Kiwi & Papa Cruise the Rhine!: Heidelberg, November 24, 2010

This morning we docked in Mannheim and took buses up the Neckar River to Heidelberg Castle. The castle was built in the 13th century, and served as a residence for various monarchs until the 18th century. Overlooking the Neckar from high on a hill, the castle has a secure and strongly fortified appearance as you come up the hill to the draw bridge.

The Neckar flowing below the castle ramparts

Dry moats surround the castle...

At one time the kings kept bears in the moat. Later monarchs put deer there to hunt--easy hunting for the royalty...

The Heidelberg city planners have decided to keep the castle walls as they are and not try to restore them to former glory.

Some facades remain intact...

These lion's faces each wear a different expression, a rather challenging job for the sculptor...

The buildings within the walls reflect the changing architecture throughout the years the castle was built and additions were added.

Huge wine casks provided drink during any possible siege.

Another view of the Neckar...

Turrets and towers and chimneys decorate the tiled roofs...

After the visit to the castle we traveled down to the town of Heidelberg, the home of Germany's oldest University at over 600 years old. The students are all over the town, giving it a young and vibrant feeling. We enjoyed walking the streets, seeing the students and looking in the shop windows.