Situated high above the River Neckar, Heidelberg Castle is one of Germany’s most romantic locations. It has had a long and turbulent history since it was first constructed in the early 15th century as a residence for the Palatine princes, the powerful secular rulers who presided over this part of southern Germany during the Holy Roman Empire. The construction lasted over 400 years and consists of ramparts, outbuildings and palaces in all styles from Gothic to High Renaissance. The two dominant buildings at the eastern and northern side of the courtyard were erected the 16th century. Today, they are considered to be two of the most important buildings in German architectural history.

Prince Elector Philip (1476 – 1508) is said to have arranged the transfer of the hall’s columns from a decayed palace of Charlemagne to Heidelberg. Lightning struck the Castle in 1764. In the centuries that followed, the Castle was misused as a quarry – castle stones helped to build new houses in Heidelberg. This was stopped in 1800 by Count Charles de Graimberg who made any effort he could to preserve the Heidelberg Castle. In spite of its Gothic interior, it was not before 1934, that the King’s Hall was added.

That part of the castle shows you the ruins. It’s just opposite of the ticket office in case that you didn’t climb up the steep path. It strikes the eye at once that the castle did not arise from any uniform constructional plan, and that there is no common building line nor any unifying building style. To the west and the south the dominant element is the very plain Gothic structures. To the north ant the east it is the sumptuous and massive stone walls of the magnificent Renaissance palace and massive stone walls of the magnificent Renaissance palace with its rich decoration of sculptured figures.

The garden was filled with herbs and vegetables, as well as beautiful trees, among them some very rare ones. Most of them survived until now, and make the garden a beautiful place to walk around in some shade nowadays, to admire the view to the castle and the city and have some picnic on the benches. Don’t miss to walk up to the upper terrace and get inside the big grottos – they have been beautifully styled inside, with a little fountain as well.