University of Heidelberg Museum

One of the more interesting museums we encountered in Heidelberg was also one of the smallest; the University of Heidelberg Museum. Encompassing just three rooms on the ground floor of the “Old University Building” (constructed in 1712), the museum showcases the history of the university. Founded in 1386, this is the oldest surviving university in Germany. Following in sequence; the first room displays an overview of the university’s founding up through the end of the Holy Roman Empire (around 1806) and includes some of its original documents. Room two focuses on the university’s development during the 19th century. Exhibits about the Romanticism of Heidelberg are featured in this room, such as the creation of the “Philosopher’s Walk” ( a scenic walking path along the hill overlooking the far side of the Neckar River) and works from the famous “Circle of Heidelberg Poets” (e.g. Joseph Von Eichendorff, Clemens Brentano, Johann Von Gorres, and Ludwig Von Arrim). The third (and final ) room follows the university under the Weimer Republic, the Third Reich, and into the development of a democratic society in Germany.
On the floor above the museum is the university’s famous “Alte Aula” (“Great Hall”). First created in 1886, this Hall is where doctoral students would defend their dissertations. Today, the Hall is used for ceremonies, special lectures, and concerts.
Both this museum and the Student Prison (around the back of the museum and described in the previous posting) can be visited during the same day. As you go from the museum around the corner to the Student Prison, look for a plaque embedded in the pavement by the parking lot commemorating Martin Luther’s 1518 visit to the university in order to defend his “28 Theses,” which eventually led to the Protestant Reformation. These are the kind of attractions that we, as amateur history buffs, love to visit.

Just a short distance down the “Haupstrasse” (Main Street) from the Old Town’s marketplace, is the University of Heidelberg Museum. As part of the Old University Building on one edge of the main quadrangle, the museum chronicles the history of the university from its 1386 founding.

Greeting visitors in the lobby is this glass sculpture of a book. The Latin inscription at the top translates into “Always Open.”

Dedicated to its history, from the 1386 founding, up to the end of the Holy Roman Empire (circa 1806), the first room included some of the university’s original documents, including this one from Pope Urban VI in which he ordered the creation of Heidelberg’s oldest surviving university...

...and this early sketch of students attending a lecture.

Prince-Elector Ruprecht I was tasked by Pope Uban VI to oversee the creation and the construction of the University of Heidelberg.

From 1852 until 1889, Robert Bunsen (after whom the “Bunsen Burner” was named ) served as a professor of Chemistry at the university.

The “Great Hall” on the floor above the museum was used by doctoral candidates to defend their theses. Now, it is primarily used for special lectures, concerts, and ceremonies.

Elegantly decorated, we almost felt we were inside one of the ornate churches of Europe rather than a university hall.

In 1983, the university installed this plaque to commemorate the 1518 visit of Martin Luther (during which he defended his “28 Theses,” This plaque is embedded in the pavement next to a parking lot between the “Old University Building” (housing the University of Heidelberg Museum ) and the Student Prison.