Heidelberg

Everyone had told us that Heidelberg would be the highlight of our holiday and it certainly was worth the full day we spent there. We went into the Parkhaus at the Kornmarkt in the hope of parking and how fortunate we were that a car was just pulling out. With our car and the one that got in after us the Parkhaus was full. Our first view of the schloss (Heidelberg Castle) was when we emerged from down under.

The Church of the Holy Spirit is dominant in the Marktplatz.

I loved the variety of stained glass windows.

                                       Our first view of the gate to the Old Bridge

Heidelberg's Bridge Gate Monkey is a bronze sculpture by Professor Gernot Rumpf installed there in 1979. The Monkey holds a mirror up to those who look at it. According to one legend surrounding this statue, the Bridge's monkey is a symbolic reminder to Heidelberg's citizens that neither the city dwellers nor those who lived outside of it were better than the other and that they should look over their shoulder as they cross the bridge to remember this. There has been a bridge monkey in Heidelberg going back as far as the 15th century. It is believed that if you touched the fingers of the monkey it will ensure that you return to Heidelburg and if you touch the mirror it will ensure wealth. I didn't know this at the time so I touched neither. I did touch the mouse however and that is said to ensure fertility. At my age!!

On the bridge looking back!

Castle from the bridge

Locks on the bridge - they do that everywhere

From the bridge

Both above at the university

Baroque house

Robert Wilhem Bunsen

The Queen was in Germany this week and waved at us from this shop window!

Can't remember what church this was.

Of course an Irish Pub!

Loved these shops. Really focussed on Christmas and souvenirs!

A Jim burger!

The Jesuit Church was really beautiful - very white and very different. It is unusual to have such a bright church - they are usually such sombre places.

The Jesuit garden at the side of the church, though, small was really lovely. I loved the face sculpture.

This little altar was down in the darkness of the crypt.

Following lunch we took the funicular up to the castle. This red sandstone castle dominates the old town centre of Heidelberg. It is set against the deep green forests of Konigstuhl hill. Despite being a ruin it is a real tourist attraction. It was struck on two occasions by lightning and destroyed on the second occasion in 1764. It has also been ravaged by wars.

View over the Neckar

View of the Church of the Holy Spirit from the Castle

The castle has a wine cellar, which seemed to be the most popular spot of all, and a pharmaceutical museum.

The castle was advertised to have gardens but, in fact, you could call it a park rather than a garden as there were few flowers.

Back at river level we had noticed a really nice ice cream parlour among the myriads of eis cafes so we treated ourselves!

A final fountain and back to Walldorf.