Alte Universitat (Old University)
Behind the Old University building is the Studentenkarzer where students were imprisoned for Kavaliersdelikte (minor transgressions) from 1778 to 1914. We were not able to go inside on this visit, but apparently the cell walls are still covered with graffiti from the prisoners of the past.
Studentenkarzer (Students' Prison)
View from a side street
If you recall our first visit here (or look back to that blog post), we took a picture of the Heidelberg Schloss (castle) from the opposite side of the Neckar River. Here you can see the same structure within walking distance.
We opted to make the 10 minute hike up a steep incline of very rough cobblestone to reach the castle. From the angle of the next picture, you can get a better idea of the incline.
Here is a view of the Neckar Valley halfway through our walk.
Evidence of damage to the castle during the Thirty Years War and again in the 17th century by invading French troops. These 14th-century towers once formed part of the castle defences.
Although this castle is considered to be ruins, it was quite different from the other castle ruins we've seen thus far. Heidelberg Schloss was built as a residential complex and repeatedly extended between the 13th and 17th centuries. So although it began as a well-fortified Gothic castle, 16th century remodeling produced what is now considered one of Germany's most beautiful Renaissance residences. Upon entering the castle gates, it is not hard to imagine this place being a fully functional palace bustling with life.
Courtyard
One of the latest parts of castle, Friedrich's Palace dates from 1601-07 and has statues on the outside of the Wittelsbach dynasty, including Charles the Great.
Friedrichsbau (Friedrich's Palace),
Inside Ottheinrichsbau is the Deutsches Apothekenmuseum (German Pharmacy Museum).
Ottheinrichsbau (Ottheinrich's Palace)
Old Pharmacy Workshops
Older parts of the castle
Castle Gardens (Matt's shadow in the lower left-hand corner)
Sandstone sculpture of a resting 'Father Rhine' (representing the Rhine River in Germany)
Castle Wall
Sheep
View of the city
Happy Couple
After decending the hill from the castle, we walked to the entrance of the Alte Brucke, or Karl-Theodor-Brucke (the old bridge with nine arches that you can see in the above picture of the Neckar river). While this bridge gate dates back to the Middle Ages, the current bridge was built in the 1700's to replace eight earlier wooden bridges that were destroyed by floods, ice, and fire and is considered one of the most beautiful in the world.
This bronze sculpture of a monkey (that's bronze monkey, unfortunately not brass monkey) is a reproduction of a stone sculpture that was on the bridge centuries ago but was stolen during one of the wars. The monkey is holding a mirror and apparently an inscription by the sculpture says "Why are you looking at me? Haven't you seen the monkey in Heidelberg? Look around and your will probably see, more monkeys just like me." Some say this is probably a reference to the many visitors that can be found in Heidelberg from all over the world (monkeys), and a warning not to "stare" at those other monkeys that are just like you.
Lastly, we enjoyed our first Sushi dinner here in Germany- it was very good!
We look forward to bringing our visitors to Heidelberg! Love you and miss you all~ Ashley and Matt
