[Germany] Heidelberg Castle

#AbsolutelyFreeTrip Heidelberg, located in southwestern Germany, is an attractive tourist destination that retains traces of the Middle Ages. Beautiful townscape spreads along the Neckar River. It is also famous as a student town with Germany's oldest university. "Heidelberg Castle" is one of Germany's representative castles, standing on a hill overlooking the Neckar River. The first fortifications were recorded in the 13th century, and were expanded from the 14th to 16th centuries. The castle, built of red sandstone, is known as an architecture that shows the transition from Gothic to Renaissance style. It was heavily damaged by an attack by the French army during the Nine Years' War, and was further destroyed by a fire caused by a lightning strike in the 18th century. It was not completely restored after that, and partial preservation began in the early 19th century, and it is now preserved as a beautiful ruin. You can walk to the castle or take the cable car up. A 9 euro ticket covers round-trip cable car fare, a giant wine barrel inside the castle, and a visit to the medicine museum. The only castle in Heidelberg that has survived intact is the "Friedrich's Building". Frederick IV had the chapel that was falling apart demolished and had it built in the early 17th century. The façade is decorated with statues of the Elector's ancestors. From the castle's observation deck, you can enjoy a spectacular view of Heidelberg's old town and the Neckar River. (It's often cloudy in winter.) #GermanyTravel