Heidelberg, The Oldest University In Germany

The city of Heidelberg is an interesting destination throughout the year. To begin with because its climate, although cold, is less harsh than in other areas of Germany, and especially its spring and summer are very pleasant. In addition, Heidelberg is a very lively city, since it is the university city par excellence in the country, since the oldest German university has been in operation for centuries.

The old university of Heidelberg

The university of this city was founded in the 14th century, specifically in 1386, which makes it older than other important university centers located in this same region of Baden-Württemberg, such as Freiburg im Breisgau or Tübingen. .

Today the historic building is still preserved in the center of the town, at the Universitatplatz, where you can also visit the oldest library in the country, which has miraculously withstood the passing of the centuries, since nothing more and nothing was created. less than in 1421.

But if a university library is common, it is much less common to find a student jail. You are right. In Heidelberg, the prison in which students who caused altercations were held is preserved, since they were people who were under the strict jurisdiction of the university, something that was maintained until 1914.

Heidelberg’s old town

The university is one of the main protagonists of the walk through the historic center of Heidelberg. But there are many other points of interest and all of them have very easy access, as almost all the historic streets are pedestrianized. In addition, they are almost always adorned with flowers, so strolling through places like the Hauptstrasse, its most commercial street, on the way to the Marktplatz or the Market Square is a real delight.

In addition, during this pleasant walk, the different baroque palaces that exist in the city are emerging, or its most emblematic churches such as those of the Holy Spirit, that of the Jesuits or the oldest of them all, that of San Pedro.

Heidelberg on the banks of the Neckar river

Thus, without realizing it, we can reach the main city artery, the Neckar River, in whose valley the city is located. There is evidence that a bridge was built to join the two banks of its riverbed in Roman times, when the imperial legions settled in Germania. However, today the bridge of Charles Theodor (Carl Theodor Brücke) is known as the old bridge, which bears the name of the emperor who ordered it to be built in the 18th century.

To contemplate this exemplary symbiosis between the city and its river, the best thing is to ascend to the other great jewel of Heidelberg’s heritage: its castle. A fortress that can be reached on foot or by cable car.

Some have called it the most romantic castle in Germany and indeed it inspired poets and writers. Although much of it is in ruins after the French dynamited it, some of its rooms can still be visited. In one of them we find Gran Tonel, an immense barrel that holds no less than 22,000 liters of wine. By the way, it is empty.

From the castle, in addition, a spectacular panoramic view of the city and the river is contemplated. And looking towards the hills in front you can almost make out the Path of the Philosophers, a bucolic path through a dense forest that invites reflection.

Have a drink in Heidelberg

Taking advantage of the two ways to get to the castle, we recommend that you ascend comfortably in the cable car and descend with a good walk to the Marstall area, a space that was once an old harness, but which is now the place of concentration of numerous bars where take something.

Another ideal place to drink or eat can be the Karlplatz. This square is a good place to understand what Mark Twain wrote about this beautiful German city. Since the great American writer was here, and not only that, but he was inspired by Heidelberg to write his work A Tramp Abroad .