Heidelberg Castle
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Residenzschloss Ludwigsburg
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Schloss Sigmaringen
Burgruine Weibertreu
Schloss Hohenschwangau
Schloss Neuschwanstein
Schloss Card
Today the castle that overlooks Heidelberg is just a ruin. The Heidelberg Castle was originally built in the 13th century, but extensions where made until the 17th century. The castle was the seat of the Wittelsbach palatines. The Witteslbach family ruled Bavaria from 1180 to 1918 and then the Rhine Palatinate from 1214 to 1805. The castle was badly damaged by the French in 1689 and 1693. At one point the French blew up the gun-powder tower, which destroyed much of the castle. Then during the 1700’s Prince Elector Karl Theodor tried to restore the castle in vain. In 1764 it was struck by lightning and much was burned.
You can see pretty much everything that remains without paying the 2 Euros to get in.
If you do pay, what you will see is the castle yard, pharmacy museum and the worlds largest wooden wine barrel which is about 2 stories high and can hold about 200,000 liters of wine. You do not have to take a tour.
To get to the castle you can walk the 310 stairs up, or take a cable train.
View of the Heidelberg castle.
Englischer Bau of Heidelberg Castle
