A Happy Birthday in Heidelberg

Happy Birthday, Robert!   

Birthday Destination:  Heidelberg, Germany

Saturday, March 16, 2013

The city of Heidelberg emerges from the hills of the Odenwald into the Rhine plain.  It is a 1 hour train ride from Frankfurt.  It boasts the castle, a University Library that was erected in 1901 and has one of the largest book collections in all of Germany (over 2 million volumes), several museums, the Old Town area with quite lovely architecture, shopping and eateries.  The Old Bridge which crosses the river Neckar gives some of the best views of the city and castle; and if you cross over the bridge and do a short climb, you can reach the “Philosophenweg” (Philosopher’s Path)  or, as my tongue tied self said the “Veloceraptor’s Path”  Hahahaha.  Must’ve had dinosaurs on the brain (ahem, Cory).

Heidelberg Schloss (the castle) sits high above the lovely banks of the Neckar river, just above the Old Town.  It can be reached by funicular, vehicle, or walking, but we, of course, rode the Funicular up. This was once a vast residential complex that was built and repeatedly extended from the 13^th-17^th century.  It was once a well fortified Gothic castle, but today, is mainly ruins for our adventuresome selves to explore and enjoy.  One of the highlights at the castle is in the Cellar which holds the famous Great Tun of 1751.  Essentially it is a giant beer/wine barrel – this one holds 48,400 gallons.  They must’ve thrown some amazing parties.  Just sayin’!

 

We ran out of time and didn’t have a chance to get down to the Old Bridge, so I plan to return to fair Heidelberg, so that I might stroll the banks of the Neckar and walk along the Philosopher’s Path.

Hauptbahnhof Train Station in Frankfurt

 

All Aboard!

Heidelberg Schloss - the Castle Ruins

Michelle and I

 

 

Cool drain spout!

This clock had numbers and astrological signs

The Famed Portrait of Queen Audra of Heidelberg Schloss

I had one too many from this barrel... and this was the LITTLE one!

This is the Great Tun of 1751 - holds 48,400 gallons.

There is a stairs on the right, a viewing platform up on top and a spiral staircase coming down on the left.  It's HUGE.  Notice the adults at the base?

 

Views from the castle of Old Town and the Neckar river below.

This is how Hollis spent all of her castle tour - conked out!

As soon as we walked out the front gate, she woke up and had some snacks!

 

 In Old Town Heidelberg

Nice lederhosen, babe!  (Andy on the left)

 

 I'm such a poser!

 

 It's common to see stands like this one where you can buy plant bulbs, flowers, etc.

(Even in Frankfurt)