Market Square
Marktplatz

The Marktplatz in Heidelberg has been the heart and meeting point of the city for centuries. Already in the Middle Ages, the square was laid out as a trading and market area, where farmers, merchants and craftsmen gathered to trade food, textiles and tools. Its location between the Neckar River and the Schlossberg provided optimal conditions for trade and for the city’s citizens to meet. The market square served not only as an economic center, but also as the place where judgments were handed down and where public ceremonies and celebrations took place.

Architecturally, the Marktplatz is surrounded by buildings that reflect many different eras of Heidelberg’s history. The old town hall from the 18th century forms a dominant frame, while the Heiliggeistkirche rises as a monumental backdrop on the west side of the square. In the middle of the square stands the Herkulesbrunnen, a Baroque fountain from the 18th century. It was erected as a symbol of the city’s reconstruction after devastating wars. The cobblestone streets leading to the square and the many narrow houses with classicist and baroque facades create an authentic historical atmosphere.

Today, the Marktplatz is both a historical and a vibrant modern urban space. Every year, the square is transformed into a Christmas market, where stalls fill the area with lights and the scent of mulled wine and spices. In the summer, it is filled with café tables, and tourists and students sit side by side with locals enjoying the view of the historic buildings.

City Hall
Rathaus

The Rathaus is Heidelberg’s town hall, located directly on the Marktplatz. It has served as the political and administrative center of the city since the 18th century. The building was built after previous town halls had been destroyed during the many wars that ravaged the Palatinate region in the 17th century. The new town hall was designed in the Baroque style with symmetry, monumentality and a representative facade that was intended to emphasize the city’s regained power and stability.

Architecturally, the building is characterized by a strict Baroque style with sandstone details and a harmonious facade, where the large windows and the distinctive entrance hall emphasize the official character. Inside, the building housed both the council chamber, offices and representative rooms, where the city leaders could receive guests and make decisions. Over the centuries, the town hall has been rebuilt and expanded, but it has retained its Baroque basic form, which is a distinctive feature of the architecture of the Marktplatz.

Church of the Holy Spirit
Heiliggeistkirche

Heiliggeistkirche is one of the most distinctive church buildings in Heidelberg. It was built from the mid-14th century to the early 15th century. The church was built both as a parish church for the city’s citizens and as a burial church for the Electors of the Palatinate, making it a monument of both faith and political power. The church’s location on the Marktplatz emphasizes its central role.

The Gothic architecture is evident in the church’s high nave with ribbed vaults, the slender pointed windows and the impressive tower that rises above the city’s roofs. The tower was changed in the Baroque period, giving the building a unique interplay of styles. Inside, the church appears bright and spacious, which was made possible by the Gothic construction that sought the vertical and the heavenly. For a period, the Heiliggeistkirche also housed one of the most important libraries in Germany, the so-called Bibliotheca Palatina, which was later taken to the Vatican as war booty.

The church took on a special role during the Reformation, when it was divided between Catholics and Protestants for long periods. This division, where a wall physically separated the congregations, is a unique testimony to the region’s religious conflicts. Today, the Heiliggeistkirche is still used for church services, but also for concerts and cultural events.

Old Bridge
Alte Brücke

The Alte Brücke, officially known as the Karl-Theodor-Brücke, is one of Heidelberg’s most iconic landmarks. The current bridge was built in 1788 by Elector Karl Theodor, replacing earlier wooden bridges and an older stone bridge that had been repeatedly destroyed by floods and war. Since then, the bridge has served as an important link across the Neckar River and is now a popular tourist destination with beautiful views.

The bridge was built of red Neckar sandstone and consists of nine large arches that elegantly span the river. The classicist style that characterizes the construction reflects the 18th century taste for harmony and symmetry. On the south side, the medieval gate towers, preserved from an earlier bridge, give the entire structure a medieval character. In addition, sculptures have been added, including a statue of Karl Theodor himself and the famous monkey figure, symbolizing humility and self-awareness.

University Square
Universitätsplatz

Universitätsplatz is one of the central squares in Heidelberg’s old town, and for centuries it has been closely associated with the life of the city’s university. Originally used as a market area, the square was gradually transformed into an academic center from the 18th century when the university built several of its most important buildings here. Its role as a meeting place for students and scholars made it a lively part of the city’s intellectual environment.

Architecturally, the square is dominated by the Neue Universität, which was built in the early 19th century in the classicist style with a monumental facade, columns and a clear symmetrical structure. The building was a symbol of the Enlightenment ideals of knowledge and rationality. At the same time, the square is surrounded by older buildings, which testify to the university’s long history since its foundation in 1386 as the oldest in Germany.

Charles’ Square
Karlsplatz

Karlsplatz was created in the 19th century after a number of older medieval buildings were demolished. The square was named after Elector Karl Theodor and was created as an open and representative square that would provide air and a view in the middle of the dense old town. It quickly became a central place for parades, markets and social activities.

Architecturally, Karlsplatz is characterized by classicist buildings that surround the square, as well as a fountain in the middle, which gives the square an artistic touch. The great openness means that from here you have one of the most impressive views of Heidelberg Castle, which dominates the background. The square thus functions both as an urban space in itself and as a visual frame for what is probably the city’s greatest attraction.

Heidelberg Castle
Schloss Heidelberg

Heidelberg Castle is the city’s most famous landmark and one of the most important Renaissance castles in Europe. The castle’s history dates back to the 13th century, when the first fortifications were built. During the 16th and 17th centuries, it was expanded by the Electors of the Palatinate into a magnificent residence that reflected their power and cultural ambitions. It was here that the Court of Heidelberg flourished as a center for art, music, and science.

Architecturally, Heidelberg Castle is a complex structure that combines elements from the Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque styles. The Ottheinrichsbau and Friedrichsbau are the most famous wings, and they are known for their lavish sandstone facades decorated with statues and ornaments depicting both biblical figures and the Electors’ ancestors. The castle’s location on a slope above the city gives it a monumental character, and the surrounding gardens were laid out as representative landscapes during the Baroque period.

The castle was destroyed during the Thirty Years’ War and especially during the War of the Palatinate Succession at the end of the 17th century, leaving it as a romantic ruin. In the 19th century, it became a source of inspiration for artists and poets, who saw the ruin as a symbol of transience and beauty. Today, Heidelberg Castle is one of Germany’s most visited tourist destinations, with guided tours, a wine cellar, a museum and classical concerts in the castle courtyard.

The Friedrichsbau is part of Heidelberg Castle. The building was built between 1601 and 1607 under Elector Frederick IV. The building was built as a representative residential wing and is an impressive example of Renaissance architecture in Germany. Today, the Friedrichsbau stands as one of the best-preserved parts of the castle complex.

The facade of the Friedrichsbau is decorated with statues of electors and biblical figures, arranged on several floors as a kind of visual program that was supposed to emphasize the legitimacy and wisdom of the ruler. The combination of red sandstone, large windows and ornamental details gives the building an elegance and monumentality typical of the Renaissance. Inside, the wing housed magnificent halls and private apartments where the Elector could represent his power to guests and diplomats.

Heidelberg Cable Cars
Bergbahnen Heidelberg

Heidelberg’s cable cars were built at the beginning of the 20th century to facilitate access to Heidelberg Castle and the higher areas called Molkenkur and Königstuhl. The cable cars became part of the growing tourism, where Heidelberg, with its castle and its scenic location, attracted guests from all over Europe. From the very beginning, the cables were considered technological wonders and an exciting part of the experience in the city.

The lower section from Kornmarkt to Molkenkur was later modernized and today functions as a modern funicular. The upper section to Königstuhl, on the other hand, has been preserved in its almost original form from 1907 and is considered one of the oldest functioning cable cars in Germany. The wooden carriages with brass details and the Art Nouveau architecture of the stations provide an authentic experience of the early 20th century.

Today, the Bergbahnen Heidelberg is both a means of transport and a tourist attraction. The journey up to Königstuhl offers one of the most beautiful views of the city, the Neckar Valley and Heidelberg Castle.

Molkenkur

Molkenkur is a historic viewpoint and inn located halfway up the Königstuhl. The place became famous in the 19th century, when spas became fashionable and guests sought refreshment through drinking and whey treatments. The name Molkenkur comes from this tradition, where milk and whey were used as part of healing treatments.

The building, which now functions as a restaurant and excursion destination, has undergone several changes, but has retained its role as a recreational place. Molkenkur is located at the middle station of the mountain railway, making it easily accessible to both locals and tourists. The architectural style is simple, but harmoniously integrated into the scenic landscape. Today, Molkenkur is known for its magnificent terrace, which offers panoramic views of Heidelberg, the Neckar River and the surrounding Odenwald.

Königstuhl

At 568 meters above sea level, the Königstuhl is the highest point in Heidelberg and marks the city’s natural peak to the east. Already in the Middle Ages, the mountain was surrounded by legends, and the name, which means King’s Chair, is linked to the idea that rulers would meet here for council. The mountain also had strategic importance, as the high plateau provided a view of the Neckar Valley and the important trade routes that connected the Rhine Valley with the Odenwald.

The landscape of the Königstuhl is characterized by dense forests that were preserved and cultivated as part of the hunting grounds of the Electors. In the 19th century, the mountain became a favorite excursion destination for Heidelberg’s citizens and visitors, who sought fresh air and panoramic views of the city and the river. It was also here that Heidelberg established astronomical observatories for a period, as the high location provided excellent views of the night sky.

Today, the Königstuhl is a central recreational area with playgrounds, nature trails and viewpoints, making it attractive for families, hikers and tourists alike. You can reach the summit on foot via the steep Philosophenweg and other paths, but most people choose the mountain railway, which runs directly from Heidelberg’s old town to the summit. The railway is an attraction in itself.