The University
by Polly74
On June 24, 1712, the university's chancellor Prof. Dr. Melchior Kirchner laid the foundation-stone for the "Old University", as the building is called today. The architect was Johann Adam Breunig of Mainz. The "Alte Aula" (Old Assembly Hall) built by the architect Josef Durm was added in 1885 shortly before the university's 500th anniversary. The artist Ferdinand Keller created the painting of the front wall, depicting the arrival of the Greek goddess of wisdom, Pallas Athene, in Heidelberg. Bronze figures on the right and left symbolize the call and genius of science. The ceiling holds paintings depicting the four university faculties, i.e. philosophy, medicine, law and theology. Another object of interest is to be found at the University Square in front of the building: The "Löwenbrunnen", as this fountain is called, is crowned by a lion symbolizing the power of the Palatinate. Adress Grabengasse 3
Web: www.uni-heidelberg.de
Heidelberg Tip
by wiegandg
Parc of Schwetzingen
City of Schwetzingen is located 10 km from Heidelberg, easily to reach by train or bus. It´s famous for the parc, asparragus in spring (good restaurants) and for the classical music festival
from April - June each year. There are also classic
concerts and operas the whole year,
just look at: www.schwetzingen.de
nightlife: Plenty of Cafes in friont of the castle-
Kaffehaus, Cafe Journal, Citrus, blaues Loch
Modern Fountain in Kornmarkt
by Audrey118
The modern fountain in the middle of the square is dedicated to well known humanist, cosmographer and Hebraist Sebastion Munster who created a wood cut showing
a view of Heidelberg in the 16th century.
The fountain consists of planes and arches symbolises the planets and a large globe is the earth which is so huge signifies man attachment to it.
THE CHRISTMAS MARKET: German tradition at its best
by JessH
Christmas is one of those topics that make me exceptionally happy & even a bit "snobby" about being German: We do the best Christmas in the world!!! It's about family & friends, traditions & togetherness, and they are not a mere expression of the customary rampant commercialism. Don't believe me? Come & see for yourself! You simply haven't "lived" Christmas until you've been to a German Xmas market!
The annual "Weihnachtsmarkt" takes place in the old town. This year's dates are: 24th Nov - 22nd Dec 2010.
We really enjoy the smell of freshly roasting Maroni (chestnuts), laughing children on the historic merry-go-round, the sizzling of Bratwurst (1/2 metre long sausage!) on the grills, and of course the steaming pots full of gorgeous Gluehwein (mulled wine).
NOTE: a mulled wine costs 2,40- You can either bring the cup back & receive 20 cent "Pfand" back, or keep the cup as a souvenir :-)
Daily from 11:00am to 09:00pm the following are THE places for pre-Xmas joy:
> Universitaetsplatz = University Square:
Over 80 stands selling food, crafts, live displays of glass blowing, etc. plus the century-old merry-go-round with organ music. This is the main Xmas area.
> Kornnmarkt (Madonna statue):
Live wood carving, basket weaving and jewellery demonstrations. Here you'll also find a small barn with donkeys & sheep for the kids to see & snuggle (poor freezing hooves!)
> Marktplatz, around the Herkulesbrunnen (fountain):
More wooden stalls with food, drink and entertainmetn. This is where you will find the large Heidelberg Xmas-Pyramide, spinning slowly in circles and containing figures from the city's legends & history, such as the Homo Heidelbergensis, Kurfürst Friedrich V. and Elisabeth Stuart, Liselotte of the Pfalz, Robert Bunsen, the "Student Prince" and of course wine-loving Perkeo. Here you will also find Santa's Grotto for the kids.
> CHRISTMAS ON ICE!
From 24.11.2010 - 09.01.2011 you can enjoy the open-air ice skating rink (rental available).
Heidelberg's flair, remaining from the 70s...
by JessH
Of course the main street through Heidelberg's old town is the city's main attraction and is crammed full with shops, restaurants, cafes and street vendors. But if you need a little break and are open for some alternative & unusual things, take a step aside and walk down to the Heumarkt / Untere Strasse.
Here, there aren't any crowds. There is more shade & relief from the summer's heat and in winter you don't have to dodge so many people on slippery ice; it is quieter and there are some real hidden gems that you wouldn't find amongst the "tourist hot spots":
WELL, now that you're here:
> Enjoy some lunch or refreshments at a smaller, older and more personal cafe / deli.
> Discover some of Heidelberg's "Hippie Shops" where you can find anything from Indian Incense, to Thai silk, African furniture, fantastic alternative music and so much more.
> You'll also come across small bookstores and old, family-run confectionaries.
> There is also a lady with a lovely shop selling healing crystals, spiritual books, etc. and she also offers personal life coaching sessions, meditations, etc. I really like her and always stop-by and say "hello" when I'm in town. (her shop is right next to the fountain statue, see picture)
It's amazing how close this little gem of a street is to all of the hustle & bustle of the old town, yet the local residents aren't much disturbed by all of that craziness because hardly any of the "people traffic" ever filters down here. To me, these little streets are the "essence" of Heidelberg's spirit.
--> How to get here?
This is very close to the University Platz (between the Hauptstrasse and the Old Bridge / Neckar River) If you are walking on the Hauptstrasse towards the Kornmarket & Church, turn left when you see the shop "Belobene" & "Starbucks" (Now, listen to me: walk straight PAST Starbucks and have a coffee in one of the nearby family-owned cafes!)
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2. Or like this, with lots of little drawers
Gatehouse, Heidelberg Castle
Honey wine bottles
Hidden behind stone walls.....
