by Rose H.
Member since:
January 11, 2007

HEIDELBERG CASTLE - Our summer vacation 2008

September 04, 2008 04:58 PM EDT
views: 110 | comments: 22

Heidelberg castle is a huge tourist magnet and one of the coolest castles in Germany.  You can even reserve the grand ballroom for your very own ball!

The first castle structures were built  1398 - 1410 and added onto over the centuries. Destroyed in the thirty year war and then built up again - only to be destroyed by the French and lastly hit by lightning in 1764.

The burning of the castle - a spectacular lightshow - is an annual festival not to be missed.

View of the city of Heidelberg from the castle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Under construction

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Could you tell how huge the castle is?

Thanks for coming along to a visit of one of my favorite castles!

For more info - see my essay titled 'Greetings from Heidelberg' and visit http://www.visit-heidelberg.com/

During the Heidelberg Castle Festival in the summer, the courtyard is the site of open air musicals, operas and theatre performances and classical concerts such as the famous "Castle Serenades" performed by the Heidelberg City Orchestra.

Heidelberg is a student filled university town, a tourist town, a sightseeing mecca full of wine cellars and pubs, outdoor cafe's, scores of architectural treasures and medieval art, galleries and churches - add a picturesque setting on the banks of the beautiful Neckar river - a magnificent castle towering on the hillside and you have a forever young city - remembered with fondness by all who visit.

All images taken Aug 2008 by Rose H. with an Olympus D-540 digital camera.

Copyright 2008 Rose H.
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Comments: 22

Rose H. Sep 4, 2008, 5:28pm EDT
Erica - Heidelberg is a special place - beautiful and full of life. Glad you got to see it!
Esther IS Flesh and Blood S. Sep 4, 2008, 6:25pm EDT
I absolutely adore German architecture! Your photographs have all been amazing Rose. I am so glad that you have shared your vacation with us.
Rose H. Sep 4, 2008, 6:58pm EDT
Esther, thank you - it was my pleasure.
Marianne R. Sep 4, 2008, 7:40pm EDT
Excellent photos and essay. Thee are some really fantastic shots in this, Rose. You got to see a lot of amazing "things."
necee t. Sep 4, 2008, 7:58pm EDT
wow, Rose, your photos bring me right to with you... thank you so much... i enjoy all your beautiful photos... God bless you my friend...


Girly Comments & Graphics
Anne W. Sep 4, 2008, 8:08pm EDT
Thank you for posting to Point Whore! Wishing everyone many, many points!
DIANE D. Sep 4, 2008, 8:34pm EDT
What a neat place!
Ralph J. Sep 4, 2008, 8:41pm EDT
Absolutely beautiful! It's one of my favorite castles in all of Europe.
j - Frugal Mom - r. Sep 4, 2008, 9:38pm EDT
Wow, that is so cool Rose. I wonder how much it cost to rent that ballroom. One of my childhood friends went to a wedding in Germany, where the party was held in a castle of some sort.
Bridget ♥ Sep 5, 2008, 10:58am EDT
My dad was there years ago, it's amazing!
kara t Sep 5, 2008, 8:40pm EDT
Beautiful photos! I'd love to go see for myself.
kara t Sep 5, 2008, 8:42pm EDT
I especially love the 6th one down-that's awesome.
Jan S. Sep 6, 2008, 2:39am EDT
I love Heidelberg! The castle and the city are both beautiful and rich with architecture, history and of course, the Student Prince! I had so much fun in Heidelberg. I'd love to go again.
Rose H. Sep 6, 2008, 9:35am EDT
Kara - I like that shot too - looks so gothic-romantic somehow. My favorite shot is actually the last one, because of the atmosphere it conveys and it also gives you an idea about the size of the castle.

Jan - ah, the Student Prince - how could I forget - they have summer theater performances in the courtyard. But this year it looked like they had a lot of construction going on.
.....and strangely enough - they said nothing about the largest wine vat of all - the guide more or less skipped going there and just pointed to it on the way out. That used to be such a fun part of the tour.

JR - that ballroom - can you imagine - you'd really feel like a fairy princess.

Thank you all so much for dropping by.
April H. Sep 6, 2008, 12:38pm EDT
Great pics!
Jennifer N. Sep 7, 2008, 11:09pm EDT
I would just die for a chance to see this in person. Gorgeous Rose and you've done well to let us feel like we saw it alongside you!
Amy C. Sep 9, 2008, 12:35pm EDT
absolutely stunning photos. I have photos from when we went but I think that was back before digital photography and we used a 35 mm the shots are not near as beautiful as yours.
Austin Cushing Sep 9, 2008, 6:40pm EDT
This comment is to let you know that this content has reached at least ten comments, and as such has been removed from Comment Speedway! Congratulations, and check out this week's Help These Articles!
Fern Cohen Sep 13, 2008, 3:28pm EDT
I hear Heidelberg is awesome, and your pics prove it!
Tory H. Sep 29, 2008, 11:57am EDT
Beautiful architecture! The attention to detail is amazing, even with the damage.

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