A day in Heidelberg

Heidelberg is known as one of the nicest cities in Germany as well as for hosting the oldest German university (back in XIIIth century). As it lays only 90 kilometres away from Frankfurt, I decided to pay it a visit.

First thing I must say is that Heidelberg is incredibly medieval. However, something happened in 1693 (a fire?) which destroyed the whole city but one house: the one on the right. It seems almost an unbelievable story. This house is at the end of the Hauptstrasse, the main street leading to the old town from the modern Bismarckplatz. In front of this house, one finds the cathedral, a huge building in the middle of the Marktplatz, with some shops around it. Before in the Hauptstrasse, the Universtätsplatz and some other amazing palaces have been left behind.

River Neckar goes through Heidelberg, dividing the city in two uneven halves. The Alte Brücke was the only way to cross the river until modern times and it has kept all its charm, although when I visited it, it was being repaired. On the other side, we have the Philosophers Weg, a nice walk after a crazy uphill path, with wonderful views of the city itself.As it can be seen on the picture, over the old town of Heidelberg lies a castle, half destroyed but with very nice gardens and views of the city. There is a funicular going uphill until the second highest hill in this part of Germany, but it was too much for just one day.

On the way back home, at the Frankfurt Train Station, we watched drug dealers selling drugs without hiding themselves at all, just close to the underground station, in an extremely disgusting and sad image. I wonder whether nothing could be said in order to prevent it. This image darkened what had been a very pleasant day in a very nice city.