Hotels in Heidelberg

Height:114 meters above sea-level.

Area: 108,83 square kilometers

Inhabitants: 145 642 (Dec 31^st, 2008)

Heidelberg was founded in the 12^th century. But the history of the town dates far back to Celtic and Roman times. From the 13^th century up to 1720 Heidelberg was residence of the Count Palatine of Rhine and capital of Count-Palatinate. Because of the Palatinatial war of succession Heidelberg got twice conquered by French troops. They set fire to the castle and the town on March 2^nd, 1689. Three times a year the Heidelberg Castle Illumination takes place. Impressive fireworks remind of the victims in former times. Only one house survived the flames, the house “Knight St. George”.

The Heidelberg Castle is one of the most famous ruins in Germany. After the destruction the castle was restored only in parts. Another fire caused by the struck of a lightning in 1764 ended it’s history. It was given up and the building materials were used for the Schwetzingen Castle and the houses of Heidelberg citizens.

Heidelberg is one of the very few German towns that was not destroyed during the 2^nd World War. After the destructions in 1689 and 1693 the old part of the town was rebuild in baroque style on the outline. The pedestrian zone which leads through the entire old part of town is 1.6 kilometers long, one of the longest in Europe.

In 1386 the Ruprecht-Karl-University was founded. It is the oldest university in contemporary Germany and after Paris and Prague the 3^rd eldest in Europe.

We invite you to become acquainted with Heidelberg. Walk through the town and get inspired to arrange the next day trip, the next week end or even the next annual holiday.

Homepage: www.heidelberg.de