Heidelberg

The plan today was to drive one hour to Heidelberg, to see the famous castle on the hill. What we didn't expect was the falling snow settling on the two inches on the ground that greeted us when we opened our shades. Panic set in. By the time we were all ready and dropped Rebecca off at our neighbor's house to spend the day, it was no longer snowing and the snow on the ground was almost entirely gone.

In the parking garage in Heidelberg, we saw these parking spots reserved for women, something you see in most large parking garages. Frauenparkplätze tend to be better lit, are located near pedestrian entrances and may offer better surveillance than regular parking spots.  But you also can't help but notice that some of these women's parking spots are noticeably wider than regular spots. Say no more, say no more.

From the Kornmarkt (Corn Market) you get a beautiful view of the Heidelberg Castle behind the 1718 Madonna statue.

The Heiliggeist Kirche (Church of the Holy Ghost) dominates Marktplatz, the main square of Heidelberg. Build during the early 15 century on the foundations of a much older church, it was both Protestant and Catholic from 1705 until 1936; the two faiths being separated by a wall between the nave and choir. The church is now exclusively Protestant. The tourist stalls along the outside walls have been there since medieval days and we visited each one, looking for the perfect souvenirs. On non-gloomy, non-wintry days, this square is hopping with tourists and the cafés are teeming with customers.

The Haus zum Ritter, now a hotel, was built in 1592 by a wealthy merchant and was the only mansion in Heidelberg to survive the French invastion of 1693. The architectural beauty and elegance of this Renaissance building makes it the finest historical and most artistic town house in Heidelberg.

Lovely detail on a local house

Famous monkey statue along the Neckar River. The modern sculpture of the "Brückenaffe" ("bridge monkey") relates to an ancient relief on the bridge showing a monkey with a mirror, according to legend intended to teach all new arrivals entering the city some humility.

David demonstrating how it's done

These two mice sitting next to the monkey are the artist's signature. A little research revealed this belief: Touch the mirror for wealth; the mice for many children; and the monkey's fingers for a return trip to Heidelberg.

On the beloved Alte Brücke (Old Bridge) in front of the famous Brückentor (Bridge Gate) which was once part of the town walls.

Even though there is a funicular (incline railway) up to the castle, we didn't want to be wimps and made the arduous climb up to the castle. It was easier than last time, when I had to push Rebecca in a stroller up the steep, bumpy cobblestone path.

In the courtyard of the castle. The earliest castle structure was built before AD 1214 and later expanded into 2 castles circa 1294; however, in 1537, a lightning-bolt destroyed the upper castle. The present structures had been expanded by 1650, before damage by later wars and fires. In 1764, another lightning-bolt destroyed some rebuilt sections. 

Detail from one of the castle's several façades.

Climbing up to the top of the Grosses Fass (Great Vat), the world's largest wine cask. Made in 1751, it has a capacity of approximately 220,000 litres (58,100 U.S. gallons).

The Grosses Fass is guarded by the statue of court jester Perkeo, a dwarf who had a monumental capacity for the juice.

This powder turret was split by an explosion in the late 17th century by French troops who had invaded Heidelberg.

Walking along the moat of the castle

We also visited the German Pharmaceutical Museum with its collection of over 20,000 objects representing the rich history of medical sciences and spanning two thousand years of pharmacy history.

As we looked at these apothecary's rooms, I could only think one thing....

....."This would make an awesome scrapbooking room!"