well as the inspiration for the 1927 film, The Student Prince in Old Heidelberg:
The Student Prince in Old Heidelberg, also known as The Student Prince and Old Heidelberg, is a 1927 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer silent drama film based on the 1901 play Old Heidelberg by Wilhelm Meyer-Förster. (source)
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