Although we did not dock in Heidelberg, this is the highlight of our trip today -- a 45-minute drive from our dock in Ludwigshafen. The latter city is known for the headquarters of BASF, a German chemical company and the largest chemical producer in the world. Our boat was docked near its facility and it is massive.
We began with another leisurely morning before docking and started our tour at 1 pm.
Heidelberg is known for two major things -- (1) huge ruins of a Renaissance castle built and destroyed over centuries and (2) the oldest university in Germany, beginning in 1386.
The first thing we saw were the beautiful homes along the Neckar River which once belonged to the university professors. Don't think that is true anymore.
Secondly are the castle ruins looming over the city.
I've sent plenty of castle ruins, but this one is spectacular. Not only are parts well preserved, but it represents additions from different eras. And the castle sits on a hill 300 ft. high overlooking the city and the Neckar River. We had a gorgeous day and caught great photos from the castle to the city.
I am posting photos of all the ruins we explored with the commentary following. I think that gives a better sense of the scope of the structures.
The Friedrichsbau (above) is the only part restored and you can go inside but our tour did not include that.
The earliest castle structure was built before 1214. However, it was not until 1400 that it was documented. It was built and expanded over three centuries in different styles (Gothic and Renaissance). The primary building occurred from 1400-1600, interrupted by a lightening bolt in 1537. The primary residents were the Counts of Palatine, a region in the Holy Roman Empire. However, 1600s marked the end of the construction period and the castle was destroyed twice by the French. In 1764 construction began again, but two lightening strikes caused major fires. Afterwards, the palace decayed and locals used the ruin site as a source of building materials.
Around 1800 the ruins became the object of Romantic enthusiasm and by the end of that century, it was preserved and became a tourist attraction.
From the castle we took a funicular down to the city for a short tour.
We visited the town square (with a view of the castle)
and the market square, which is dominated by the Church of the Holy Spirit (once shared by both Protestant and Catholics) built during the 1400s.
Our guide pointed out a house (on the right) that had been inhabited in the 1930s by Jews who were taken by the Nazis. Today markers called "stumbling blocks" are being placed in front of these homes to memorialize the families who were victims.
We were then given free time to explore the city. Ed and I took photos from the Old Bridge looking back on the castle.
We stopped by Cafe Knosel, which is famous for developing a candy called the "Student Kiss," which could be given by young men to women whom they fancied when the sexes were not encouraged to meet. Women were admitted to the university in 1899.
Then we walked the pedestrian street Hauptstrasse, one of the longest shopping streets in Germany, which had an array of fine boutiques. We saw the famous Hotel Ritter, built in 1592.
But the highlight of the street is an incredible Christmas shop named Kathë Wohlfahrt.
Once you enter, you are locked in and have to go though the store to get out. Certainly worth seeing, but I didn't need to buy anything.
We got back to the boat at 6 and dinner at 7:30. Afterwards it was "disco night" with recorded music. We passed as did most guests. The evening entertainment on this cruise line leaves much to be desired.
No comments:
Post a Comment