Heidelberg Castle and its garden were destroyed, during the Thirty Years War . Later, they were rebuilt by Prince Elector Karl Ludwig (1649 - 1680), only to be destroyed once again by French troops

On the summit of Jettenbuhl, Heidelberg Castle (mainly 14th-17th centuries) gazes majestically over the Old Town and is one of the most impressive historical landmarks of Germany. The structure, now largely in ruins, preserves numerous examples of medieval, Renaissance, and baroque German architecture.

Prince Elector Ruprecht III (1398-1410) erected the first building as a royal residence and over the next 400 years, ramparts, outbuildings and palaces were added.

The Fountain Hall, located opposite, was erected by Prince Elector Philipp (1476 – 1508). It was rumoured that the prince had the columns transferred from a decayed palace of Charlemagne to Heidelberg.

The Prince Electors of the 16th and 17th century turned the fortress into a castle and added two representative palace buildings. The two dominant buildings at the eastern and northern side of the courtyard were erected during the rule of Ottheinrich (1556 - 1559) and Friedrich IV (1583 - 1610). Today, they are considered to be two of the most important buildings in German architectural history.

Under Friedrich V (1613 - 1619), the main building of the west side was erected, the so called "English Building." The Castle and its garden were destroyed, during the Thirty Years War. Later, they were rebuilt by Prince Elector Karl Ludwig (1649 - 1680), only to be destroyed once again by French troops. Prince Elector Karl Theodor, who resided in Schwetzingen, tried to restore the castle to make it inhabitable once again, but in vain: Lightning struck the Castle in 1764.

In the centuries that followed, the Castle was misused as a quarry - castle stones helped to build new houses in Heidelberg. This was stopped in 1800 by Count Charles de Graimberg who made any effort he could to preserve the Heidelberg Castle. In spite of its Gothic interior, it was not until 1934 that the King's Hall was added.

Today, the hall is used for festivities such as dinner banquets, balls and theatre performances. During the Heidelberg Castle Festival in the summer, the courtyard is the site of open air musicals, operas and theatre performances and classical concerts

The cellar of Heidelberg Castle contains the famed Heidelberg Tun, a wine vat with a capacity of 220,017 litres (58,124 gallons). The present day barrel was constructed in 1751 from 130 oak tree trunks; it is 8.5 meters across and 7 meters high with a dance floor on top. It was built under Karl Theodor; a baroque plaque bears his initials.

Tourist Information

Opening hours:

Daily from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

(Dec. 24 and 31 from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m.)

Telephone: 06221 / 53 84 14

Admission Price for Castle Yard, Great Vat and German Pharmacy Museum:

Adults: €2 ; Reduced: €1