Height: 114 m above sea level. NN
Surface area: 108.83 m2

Population: 146,751 (9 May 2011)

Heidelberg was founded in the 12th century. Heidelberg’s history dates back to the Celtic and Roman periods. From the 13th century to 1720, Heidelberg was the residence of the Pfalzgrafen near Rhine and capital of the Kurpfalz. As a result of the Palatinate succession of succession, Heidelberg was twice conquered and destroyed by French troops. These burned both the castle and the city on March 2, 1689. The Heidelberger Schlossbeleuchtung takes place three times a year. The sacrifice is to be thought of with an impressive fireworks display. The fire survived only the house “Hotel zum Ritter”.

The Heidelberg Castle is one of the most famous ruins in Germany. After the destruction, the castle was only partly restored. Another fire, triggered by a lightning strike in 1764, sealed the lot of the newly renovated castle. It was abandoned, and the building material was used for the Schwetzingen castle and the houses of the Heidelberg citizens.

Heidelberg is one of the few major German cities that has not been destroyed in the Second World War. After the demolitions 1689 and 1693 the old town in the baroque style was rebuilt on the medieval ground plan. With a length of 1.6 km, the pedestrian zone, which runs through the entire old town, is one of the longest in Europe.

In 1386 the oldest university in Heidelberg was founded in Heidelberg, and the third was founded in Paris and Prague, the Ruprecht-Karls-University of Heidelberg.

We would like to invite you to get to know our city of Heidelberg. Wander through Heidelberg and be inspired for the next day trip, the next weekend or even for the next year’s holiday.

Homepage: www.heidelberg.de