Throughout all of our travels during the past four-plus years, palaces and castles have proven to be some of our favorite stops. The Heidelberg Castle, considered among the most important Renaissance structures north of the alps, ranks near the top of the castles we’ve visited.
The earliest castle-like structure to be constructed on the northern slopes of the Konigstuhle hill dated back to the early 1200’s, and was built for Louis I, Duke of Bavaria. By the end of that century, it had expanded to two castles. When Ruprecht became King of Germany in 1401, he felt the lower castle was too small for his court. While the castle was being enlarged, he went to reside in the Augustinian monastery. Later (1537), a lightening storm destroyed the upper castle.
In 1622, during the Thirty Years War, the commander of the
Holy Roman Empire’s troops, General Tilly, captured Heidelberg and the castle. Eleven years later, Swedish troops did the
same. By 1635, Bavarian troops had recaptured the castle. It was once again captured in 1688, this time by French troops, who eventually set fire to the castle after blowing up the “Fat Tower.” Two years later, Johann Wilhelm rebuilt much of what had been destroyed. Unfortunately, French Troops once again captured the castle in 1695 and blew it up. Over the following decades, much of the castle’s stonework was quarried for the construction of other buildings, while only basic repairs were made to the castle itself.
By the early 1800’s, French Count Charles de Graimberg, while living in the ruins, took it upon himself to preserve what remained of the castle.
While plans were developed in 1883 to try to rebuild the castle, it was determined that a complete restoration was not possible.
Heidelberg Castle’s reputation spread beyond Europe through the 20th and 21st centuries, to the point that now more three million visitors come to the castle annually. We felt somewhat disappointed that funds were not available to restore the castle to its former glory. It is such a grand structure, even in ruins.
The earliest castle-like structure to be constructed on the northern slopes of the Konigstuhle hill dated back to the early 1200’s, and was built for Louis I, Duke of Bavaria. By the end of that century, it had expanded to two castles. When Ruprecht became King of Germany in 1401, he felt the lower castle was too small for his court. While the castle was being enlarged, he went to reside in the Augustinian monastery. Later (1537), a lightening storm destroyed the upper castle.
In 1622, during the Thirty Years War, the commander of the
Holy Roman Empire’s troops, General Tilly, captured Heidelberg and the castle. Eleven years later, Swedish troops did the
same. By 1635, Bavarian troops had recaptured the castle. It was once again captured in 1688, this time by French troops, who eventually set fire to the castle after blowing up the “Fat Tower.” Two years later, Johann Wilhelm rebuilt much of what had been destroyed. Unfortunately, French Troops once again captured the castle in 1695 and blew it up. Over the following decades, much of the castle’s stonework was quarried for the construction of other buildings, while only basic repairs were made to the castle itself.
By the early 1800’s, French Count Charles de Graimberg, while living in the ruins, took it upon himself to preserve what remained of the castle.
While plans were developed in 1883 to try to rebuild the castle, it was determined that a complete restoration was not possible.
Heidelberg Castle’s reputation spread beyond Europe through the 20th and 21st centuries, to the point that now more three million visitors come to the castle annually. We felt somewhat disappointed that funds were not available to restore the castle to its former glory. It is such a grand structure, even in ruins.
Viewed from the far side of the Neckar River, Heidelberg’s Castle seems impressive.
In order to get up to the castle, visitors choose between a 260 foot winding pathway, or taking this funicular railway.
Friedrich V, in a single night during 1615, had the Elizabeth gate built as a surprise for his wife Elizabeth Stuart. It is located in the forecourt of the castle, between the main gate and the castle gate.
Looking like it could hold half the modern city of Heidelberg, the main courtyard was immense...
...and we almost felt swallowed up by it.
Speaking of swallowing, the world’s largest wine cask (known as the Heidelberg Tun) is here within the castle. Measuring nearly 23 feet tall and 28 feet wide, this barrel holds over 58,000 gallons of wine.
Trying to take a selfie that included the whole barrel (while avoiding the glare of the overhead lights) was a challenge (at which I failed).
During the French occupation of the castle late in the 17th century, troops blew up the “Fat Tower.”
As a city unto itself, the castle included its own apothecary (along the right side of the courtyard).Now set up as a museum, it traces the history of German pharmaceuticals.
Friedrich V commissioned the construction of ornate gardens (between 1616 and 1619) as a gift for his new wife - Elizabeth Stuart (daughter of King James I of England). At the time, the gardens were considered to be the “Eighth Wonder of the World” and “Germany’s greatest Renaissance garden.”
Among the few preserved spaces of the castle is this ornate chapel...
...and this grand hallway.
Three times each year, Heidelberg recreates (with flickering lights and fireworks) the burning of the castle by French troops in 1688.
It was a truly fantastic event...
...and one we had only learned of earlier that same day. It is amazing how many times during our travels, happenstance has provided us with surprising experiences.
RSS Feed
