Heidelberg Castle, Medieval castle and museum in Heidelberg, Germany
Heidelberg Castle is a ruin made of red sandstone that rises 80 meters above the Neckar River, blending Gothic and Renaissance elements across several buildings and courtyards. The complex spreads over terraces and includes defensive towers, residential wings and gardens overlooking the old town.
The site served from 1398 as the seat of the Prince Electors and grew over centuries through rebuilding and expansion. A lightning strike in 1764 damaged large sections so severely that they were never inhabited again.
The German Apothecary Museum inside the Otto Heinrich Building displays laboratory instruments and medicine vessels from three centuries of pharmaceutical practice. Visitors see mortars, scales and herb chambers that bring to life the daily work of healers from earlier times.
The funicular from Kornmarkt brings visitors directly to the entrance, while walking paths from the city center lead through the forest. Those arriving by car reach the site via Hausackerweg and find parking there.
The Heidelberg Tun from 1751 is the largest wine barrel in the world and holds 220,000 liters (58,000 gallons). On its upper surface sits a wooden platform that was once used as a dance floor at court celebrations.
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