A couple of weeks ago I went to Heidelberg for the day. It is one of the most picturesque towns in Germany and is well known outside of the German borders as a popular tourist destination. I'm sure as I was walking down the main shopping street I heard more English and other languages being spoken than German.
After having a coffee in one of the many, many cafes, looking in a few shops and stepping inside the church, I walked up A LOT of stairs to the famous Heidelberg castle. The castle ruins are among the most important Renaissance structures north of the Alps. The castle has only been partially rebuilt since its demolition in the 17th and 18th centuries.
After having a coffee in one of the many, many cafes, looking in a few shops and stepping inside the church, I walked up A LOT of stairs to the famous Heidelberg castle. The castle ruins are among the most important Renaissance structures north of the Alps. The castle has only been partially rebuilt since its demolition in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Mark Twain, the American author, described the Heidelberg Castle in his 1880 travel book A Tramp Abroad:
“A ruin must be rightly situated, to be effective. This one could not have been better placed. It stands upon a commanding elevation, it is buried in green woods, there is no level ground about it, but, on the contrary, there are wooded terraces upon terraces, and one looks down through shining leaves into profound chasms and abysses where twilight reigns and the sun cannot intrude. Nature knows how to garnish a ruin to get the best effect. One of these old towers is split down the middle, and one half has tumbled aside. It tumbled in such a way as to establish itself in a picturesque attitude. Then all it lacked was a fitting drapery, and Nature has furnished that; she has robed the rugged mass in flowers and verdure, and made it a charm to the eye. The standing half exposes its arched and cavernous rooms to you, like open, toothless mouths; there, too, the vines and flowers have done their work of grace. The rear portion of the tower has not been neglected, either, but is clothed with a clinging garment of polished ivy which hides the wounds and stains of time. Even the top is not left bare, but is crowned with a flourishing group of trees & shrubs. Misfortune has done for this old tower what it has done for the human character sometimes – improved it."
“A ruin must be rightly situated, to be effective. This one could not have been better placed. It stands upon a commanding elevation, it is buried in green woods, there is no level ground about it, but, on the contrary, there are wooded terraces upon terraces, and one looks down through shining leaves into profound chasms and abysses where twilight reigns and the sun cannot intrude. Nature knows how to garnish a ruin to get the best effect. One of these old towers is split down the middle, and one half has tumbled aside. It tumbled in such a way as to establish itself in a picturesque attitude. Then all it lacked was a fitting drapery, and Nature has furnished that; she has robed the rugged mass in flowers and verdure, and made it a charm to the eye. The standing half exposes its arched and cavernous rooms to you, like open, toothless mouths; there, too, the vines and flowers have done their work of grace. The rear portion of the tower has not been neglected, either, but is clothed with a clinging garment of polished ivy which hides the wounds and stains of time. Even the top is not left bare, but is crowned with a flourishing group of trees & shrubs. Misfortune has done for this old tower what it has done for the human character sometimes – improved it."
T
he view from the top is amazing and it is easy to s ee why Heidelberg has over 3 million visitors a year (most of those are from Japan and the USA). In the above photo you can see the old stone bridge which is a medieval gate bridge. You can walk across to the other side for a different view of the castle which sits on the hill overlooking the old city. Originally the bridge was part of the town wall.
After a day of walking, I stumbled onto a side street which seemed to be dedicated to chocolate. I found the most amazing hot chocolate cafe, there were so many flavours. In the end I settled on a cashew and caramel hot chocolate (with chocolate that is made in Austria haha). It was a nice way to end my day in Heidelberg.
I think anyone who visits Germany should go to Heidelberg, even just for one day to experience such a beautiful, fairy tale like town.
After a day of walking, I stumbled onto a side street which seemed to be dedicated to chocolate. I found the most amazing hot chocolate cafe, there were so many flavours. In the end I settled on a cashew and caramel hot chocolate (with chocolate that is made in Austria haha). It was a nice way to end my day in Heidelberg.
I think anyone who visits Germany should go to Heidelberg, even just for one day to experience such a beautiful, fairy tale like town.