The Old Bridge Heidelberg in the time-honoured Heidelberg city centre is one of the landmarks of the tourist magnet on the Neckar. The actual name of the bridge is Karl Theodor Bridge. It was built in 1788 by Elector Karl Theodor from sandstone from the Neckar valley. The medieval bridge gate was initially used as a guardhouse and prison and was called the ‘Schuldturm’ (debtor’s tower). The bridge gate was then extensively restored in 2019. The popular sight of the Old Bridge connects the Old Town with the opposite bank of the Neckar. It is located at the eastern end of the Neuenheim district and is open to pedestrians and cyclists. Cars are also allowed to drive here on weekdays between 16:00 and 11:00.
Place of interest: Heidelberg Old Bridge is a first-class motif
The Old Bridge Heidelberg spans the Neckar at the level of the Old Town. When you cross the 200 metre long baroque bridge, you have a fantastic view. It is seven metres wide and mainly reserved for pedestrians, so you can stroll comfortably. The Old Bridge Heidelberg and the backdrop of Heidelberg’s Old Town on the banks make for a first-class photo opportunity. The Old Heidelberg Castle above crowns the whole thing.
Tip: After about a third you will have the ideal image section. Simply turn round once on your own axis. You have a fantastic view in every direction: In addition to the Old Town and the Old Palace, the opposite Neuenheimer Ufer with its picturesque villas is also well worth seeing.
The Old Bridge in Heidelberg was built in 1788. Large sandstones are joined together and span the Neckar in nine decorative stone arches. The Heidelberg bridge itself is also a beautiful motif. You can photograph it from the opposite side of the Neckar. Then you have the old town and the bridge reflected photogenically in the Neckar in the picture.
Two sculptures adorn the bridge. One sculpture depicts Elector Karl Theodor, the other the Roman goddess Minerva. If you walk onto the bridge on the Old Town side, you will pass the large bridge gate. The bridge gate with its two white towers is a real eye-catcher and gives the Old Bridge of Heidelberg a fairytale setting. In the Middle Ages, it served as part of Heidelberg’s city wall and is therefore older than the bridge itself. Even the small square in front of it exudes a romantic atmosphere and invites you to linger. If you look from the bridge to the imposing gate, you will see an enchanting sight that fits perfectly into the historic cityscape of Heidelberg.
History: Heidelberg Old Bridge – built in 1788 and a place of longing for the Romantics
Eight previous wooden bridges stood on the site of the Old Bridge in Heidelberg. They were regularly destroyed in wars. The Elector therefore decided to build a stone bridge, which was completed in 1788. The citizens had to co-finance the expensive structure with a special tax. At the beginning of the 19th century, Heidelberg’s Old Bridge became a place of longing for the Romantics. The ruins of the Old Castle also attracted many artists. Keller, Brentano and Hölderlin were impressed by the bridge. Goethe in particular mentioned the bridge in his works, poems and diaries. He visited Heidelberg a total of eight times and wrote about it in his diary:
‘From here, the bridge is more beautiful than perhaps any bridge in the world. Through the arches you look directly at the Neckar, which flows into the flat Rhine valley. Above the bridge, the light blue mountains on the other side of the Rhine stretch into the distance. To the right, an overgrown rock with reddish sides closes off the view. It blends harmoniously with the surrounding vineyards.’
Goethe’s works. Weimar Edition, III. section, vol. 2, pp. 77-112.
Gottfried Keller wrote in a poem, among other things:
‘Beautiful bridge, you often carried me, When my heart beat expectantly And with you I crossed the stream. And it seemed to me that your proud bows Went with me in bold sweep, And they felt my joy too.’
Gottfried Keller
If you quote this, you can impress your companions.
On 29 March 1945, German soldiers blew up the Old Bridge in Heidelberg. It was rebuilt in 1947.
Special tips: The Heidelberg bridge monkey – a symbol of prosperity and fertility
Special tip: One famous figure is the Heidelberg bridge monkey, whose history goes back more than 500 years. The Heidelberg bridge monkey used to be a stone statue. It was intended as a mockery. He gripped his bare backside and pointed it in the direction of Kurmainz. The Heidelberg bridge monkey showed the bishops of Mainz that their power ended here. From this point onwards, the Elector ruled instead. After the former Heidelberg bridge monkey was destroyed, it is now a bronze sculpture. It holds a mirror up to the city. It is intended to encourage critical self-reflection.
A legend dating back to the Middle Ages is associated with the Heidelberg bridge monkey. If you touch the mirror, you will get luck and prosperity. If you rub the fingers of your right hand, you will return to Heidelberg. There are mice at the monkey’s feet. Stroke them when you are planning a family. You will then have fertility and many children.
If you are looking for an original motif, you can stick your head into the hollow head of the Heidelberg bridge monkey – that’s how big it is. The following poem has stood next to the Heidelberg bridge monkey since the 17th century:
‘What are you doing gawping at me here? Have you not seen the old monkey? Look back and forth to Heidelberg, there you will probably see more like me.’
Tip for lovers:
The Love Stone stands on the banks of the Neckar opposite the Old Town. The 3.5 tonne stone has a hole in the middle through which you can see the Old Town. The view of the Old Bridge in Heidelberg is particularly beautiful from here. Important: The main purpose of the love stone is for lovers to place their love lock here.
Tip for a dream view:
Once you have crossed the bridge away from the old town, you should definitely take a trip to the Philosopher’s Path. The hike is about two kilometres long. At the beginning, you have a steep section ahead of you. The Schlangenweg takes you uphill through vineyard terraces and forest until you cross the Philosophenweg. The path then leads leisurely along the southern slope of the Heiligenberg, opposite Heidelberg. The sheltered southern slope is one of the warmest areas in Germany. Thanks to this mild climate, Mediterranean plants such as cypresses, palms, lemons, bamboo and pines thrive here. You’ll feel like you’re in Tuscany. And the best thing is the fantastic panoramic view of the entire Old Town of Heidelberg, the Old Bridge and the Old Heidelberg Castle. You won’t find a more postcard motif than this. Just sit down on one of the benches and enjoy the view.
The Philosophers’ Walk owes its name to the professors and philosophers who used to walk, think and reflect here while enjoying the impressive view. Heidelberg students also saw this as an ideal place for romantic get-togethers and togetherness in the past – and they were right.
Surroundings: From the Old Bridge Heidelberg to the Old Town and the castle
When you pass the bridge gate of the Old Bridge, you are just a few metres away from Heidelberg’s Old Town. Here you can stroll through medieval alleyways and discover picturesque squares. Numerous sights invite you to spend the whole day without getting bored. Heidelberg attracts around 13 million visitors every year.
On the spacious market square, you can choose from a range of restaurants and enjoy the atmosphere.
Heidelberg has the oldest university in Germany. It was founded in 1386. 33 Nobel Prize winners are associated with Ruprecht Karls University, 14 of whom were working there at the time they were honoured. You can visit the Old Assembly Hall of Heidelberg University. Insider tip: The university had a student carcass. It used to serve as a student prison. Students who violated public order ended up here. If you can find the time, it’s very original.
The Old Heidelberg Castle is definitely worth a visit. You can walk up to Heidelberg Old Palace. There are 315 steps and a steep footpath leading up to the top. You’ll work up a sweat, but it’s doable. Alternatively, you can take the cog railway. Take your time to visit the castle. It is well worth it. There are also 1.5-hour guided tours of the castle. These are also worthwhile. Incidentally, you have a fantastic view of Heidelberg’s Old Town from here.
Tip for another dream view: you have a very special view from the King’s Chair, which rightly bears its name. Heidelberg’s local mountain is 567 metres high. From Heidelberg Castle, you can climb a steep staircase, the ‘ladder to heaven’, to the top. You then climb the 270 metres in altitude on more than 1,200 roughly hewn natural stone steps. Alternatively, you can also take the mountain railway.
