HEIDELBERG, Germany
Heidelberg is nestled in the
wooded valley of the Neckar River.
The town survived largely unscathed from World War II and has
preserved its Renaissance Baroque character.
Nine arches of the Alte Brűcke (Old Bridge) span
the Neckar. In the Old Town is
the Late Gothic Church of the Holy Spirit, built from locally quarried
red sandstone. There are also the Knights
House, an elegant 16th century mansion representative of the Germany
Mannerist style and the austere façade of the 18th century
Jesuit Church, which belies a lavishly adorned interior. Heidelberg Castle built on a
neighboring hill once was the residence of the Counts Palatine of the
Holy Roman Empire. Damaged during the
Thirty Years War (1618-1648) and a subsequent French invasion, the
stately ruins preserve Heidelbergs links to its medieval past. [see Photos] |