The inner courtyard is surrounded by many different buildings built over 500 years of occupation. The different stones, styles and construction techniques made it look like a small city in itself, which is one reason it was so popular.
On the ruined and burnt out Otto Henry building, built in 1570, had the front of the building covered with biblical figures. The statue on the left is Samson, and David is furhter down on the right. There are almost 24 different sculptures on the facade.
Here is one of the entry "choke points", as well as a gunnery position overlooking the city below.
Looking out this choke point onto a Artillery Garden point. The Artillery Gardens (there were several) were places where the defenders put rows of cannons to help defend the castle.
In addition the enclosed choke points, there were points where the path up to the castle switch backed. Here is a shot looking at a turn to the right, where gun and cannon slits were pointed straight down the approaching pathway. Either side of the pathway was high stone walls, 30 feet high. No cover here!
A view of the castle from the north bank of the Neckar River.
A view of the castle from down below in the old city part of Heidelberg. The ruined tower on the right is not the famous ruined tower, but it was also destroyed at the same time by the French. The French did not want the castle to be used for defending the region again.
A sunset view of many large old homes on the north side of the river, opposite the Castle. Many of the homes date back from the late 1790's.
A merry-go-round and outdoor bar, just below the castle. It is only put up for the annual Christmas Festival.
Here is one of the many "sauerbraten" meals I had. The beef is a tender marinade of red wine/vinegar, with a thick gravey. The food was deeee-licious! And of course a glass of red wine or krystalweisen beer!
A merr-go-round light up at night next to a centuries old church at night.
Teresa shops for some gloves made from sheepskin.
Here are are few of our friends we met at the University of Maryland training.
I spent a number of days wandering around the hill sides while Teresa was in training. The houses were pretty darned cool! Alot had a very traditional or even castle look.
Most of them were on hill sides, and had a large stone garage/foundation below, with the 2 to 3 story house on top.
Another very cool looking house, with strong castle features.
A nice misty morning, and I am setting off to explore the hillsides opposite the castle.
I am crossing the old bridge to get to Neuenheim City....
A look back at the ruined castle, with a heavy morning mist hanging in the forrest behind it.
The old bridge has this forified twin gates on the castle side of the river.
In one of the many University buildings, this very old 5 story tower remains. Called the "Witches Tower", it was used a womens prison in 1380.
Another dinner of Saeurbratten and beer with our friends! I tried a beer called Franzenkeiner Kristalweisen, and it was very very good!
Another walk in the suburbs. I really like this persons wall. Inside the wall is the garage entrance, and above this wall is the castle style house.
In the woods there were many beautiful spots where the leaves had turned all sorts of colors. On the Monday-Friday's I spent in the woods, I had almost all the woods to myself. Kilometers of paved paths and roads, and only one or two other people were to be seen all day! On weekends, there were many people on the paths tho.
Here is a stone watch/guard tower on the hill opposite the castle. There were many of these towers around, used for keeping track of enemy movements.
I used the timer feature of the camera to take a self portrait. It was pretty cold! But very pretty outside!
A typical paved path. Not that many pine trees, most were annuals! The paths up the hillside is called the "Philosophers Path", because many famous wise people use to walk, think and meditate on this hillside paths over the past few hundred years.
At the top of the hill are two ruined monasteries dating back to the 14th century. Not much remains of either monastery, but the tower of the small monastery remains, and some low foundation stones. A deep well going 200 feet down, hand dug, also remains in good working condition.