Heidelberg Castle/Castle Gardens

The wonderful Castle is still the number one attraction in Heidelberg!

The Castle history is best presented in a Castle tour - offered every hour in German and English language. Traveling Groups can book their individual guide in advance.

Every summer the Theater and Philharmonic Orchester of the City of Heidelberg is staging the Castle Festival in fantastic surroundings - this year in the Castle gardens. More information in the section Events.

The first "big barrel" in the cellar of Heidelberg Castle was built in 1591. Today's tourist attraction, the barrel built in 1751, is even bigger: More than nine yards long and eight yards high, it has a capacity of 55,345 gallons of wine. In former times, the wine growers had to pay their share of taxes by delivering wine to the castle.

Heidelberg Castle - TOP of Germany!

During a survey conducted by the German National Tourist Board Heidelberg Castle has been voted to the Number One of the TOP 100 sights in Germany. About 18.000 international guests participated in the online survey on www.germany.travel and chose their three favourite sights.

 

Opening hours:
Courtyard 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM (last entry: 5:30 PM)
Big Vat 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM (last entry: 5:50 PM)
Pharmacy Museum 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM (last entry: 5:10 PM)

Combi-Ticket (Funicular, castle courtyard, giant barrel and German apothecary museum)
Adults € 6.00, reduced € 4.00

This ticket is valid for the way up to the "Molkenkur" and for free if you have the HeidelbergCARD


Audioguide supplement € 4.00 (available in several languages)

Guided tours supplement
Adults € 4.00, reduced € 2.00, Families € 10.00, Groups (of 20 and more) per person € 3.60

Special guided tours supplement
Adults from € 5.00, reduced from € 2.50

Phone +49 6221 53 84 21
Fax +49 6221 53 84 20

Internet
www.schloesser-magazin.de
www.deutsches-apotheken-museum.de

Audio Tour

In Englisch, French Spanish, Japanese, Chinese, Russian
Price: € 3.50; Groups up from 20 people: € 2.50
Fax/phone.: 06221-654429
Homepage: www.heidelberg-schloss.de

The Castle gardens

In former times, the geometrically designed terraces of a Renaissance garden stood out against the wooded background of the Heidelberg Castle. Before the 30 Years' War, contemporaries even considered the "Hortus Palatinus" as being the "Eighth Wonder of the World". In the south-east corner of the garden, visitors will find the remains of the "Great Grotto". Rocks were blown up to create this romantic grotto displaying musical water arts. The walls were abundantly decorated with rare polished stones, shells and corals.

 

Left of the grotto, a pond contains the enormous sandstone sculpture of a resting "Father Rhine". A monumental dimension is added to the Castle Gardens while strolling on the "Great Terrace" and enjoying the wonderful view of the Castle's east front rising dark into the sky as well as a view of the Rhine Valley. It was the famous garden architect Salomon de Caus, who discovered this unique spot and view. He created the Castle Gardens as a homage to Heidelberg's surroundings.
No admission fees. Castle Gardens

 

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