What to Do in Heidelberg, Germany (with Viking Cruises)
Rich with history, Heidelberg is home to Germany’s oldest university, the ruins of a romantic Renaissance castle, and the world’s largest wine barrel. Intrigued? Come along to explore the romance, education and debauchery of Heidelberg with Viking River Cruises.
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Heidelberg Castle
Heidelberg Castle, with its impressive red sandstone buildings and stately position above the River Neckar, evokes romantic images of the days of princesses like Cinderella and Sleeping Beauty. Once inhabited by kings and counts (or palatines), the castle remains one of the grandest palaces of the Renaissance period.
The castle, which is made up of several buildings with a central courtyard, began construction in the 1200s. Of course, the true history of Heidelberg Castle is much more gruesome than fairy tales would have us believe. Damaged in multiple attacks and wars over centuries, the castle fell into ruin in the 17th century. Restoration began in the 20th century. Today, it provides the city’s primary draw for tourists – one million per year, in fact.
A pair of angels sits above the archway to a building called “Ruprecht’s Palace,” named for a German king who resided here in the 1400s. It is rumored that the master builder had the sculpture made to memorialize his twin sons, who died while playing on the site while their father oversaw the construction of an addition to the castle.
The world’s largest wine barrel
Thirsty? Heidelberg Castle is home to the world’s largest wine barrel, the Great Heidelberg Tun. Our Viking River Cruises tour guide explained that this barrel was used as a symbol of wealth and debauchery when it was first constructed in the 1700s. Legend says it took 130 oak trees to create the barrel. The vat could hold over 50 million gallons of wine. Alas, it is empty.
Germany’s oldest university
The oldest university in Germany, Heidelberg University (also known as Ruperto Carola), was established in 1386. Although there was no time to visit the university during our Rhine Getaway Viking River Cruise, our tour guide hailed from the university and regaled us with stories about his alma mater.
Incarceration in the university’s Student Prison was seen as a status symbol among its young male students, from 1712 to 1914. Drunkenness, disturbing the peace, brawls, and other lurid behavior could land students in the prison. The rowdy students proudly sported scars hard “won” in duels.
Prisoners were allowed to attend classes via a special prison door and even indulge in alcoholic beverages during their sentences, which lasted anywhere from a few days to four weeks. These student prisoners decorated the cell walls with graffiti galore, which has been preserved for tourist viewing.
Today, a more gentrified atmosphere has been restored, with 30,000 students currently in attendance. But, our student tour guide said there are still some students who scar their faces in keeping with the university’s wild past.
Heidelberg’s Old Town
Beneath Heidelberg Castle lays Old Heidelberg, or Altstadt, a mile-long stretch of shops, restaurants and market squares. A fountain of Hercules (representing the strength of the town’s citizens) sits in the center of the central Marktplatz, which is surrounded by outdoor cafes, and flanked by the Church of the Holy Spirit on one side. This is the kind of town where locals sit at cafe tables sipping beer well before noon. After our castle tour, we joined them for a couple of lagers and regional fare.
Souvenir shops and carts abound in the Marktplatz. Pop into the Lindt Boutique for a sweet pick-me-up. Although Lindt is a Swiss company, I purchased a chocolate memento shaped like the Frog Prince, a character from the German Brothers Grimm fairy tales. My husband and I found a cart peddling Heidelberg post cards on which we could have our photo printed. Cheesy and touristy? Yes. Fun? Absolutely!
Would you like to visit Heidelberg with Viking River Cruises? Let us know in the comments below!
A Note from The Travel Mama: Our cruise and optional excursion was hosted by Viking River Cruises. All opinions are mine, as always.
