City Experience – discover that special Heidelberg feeling!
Joseph Victor von Scheffel, the German 19th century writer and poet, put it in a nutshell in a poem. Almost 200 years ago, many great poets and thinkers fell in love with this romantic city on the river Neckar. This was also the case for Joseph Freiherr von Eichendorff – or Friedrich Hölderlin, whose first stanza of his poem about Heidelberg is immortalized on a memorial stone in the so-called Hölderlin complex on Heidelberg’s Philosophenweg — the philosopher’s trail.
The city has always possessed something enchanted and even today Heidelberg is considered one of Germany’s most beautiful cities. To this day, the city on the Neckar fascinates millions of guests every year and offers every visitor a very special “Heidelberg Experience”.
Romantic, international and cosmopolitan
And, there is no doubt about this: The venerable university town exudes pure romance. But, of course , there is also another Heidelberg today, a modern, urban Heidelberg: the pulsating metropolis on the Neckar, characterized by cosmopolitanism and international charm. Discover both during your visit to Heidelberg and while staying in one of our boarding houses, which also breathe the Heidelberg spirit. It is worth discovering one of our boarding houses as your Heidelberg hotel, from where you can conquer the city and its special places for yourself.
Explore your favorite places in Heidelberg!
“Yes, I know — the castle, very nice!” But it’s not just the castle and our boarding houses that reflect the Heidelberg’s flair, but a great deal more: the Old Bridge, the longest pedestrian zone in Europe, the picturesque Old Town and… much more besides. Heidelberg , however,is more than the sum of all these magical places . Most people who have experienced Heidelberg have a special feeling about this city: the Heidelberg feeling that Hölderlin experienced and Eichendorff raved about.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SPOT IN HEIDELBERG?
THESE ARE OUR TOP THREE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR AN UNFORGETTABLE HEIDELBERG FEELING:
HEIDELBERG CASTLE
It epitomises German romanticism and for millions of Heidelberg visitors every year, it is the attraction par excellence: You simply have to see Heidelberg Castle, you have to stroll through the extensive castle courtyard and sit in the famous “Heidelberger Fass” one time.
Heidelberg Castle towers majestically above the roofs of the old town. It is easy to walk there or reach it via the tradition-steeped Heidelberg Bergbahn (mountain railroad). From the Kornmarkt valley station, the mountain railroad runs to the Castle and then continues via the Molkenkur station on to Königstuhl.
THE OLD BRIDGE
The Old Bridge was built in the 18th century from Neckar Valley sandstone. It is a grandiose example of classical bridge architecture in stone and it connects the Old Town with the banks of the Neckar at the eastern end of the Neuenheim district. On the city side, one part of the former city wall, the medieval bridge gate, is still preserved (the bridge itself was blown up in the last days of the war in 1945 and rebuilt in 1946–47).
Not only can you cross the Neckar on the Old Bridge, you can also discover some special features: for example, the sculptures by Konrad Linck, one of which represents the Roman goddess Minerva. Another special treat is certainly the Brückenaffe (Bridge Monkey), which was mentioned in the history of Heidelberg as early as the15th century. It is no longer in its original form, but as a 1979 bronze sculpture. However, this does not detract from the bridge monkey’s whimsical charm.
Philosophenweg
The Philosopher’s Trail with the Hölderlin complex and a breathtaking view of the castle, Old Town and Neckar River is an absolute must during any stay in Heidelberg. From here, at the southern end of the Heiligenberg, you have the famous view of the city as seen on all the postcards. And you can not only enjoy the view here, but also the unique natural surroundings: The Philosopher’s Trail is one of the warmest places in Germany — exotic plants such as cypress trees, Portuguese cherry trees, Spanish broom, as well as palms and pine trees. Even pomegranates, lemons and bamboos are found here.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO ON A JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY THROUGH HEIDELBERG EVEN MORE?
Perhaps it is the sites described here that make the city on the Neckar so famous. Yet of course, there is much more to discover in Heidelberg: very special places that have what it takes to become your own favorites.
Let yourself be inspired by the following impressions and take part on a journey of discovery yourself:
EUROPE’S LONGEST PEDESTRIAN ZONE RUNS RIGHT THROUGH HEIDELBERG’S PICTURESQUE OLD TOWN.
THE OLD UNIVERSITY IN HEIDELBERG’S OLD TOWN IS GERMANY’S OLDEST UNIVERSITY.
THE LIEBESSTEIN OR “LOVE STONE” STANDS ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE OLD BRIDGE AS A SYMBOL OF ETERNAL LOVE.
THE HEILIGGEISTKIRCHE (CHURCH OF THE HOLY SPIRIT) WAS FOUNDED IN 1398 AND IT IS SITUATED IN THE HEART OF THE OLD TOWN.
THE NOTORIOUS STUDENTENKARZER USED AS A PRISON FOR STUDENTS OF HEIDELBERG UNIVERSITY UNTIL 1914.
THE THINGSTÄTTE IS A POPULAR VANTAGE POINT ON THE HEILIGENBERG, OPPOSITE HEIDELBERG CASTLE, ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE NECKAR.
AT 568 m, THE KÖNIGSTUHL IS HEIDELBERG’S HIGH LOCAL HILL AND AN OASIS OF PEACE AND RELAXATION .
STIFT NEUBURG IS AN OLD BENEDICTINE MONASTERY ON THE EDGE OF HEIDELBERG IN THE FRONT NECKAR VALLEY.
