Showing 1-18 of 18 results
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Alte Aula
A ticket to the Studentenkarzer gets you into the Alte Aula and an exhibition on the university's history, inside the Alte Universität.
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Botanischer Garten der Universität
The university's largest campus area is on the north side of the Neckar. This is where you'll find the Botanischer Garten der Universität, one of Germany's oldest.
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Brass Monkey
On the Altstadt, at the entrance to the bridge side, is a statue of a Brass Monkey holding a mirror and surrounded by mice: touch the mirror for wealth, the outstretched fingers to ensure you return to Heidelberg and the mice to ensure you have many children.
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Deutsches Apothekenmuseum
Off the courtyard of the Schloss is the Deutsches Apothekenmuseum, which has well-presented exhibits on chemistry and pharmacology in centuries past. Signs are in English. The 18th-century Grosses Fass (Great Vat) is said to be capable of holding more than 220,000L. Even the Kleines Fass is not exactly tiny.
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Heiliggeistkirche
The Heiliggeistkirche on the old market square, is a superb old Gothic church (1398-1441). From 1706 to 1936 there was a wall between the part used by Protestants and that used by Catholics; today, it's a Protestant place of worship. You can climb the 204 steps to the top of the church spire.
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Hercules Fountain
In the centre of Marktplatz is the Hercules fountain; in medieval times petty criminals were chained to it and left to face the populace.
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Jesuitenviertel
Just east of Universitätsplatz is the Jesuitenviertel, an attractive little square dominated by the city's recently renovated former Jesuitenkirche (Jesuit church), built of red sandstone between 1712 and 1750. On the façade are statues of Christ, Faith (on the rooftop), St Ignatius Loyola and St Francis Xavier. The Schatzkammer (treasury) displays precious religious objects.
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Karl-Theodor-Statue
Up on the bridge, through the tower, is the Karl-Theodor-Statue, which makes reference to the local legend that the prince fathered almost 200 illegitimate children.
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Königstuhl
The upper section of the Bergbahn (funicular railway) uses rail cars dating from 1907. From the Schloss, it continues up to the Königstuhl (altitude 550m - over 400m above the Altstadt), where there's a view and a TV tower. The return fare includes a stop at the Schloss.
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Kurpfälzisches Museum
Tucked in behind a courtyard, the excellent Kurpfälzisches Museum focuses on 15th- to 20th-century paintings and sculptures, and Heidelberg and regional history. Displays include lots of Roman and Merovingian items and a copy of the jawbone of a 600,000-year-old Heidelberg Man (the original is stored across the river at the palaeontology centre).
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Märchenparadies
Märchenparadies is a mini-theme park with fairy-tale characters, a little train line, play areas and other kiddies' stuff.
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Ruprecht-Karls-Universität
Germany's oldest university, Ruprecht-Karls-Universität, was established in 1386 by Count Palatinate Ruprecht I, one of the seven imperial prince-electors. Originally made up of four faculties - philosophy, law, medicine and theology - today it has 18 faculties with over 30,000 students from 80 nations. Women were first admitted in 1900.
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Schloss
Dominating the Altstadt from on high, the partly ruined, red-sandstone Schloss is one of Germany's finest Gothic-Renaissance fortresses. Begun in the 13th century, the oldest surviving bits date from 1400.
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Schlossgarten
Behind the Schloss, the Schlossgarten is a delightful place for a stroll.
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Studentenkarzer
From 1778 to 1914, university students convicted of misdeeds (such as singing, womanising, drinking or just plain goofing around) were tossed into the Studentenkarzer, around the back side of the Alte Universität building. Sentences were generally a minimum of three days and the detainees were fed only bread and water; delinquents serving longer sentences could interrupt their stay for critical reasons (say, to take exams).
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Thingstätte
Up atop the Heiligenberg is the Thingstätte, a Nazi-era amphitheatre. There are several ruins and countless other hiking options in the surrounding hills.
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Universitätsbibliothek
The Universitätsbibliothek, built 1901-05, displays rare books and prints from its superb collections in the upstairs, corner Ausstellungsraum (exhibition room).
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Zoo Heidelberg
The delightful Zoo Heidelberg, just off the Neckar a bit west of the botanical garden, features animals from five continents.
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Showing 1-18 of 18 results
