Heidelberg & Mannheim Germany

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A few weeks ago we had the opportunity to visit the cities of Heidelberg and Mannheim Germany. Although very much a tourist town, Heidelberg is still worth a visit. Founded in the mid 1200s, there were people living in the area even as far back as 766 A.D. Heidelberg is located on the Burgenstrasse (Castle Road), a 1000 Km (621 mile) road that stretches from nearby Mannheim to Prague, Czech Republic. Heidelberg boasts the first university in Germany founded in 1386. In fact, even today approximately 1 in 5 of the population is a student.

The Heidelberg (schloss) castle was built over 800 years ago and during that time has been sacked and burned three times. The picturesque ruins, laid out majestically along the Neckar river valley, is one of Heidelberg’s most popular attraction nestled just above the town overlooking the Alte Brucke Bridge. The cellar of the castle contains the famous Heidelberg Tun, A wine vat with a capacity of 220,017 liters (58,124 gallons). This wine barrel, unfortunately now empty, is considered to be the largest barrel in the world. The barrel was constructed in 1751 from 130 oak tree trunks; it is 8.5 meters (almost 9 ½ yds) across and 7 meters (7 ½ yds) high with a dance floor on top.

Traveling throughout Germany I find it interesting visiting the sites of the Jewish synagogues. In a number of cities that I have visited in Germany I have found that the synagogues were destroyed on Kristallnacht (9-10 November 1938). The memorials of these synagogues in each city are very similar to the one pictured here, an outline of the synagogue and plain stone benches.

Heidelberg was declared an open city during World War II and was spared the devastating bombing by allied forces. It is not a reconstructed town; this town is authentic.

About a half hour north of Heidelberg lies the city of Mannheim. Although there are a couple large Army posts in Heidelberg, none of the posts had a military exchange gas station. Rather than pay approximately $6.80 a gallon for gas in Heidelberg we decided to drive to Mannheim which has a military exchange gas station where the gas was $2.65 vice the $6.80 in Heidelberg. Although we did not spent a lot of time in Mannheim we did come across this beautiful park with a huge water tower. What is interesting about this place is that this water tower and park are situated above a huge underground parking facility. The Wasserturm, as the water tower is called, sits among a beautiful park with dancing water fountains, sculptured statutes and beautiful flower gardens and magnificent ivy covered walkways. It was a warm and sunny day and families and couples were having a wonderful time as hopefully these pictures convey.

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Photos

View of Heidelberg from the Castle
Heidelberg is situated on the banks of the river Neckar and is another one of Germany's beautiful towns. In 1386, Germany's first university was established here and even today Heidelberg is still known as a university town.

Heidelberg Castle
Tucked back in the hills above Heidelberg, the castle is very impressive as viewed from across the Neckar River with the Alte Brucke Bridge in the foreground.

A Bronze Cat Protecting the Entrance to the Karl-Theodor-Brucke or The Alte Brucke Over the Neckar River, Heidelberg, Germany
A Bronze Cat Protecting the Entrance to the Karl-Theodor-Brucke or The Alte Brucke Over the Neckar River, Heidelberg, Germany. I have no idea what that is the cat is holding!

Another View of the Castle
Notice the airy interior! The castle has been burned three times since it was originally built over 800 years ago.

The Bottom Half of the World's Largest Barrel
A twenty-foot tall barrel with a capacity of about 100,000-liters (about 58,124 gallons). Stef, our daughter visiting from the states, with her hand raised is indicating only about a quarter of the barrel height.

The Top Half of the World's Largest Barrel
It was too big to fit into one picture!

Heidelberg Pub
This building really grab my attention. It's something I could easily see being in Hong Kong or Singapore but Heidelberg, Germany?

Street Cafe
What I really find enjoyable are the street cafes and unlike Paris they do not charge extra for sitting outrside

Memorial: Jewish Synagogue
This was the site of the Jewish synagogue built in 1878 and destroyed on Kristallnacht (9-10 November 1938),burned down by the nazi ss.

Heidelberg Street Scene
Heidelberg, like many other German cities, has people only (no cars) areas for shopping.

Wasserturm - Mannheim
This water tower and park sit atop a huge underground parking facility.

Dancing Water Fountains
The dancing waters of the fountains constantly change giving the families and couples a wonderful place to relax.

Children Playing at the End of the Rainbow
I noticed these children playing and it wasn't until after I took the shot that I noticed the rainbow.

Just Hanging on a Warm Sunny Day
It was the perfect day to just kick back and relax.

Comments

[Ernesto Carmona]

Germany
I read and saw your pictures of Mannheim and Heidelberg I enjoyed them and showed them to my wife. I was stationed in Mannheim 1988-1992 and it brings back memories and history that I had forgotten my wife has never been to Germany but from the pictures she wants to go and visit maybe one of this days we can return the favor of memories to you and your family. Thanks again

[anonymous]

The cat is holding a tambourine