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Look Back to the Middle Ages in the Hall of Mirrors at Heidelberg Castle

Published by Camilla Cheung, Writer

Country: Germany

The Experience

A visit to Heidelberg, Germany, is a visit back in time to a medieval world where knights and castles were commonplace, and monks were busy brewing beer in their monasteries. The towering red sandstone castle of Heidelberg towers at the top of a hill in the centre of Heidelberg, presiding over the cobblestone streets, historic houses, and Old World charm of the lively university town.

With the River Neckar meandering by the town, pleasure boats and ancient bridges, hills covered in greenery, and a lively downtown core filled with quaint shops and cafes covered in ivy, Heidelberg would be an idyllic place to visit, even without the castle. However, Heidelberg Castle (Heidelberg Schloss) is the city's crown and joy.

The five-hundred-year-old structure comprises construction from the Middle Ages as well as from the eighteenth century. As you enter the imposing stone building, guides will point out the difference in construction style. You can tour the restored rooms of the 17th-century palace with its Hall of Mirrors and other impressive splendors. Once you enter the main courtyard in the centre of Heidelberg Castle, a new host of sights greets the eye. You can rest here with a coffee or ice cream, or explore the fascinating historic apothecary shop: a memorable museum housed within some of Heidelberg Castle’s old stone rooms. From the walls of Heidelberg Castle, towering three hundred feet over the city, you can get one of the best views of Heidelberg's old town and the River Neckar—a sight not to be missed.

If you visit Heidelberg Castle, don't leave without making a visit to the wine cellars. You can of course sample some of the delicious local wines, but the real attraction here is the Heidelberg Tun: an enormous wine barrel that has a capacity of 58,100 gallons and is made of the wood of 130 oak trees. Although it is no longer used to store wine, the Heidelberg Tun is a famous historical tourist attraction, and was even mentioned in the works of Mark Twain, Jules Verne, and Victor Hugo. This enormous vat of wine was connected by pumps to the main banqueting hall to provide guests with ample refreshment.

If you have time before you leave, a stroll in the Heidelberg Castle gardens is an excellent idea. The Heidelberg gardens were renowned in their day, and although they have not yet been restored to their original splendor, they are still beautiful in their own right. Calm grassy lawns, stone benches, and ivy-covered walls share space with Heidelberg Schloss’ ruined towers and stone fountains. It is a lovely, quiet place to relax before heading back to town.

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Map

Puzzle

When to Go to Heidelberg Castle

The walk up to Heidelberg Castle is a bit of a hike, although it is quite a beautiful one through forested hills and up stone steps. If you would rather take it easy, you can take a cable car up to the top.

Summer is undoubtedly the best time to visit the gardens, and there are often seasonal exhibits in the castle courtyard during the warmer months. Some parts of Heidelberg Castle, such as the Hall of Mirrors, are only available by separate guided tour, and there are English speaking tours of the entire castle, which illuminate interesting parts of Heidelberg Schloss’ history.

There is a pastry and coffee shop in the castle, although you will find a much better selection for restaurants down in Heidelberg Town.

Odds n' Ends

Admission to Heidelberg Castle is very affordable at just a few euros per person, and less for children. This includes a visit to the Heidelberg Tun and to the Apothecary Museum. The tour of the restored palace charges separate admission.

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Books and DVDs

Wanderings Through the Ruins of Heidelberg Castle and Its Environs
Heidelberg Travel Guide [Kindle Edition]

Elsewhere on the Web

Heidelberg Castle resource website
History, tours, and more.
Resource for Heidelberg town
Sights, activities, accommodation and restaurants.

Language Guides

Hindi , Italian , Japanese , Portugese , Russian , Spanish , Turkish , Vietnamese are some of the languages spoken in Germany. If you know of a freely available phrase book or podcast for one of the missing languages, let us know!

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