2013/Germany 2- Heidelberg's Altstadt

   We spent quite a bit of the day at the castle (previous blog) and now had a limited amount of time to explore the Altstadt. First on our agenda was to walk to the Alte Brucke (old bridge). On the way there we blew by the Madonna statue......

Built by the Jesuits, trying to persuade people to switch to Catholicism.

                             the backside of the Heiliggeistkirche (Church of the Holy spirit) .......

Heidelberg's most  famous church

                          and the picturesque city streets.

If we hadn't already eaten, this one would have been tempting to try!

Interesting plaque on a wall....will need to get my German dictionary out!

Medieval bridge gate is a remnant of the old city wall.

       Near the entrance to the bridge is a brass sculpture of a monkey holding a mirror by Professor Gernot Rumpf. I have found two explanations for this sculpture; 1) it symbolizes that neither city dweller or non-city dweller is better than the other. By looking over their shoulder (using the monkey's mirror?) as they cross the bridge they can remember that or 2) Touch the mirror for wealth and the outstretched fingers ensure you return to Heidelberg.

Sculpture was made in 1979.

      When Jim saw the above picture, he says he did not see the monkey at all !!! Maybe Justin was blocking his view :-) Behind them were some little mice sculptures that I did not see :-(

     The bridge was built in 1788 and was the 1st stone bridge over the Neckar River. In March of 1945, American troops were advancing and the German troops blew up the bridge as they retreated from Heidelberg.

Nice little history plaque about the bridge.....in German :-)

                           We took our time crossing the bridge as we enjoyed the scenery.

     We have a really nice view of the castle from here.

     Jim and Justin relaxing while I take my time taking pictures.

     There are two sculptures by Konrad Linck adorning the bridge. One is a monument for the Roman Goddess Minerva...

                      and the other is a monument to Prince Elector Carl Theodor, who had the bridge built.

                Returning to the Altstadt side of the bridge, we walk through the medieval bridge gate.....

     and back to the pleasant atmosphere of cobbled streets lined with lovely, older renovated buildings.

               We make our way back to the Gothic-style Heiliggeistkirche. It was built from Neckar valley sandstone in 1398-1441, and the tower was completed in 1544. The church was used by both Protestants and Catholics in 1706.  Inside, a wall was built down the middle to separate the two Faiths. By 1936 it was all Protestants.

 We only have time to peek in and take a few pictures.

Near the Heiliggeistkirche, is a late Renaissance mansion.

Entrance to the church is on the left, mansion is straight ahead.

    This mansion was built in 1592 by Charles Belier, a Huguenot cloth merchant. Three hundred years ago it was a Coaching Inn and is now a hotel.

     It is named after the sculpture at the top of the building, Ritter St Georg.

Very Ornate

      Because it was built of  stone, it survived several fires and is the oldest house/building in Heidelberg.

     The Jesuitenkirche is an 18th century baroque-style building built from red sandstone in 1712-1723. Towering high above us in the central niche is Jesus Christ and on the gable peak is the cardinal virtue of faith with the sign of the cross, love and hope are on the sides.

  Stepping inside is a very white interior....

There are 3 frescoed altars dating from 1871 by Andreas Muller and Ferdinand Keller.

    just a touch of gold and green on the columns' capitals.

  From here we walk back to the parking garage, taking in the street scenes....

    and extra fancy......

    details along the way.

I was tempted to enter this store!

Someone has a very green thumb here :-)

    We also walk through the marktplatz, which was the Altstadt's hub of street life activity.

   The Hercules fountain was built 1703-1706 and symbolizes the efforts to rebuild the city after 1700 ( the French troops destroyed much of the city under Louis XIV around 1690).

The original Hercules is in the Kurpfalzisches museum.

   Then a very short distance from here is another public 'square', the kornmarkt. This square was used for the collection and trade of agriculture goods- kind of like our farmer's market.

Love the brick/stone work here.

Another opportunity to get a Madonna statue picture.

     Some last looks at the buildings.....

    and castle.....

    before we climb back up to ....

   where we started, much earlier in the day.

   Once we get back to Justin's house we relax for awhile in our own corner/bubble....

       before we finish off the day at a local German restaurant.

   After we have seated ourselves, food and drinks were ordered. In that kitchen behind Justin we can actually hear our dinner being made....the pounding and the sizzling of the individual schnitzels as we enjoy the anticipation of another scrumptious meal.

    A very cheery setting

   to end a perfect day....

  and anniversary!