Coffee Bars

The Story of the Heidelberg Student's Kiss

For generations, Heidelberg has stood for romanticism the world over.
The charm of our "city with a heart" has been praised in poems, songs and anecdotes; and rightly so, as illustrated by this little episode taken from everyday life in Heidelberg. Heidelberg"s oldest café s situated in the heart of the Old City. Established in 1863, it soon became a favourite meeting place for respected citizens, university professors and " how could it be otherwise " a great many students. They all liked Fridolin Knösel, a good-natured pastry chef who was devoted to his work, and enjoyed the intimate atmosphere of his café.

Accompanied by their watchful governesses, the young ladies of the then renowned Heidelberg finishing schools also regularly visited the café, where they always encountered a group of merry students. It was only natural that the young people secretly exchanged glances. However, the strict governesses kept even these innocent flirtations of their charges under control.

The young ladies` secret longings did not escape Fridolin Knösel, who understandingly decided to help them. He was full of ideas and surprised them one day with a particularly delicious chocolate pastry, which he presented as Student"s Kiss, grinning as he did so. Even the governesses accepted these "student"s kisses", although they could not prevent their charges from continuing to dream of real ones, which later certainly came to be.

Since then much time has passed. Much has changed. But the Student"s Kisses, delightful reminders of the romantic past, still exist today. In this way, a charming idea became part of Heidelberg"s history, a part of romantic student tradition and part of our city"s image.