Heidelberg

Heidelberg is best known for its university. Heidelberg University was founded in 1386 and is the oldest and one of the most prestigious in Germany. Here studied such famous people as Dmitriy Mendeleev, Max Born, Paul Josef Goebbels, Max Weber, Helmut Kohl.

Tourists come to Heidelberg to see the old city. It's not in the center and is located on the banks of the Neckar river on the outskirts. Here is the castle on the hill (1294), the main residence of the Electors of the Palatinate until the end of the 17th century. In 1693, the castle was turned into ruins by armies of Louis XIV. Reconstruction was carried out only in 1897-1900. The reconstruction still continues, you can see that on the photos. Every year 1.3 million tourists visit the castle and it shares the first place as the most visited castle in Germany with Neuschwanstein. In the basement is the world's largest wine barrel. You can reach the castle by a cable car from the old city.

The old city left mixed feelings. We specifically came in the evening to take pictures of the city at sunset. Therefore, we first went to the other side of the river and walked there, it was wonderful. But after we crossed the old bridge and went into the old city, we saw that it was full of tourists. Nowhere else in Germany have we seen so many people on the narrow streets. Therefore, come here either on weekdays or in the morning on weekends. The old city is beautiful, it's not surprising that it's so crowded.

Google maps of Heidelberg have the side view mode, you just need to zoom in.

There's an interesting sculpture near the old bridge. Everyone who takes pictures inside the mask thinks that it's a cat. Futhermore, mice are "sitting" nearby. But in fact it's a baboon that holds the mirror in its paw: a symbol of vanity.

Getting there: By regional train from Stuttgart and Karlsruhe. You can come from other major cities located nearby, such as Frankfurt, Kaiserslautern, Saarbrücken, but they are located in other lands and the trip will cost more.