The pride of the city - the oldest university in Germany

Heidelberg - ancient town with a dramatic story of Heidelberg - one of the most amazing cities in Germany. He is known for its distinctive, beautiful and perfectly preserved old town in the Baroque and the oldest university in Germany. In Heidelberg there are many cultural and historical sites associated with different eras of its existence. It is they who make the city one of the most visited sites in Germany and Western Europe. About 3 million tourists from all over the world annually visit Heidelberg, to enjoy its unique construction in Baroque style and at the same time to see it a modern look. View of the Neckar river city is located in the lower reaches of the navigable river Neckar, which flows in the southwestern part of the country. Neckar Heidelberg crosses from east to west and 22 kilometers downstream the river flows into the Rhine. The city is located in the northwestern part of Baden-Wurttemberg, between the cities of Frankfurt and Stuttgart. In the east, the city is surrounded by hills Kenigsshtul height 568 meters, Gaisberg height of 375 meters and a height of 445 meters Hayligenberg. The city covers an area of ??108.83 square meters. km., its population is about 150 000 people. Heidelberg. Old Town First mention of Heidelberg found in the charter of the monastery to Shon in 1196, however, in the area found traces of residence of Celts, Germans, Franks and Romans. For centuries the city was the capital of the territorial Palatinate. During its existence, the city experiencing a period of prosperity, which lasted for five centuries. In 1386 there was established the first German university. During the many wars the old Heidelberg was several times destroyed by the French, but was again rebuilt in Baroque style. In 1720, the residence of the Palatinate princes moved to Mannheim. Castle Heidelberg In 1803 the city became part of the grand duchy of Baden. In the XIX century, philosophers have turned it into a city of poets, and began to develop the city as a university center. Unlike most German cities, Heidelberg was severely damaged during the Second World War. In the postwar period there was the headquarters of the U.S. Army Command in Europe. One of the streets of Heidelberg Heidelberg Castle rises majestically in its glow pastel shades between the old buildings of the city and hills. Today, it is undoubtedly the most attractive tourist destinations in the city. The architecture of the castle is a strange mix of styles XII-XVII centuries. Most of the castle was built in the spirit of the German Renaissance. It was first mentioned in 1225, and its construction took place in several stages. In the form in which it can be seen today, it bears the prints of several architectural styles, and its appearance was influenced by the fact that he was the residence of Prince Palatinate. After a period of the reign of Charles Philip in 1720 because of disagreement with the majority of the population, the capital city of Heidelberg has been moved to the new Palace of Mannheim. Today the castle in Heidelberg attracts tourists from around the globe. It can be accessed in two ways. One of them - take the lift from the old town and the other - to climb on foot along the narrow and scenic trails along the slope. Heidelberg University, Heidelberg University and Ruprecht-Karl was founded in 1386 and is one of the oldest universities in Europe. The University is widely recognized in the medical and natural sciences. It was founded by Elector Ruprecht I, Prince of the Palatinate and the Grand Duke Karl Friedrich Baden, after which the university received its name.