Heidelberg Castle or the Castle of Heidelberg is among the most prominent sights of ruins in the Republic of Germany. It used to be the residence of the Elector of the Palatinate before it was destroyed by the army of Louis XIV during the Nine Years War. The castle is in-fact situated on the glorious slopes of the Königstuhl. From here you can see the splendid ruins of the red Neckar valley. Today the explorers and history buffs are seen mostly in and around the castle. It is among the most revered sights of history in the world where the historic lives and breathes memories and tales of the yore.
Location:
Situated in the city of Heidelberg, Heidelberg Castle is located at the height of 260 feet or 80 meters in the northern parts of Königstuhl (Odenwald).
Getting there:
You can reach the castle using the well-functioning Heidelberger Bergbahn funicular railway system. This railway network starts from Kornmarkt and reaches the summit of Königstuhl (Kings Seat). The escalation is of about 567 meters.
History:
Heidelberg Castle was left to ruins during the Nine Years War by the army of Louis XIV. Furthermore, it has only been partially reinstated after its demolition during the 17th and 18th centuries. Furthermore, throughout history the castle has suffered through not only military violence but also dangerous natural consequences. It was in 1537 when lightning struck the castle and destroyed its upper section. Moreover, the castle has witnessed many fires and wars, and kept on being rebuilt.
The castles location is such that it appears to dominate the entire nearby region though its sheer magnitude. The city of Heidelberg, in German was known as Heidelberch and was mentioned in history for the first time in 1196. It was only after the first Count of Palatine, Conrad of Hohenstaufen took over the seat which was made possible due to the decree of his half-brother Frederick Barbarossa (Frederick I, Holy Roman Emperor), that the region came to be known as Electorate of the Palatinate. At that point in time the residence of the seat was located on the hill top.
When you’re on top of the Königstuhl, it provides you with quite literally the ‘king’s seats’ view of the city of Heidelberg and the river Neckar. Occasionally during certain cloudless days you can also see as far as Pfaelzerwald (Palatinate Forest), which is located at a distance of 40-50 kilometres.
Furthermore, with the ascendancy of Rupert III of Germany to the throne of Germany in 1401, he desired fortification of the castle. It was due to his untimely death in 1410 that this dream of his could not materialise.
The famous author Victor Hugo, in a letter in 1838 glorified the history of the castle by saying that it has been standing for over five hundred years and has experienced everything that time had to offer. But now it seems to be crumbling under the overarching nature of pressures. He also indicates that the castle throughout has played a crucial role by standing at the position of a challenger to the powerful opposition. Moreover, he does not shy away from criticising the degenerated heirs of Frederick I who had in-fact failed his cause and resulted in the demise of the kingdom.
Furthermore, Martin Luther is also known to have visited the Heidelberg Castle for the defence of one of his theses. A few years down, around 1619, Frederick V, who was then the Elector Palatine, was offered the crown of Bohemia by the Protestant rebels. Frederick in-fact went on to accept the offer and this incident is known to have triggered the Thirty Years War.
It was at around this time that the castle was heavily damaged and this cycle of getting damaged and then it being rebuilding went on for a while right through the Nine Years War. This war ended with the Treaty of Ryswick in 1697 but apart from certain high flown plans not much repairs were conducted on the castle. It grew older and crumbled under its own weight. The actual repairs started to take shape only after the 1850’s.
Count Charles de Graimberg came forward as the saviour of the castle. He fought with the governments and showed his dedication by performing the role of a voluntary warden to the castle. He is often regarded as the pioneer of archiving the historic records around the history of not only the castle but also the region at large.
The castle has been home to many famous individuals from history such as Frederick V who was the Elector Palatine. He was married to Elizabeth Stuart. Also, Elizabeth Charlotte, the Princess Palatine, also lived here. She was the duchess of Orleans and Louis XIV’s sister in-law.
Architecture:
The Castel of Heidelberg is the living, resonating representation of Renaissance architecture situated in the lap of the gargantuan Alps. It was first designed and built sometime around the year 1214 and then in 1294, it was at around this time that the castle was also further expanded. When lightning struck and destroyed the upper castle it was redesigned and the present structure came up in 1650.
Why visit?
Heidelberg Castle offers not just bricks and ruins but a holistic historical experience. Moreover, the splendid view is another that the castle provides and has been dearly appreciated by many visitors. The most fantastic part of the myriad tours programs will definitely be the night time tour. Especially children, they will love the horrific tales, treasure hunts, and the historical tours. The organising committee also will help you in organising birthday parties and other events on special requests.
Visiting the castle is definitely an opportunity that you must experience at least once. The castle complex provides you with tour guides and it is in-fact only through them that you will be able to visit the interiors of the castle. Also, each tour lasts up to 60 minutes.
In addition to these, certain special tours of the State Palaces and Gardens of Baden-Württemberg can also be organised. These tours can be conducted while being dressed up in historical costumes and other such tours are: the culinary discovery tours, programs specially designed for children and families, and certain workshops and tours for the curious minded individuals.
These programs are lively and versatile in their design. You will be able to discover and live the experience of Heidelberg Castle in different ways. The tours are conducted in a chronological manner, historically speaking, and provide the participant with an extremely knowledgeable learning.
What else is around?
- Altstadt (Old Town)
- Philosophers’ Way (Philosophenweg)
- Carl Theodor Old Bridge (Alte Brucke)
- Market Square (Marktplatz)
- Konigstuhl Funicular (Bergbahn)
- Deutsches Apotheken Museum
- Church of the Holy Ghost (Heiliggeistkirche)
- Heiligenberg
- Thingstatte
- Old Heidelberg University (Alte Universitat)
- Student Jail (Studentenkarzer)
- Heidelberg Zoo
- University Library (Universitatsbibliothek)
- Museum of the Palatinate (Kurpfalzisches Museum)
- Jesuiten Kirche
- Bruckenaffe
- Peter’s Church (Peterskirche)
- Friedrich Ebert Memorial (Gedenkstatte)
- Agyptisches Museum Heidelberg (Egyptian Museum of Heidelberg).