Heidelberg
One of the Most Beautiful German Cities
“I have never enjoyed a view which had such a serene and satisfying charm about it as this one gives.” This is what Mark Twain wrote about Heidelberg in his book A Tramp Abroad, published two years after he stayed in my native town from May 6 to July 23, 1878.
But it wasn’t just Mark Twain who was enthusiastic about Heidelberg. During the Romantic period, a movement that emerged in Europe at the end of the seventeen hundreds, numerous famous poets and painters were inspired by the breathtaking ensemble of castle, old town and river on the edge of the Neckar Valley. Still today, Heidelberg is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Germany.
More of a Palace Than Just a Castle
Perched on a hill overlooking the city, Heidelberg Castle is one of the most famous and romantic ruins in Germany. The castle’s mix of Gothic and Renaissance architecture, along with its stunning views of the Neckar River and the city below, makes it a must-see.
The first residence of the Electors of the Palatinate was built here in the twelve hundreds. A medieval castle was then transformed into a prestigious palace. In 1693, during the so called Nine Years’ War, French troops systematically devastated numerous villages, fortresses, churches and entire towns such as Heidelberg. Heidelberg Castle was left in ruins but almost all other buildings were completely destroyed.
Most of the houses we see in the Old Town, a picturesque area with narrow, cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and charming squares, therefore date back “only” to the early seventeen hundreds.
American Presence Between 1945 and 2013
Throughout the Second World War, Heidelberg was one of the few larger cities in Germany that had been almost completely spared from Allied air raids. On March 30, 1945, the US Army announced in its official operation report: “The city of Heidelberg has surrendered without a fight.”
The US Army occupied the untouched Wehrmacht barracks “Großdeutschland-Kaserne” and renamed it Campbell Barracks. Heidelberg then became the headquarters of the American armed forces in Europe, the most important base of the US Army in Europe.
At times, 220,000 American soldiers were commanded from here. At the time, Heidelberg was considered the city of generals: Dwight D. Eisenhower, who later became president, resided here; George S. Patton died in a Heidelberg hospital in December 1945. For decades, three- and four-star generals came and went at Campbell Barracks. At peak times 20,000 soldiers and their families lived in Heidelberg.
In 2009, the Pentagon decided to reduce the number of American troops in Europe. This included the complete withdrawal from Heidelberg by the end of 2013.
For my guests who were stationed in Mannheim at the Coleman, Funari, Spinelli, Sullivan, Taylor, or Turley barracks or lived in Benjamin Franklin Village, I am happy to offer a personalized tour of these locations. Over the years, I have become friends with Marvin “Mr. Franklin” Kuhn, who has amassed a wonderful collection of memorabilia about the U.S. Army Garrison Mannheim. Every time my guests met him, it was a special moment for them. Marvin can also give you a tour of the exhibtion House of MӔMORIES.
American Presence Between 1945 and 2013
Throughout the Second World War, Heidelberg was one of the few larger cities in Germany that had been almost completely spared from Allied air raids. On March 30, 1945, the US Army announced in its official operation report: “The city of Heidelberg has surrendered without a fight.”
The US Army occupied the untouched Wehrmacht barracks “Großdeutschland-Kaserne” and renamed it Campbell Barracks. Heidelberg then became the headquarters of the American armed forces in Europe, the most important base of the US Army in Europe.
At times, 220,000 American soldiers were commanded from here. At the time, Heidelberg was considered the city of generals: Dwight D. Eisenhower, who later became president, resided here; George S. Patton died in a Heidelberg hospital in December 1945. For decades, three- and four-star generals came and went at Campbell Barracks. At peak times 20,000 soldiers and their families lived in Heidelberg.
In 2009, the Pentagon decided to reduce the number of American troops in Europe. This included the complete withdrawal from Heidelberg by the end of 2013.
For my guests who were stationed in Mannheim at the Coleman, Funari, Spinelli, Sullivan, Taylor, or Turley barracks or lived in Benjamin Franklin Village, I am happy to offer a personalized tour of these locations. Over the years, I have become friends with Marvin “Mr. Franklin” Kuhn, who has amassed a wonderful collection of memorabilia about the U.S. Army Garrison Mannheim. Every time my guests met him, it was a special moment for them. Marvin can also give you a tour of the exhibtion House of MӔMORIES.
A City of Science and Joie de Vivre
Today, Heidelberg is a cosmopolitan city with around 160,000 people from over 160 nations, 56,000 of whom have a migration background. It is a lively city with the youngest population in Germany. This is largely due to the fact that it has 40,000 students. The majority of them study at the University of Heidelberg.
Founded in 1386, Heidelberg University is the oldest in Germany and one of the oldest in the world. The university has a prestigious history and has been associated with many notable figures, including philosophers, scientists, and Nobel Prize winners. What also sets the university apart is its “Studentenkarzer” (Student Prison), where misbehaving students were once held.
A City of Science and Joie de Vivre
Today, Heidelberg is a cosmopolitan city with around 160,000 people from over 160 nations, 56,000 of whom have a migration background. It is a lively city with the youngest population in Germany. This is largely due to the fact that it has 40,000 students. The majority of them study at the University of Heidelberg.
Founded in 1386, Heidelberg University is the oldest in Germany and one of the oldest in the world. The university has a prestigious history and has been associated with many notable figures, including philosophers, scientists, and Nobel Prize winners. What also sets the university apart is its “Studentenkarzer” (Student Prison), where misbehaving students were once held.
Heidelberg is the Epitome of German Romanticism
Heidelberg is often referred to as one of the most romantic cities in Germany. Its scenic beauty, and historic charm make it an ideal destination for couples and anyone looking to experience the romantic side of Germany. It offers a blend of history, culture, and natural beauty, making it an ideal destination for travelers seeking both relaxation and intellectual enrichment. By exploring the city of Heidelberg with a friend who was born and raised here, you will see and experience much more than other tourists.
The following two short videos give you an impression of the architectural history of the Heidelberg Castle as well as its destruction in the Nine Year’s War:
1. Architectural history
2. Destruction
Where is Heidelberg?
Heidelberg
Reviews related to Heidelberg
My wife, sister, and brother-in-law recently had the pleasure of experiencing a private tour of Heidelberg, Germany, and it was absolutely fantastic! Our guide, Manfred Pitz, was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the city’s history. We were on a Viking Rhine River cruise and Manfred picked us up in a spacious van at the docked ship right on time. We started our tour with a visit to Heidelberg Castle, a majestic fortress perched atop a hill overlooking the city. Manfred brought the castle’s history to life with fascinating stories and insights. After exploring the castle, we drove down into the charming Old Town. We wandered through the narrow cobblestone streets, admired the colorful half-timbered houses, and even ran into Manfred’s daughter and dog. When Manfred calls his business “A friend in Heidelberg”, he isn’t kidding. He establishes an instant rapport and comfort level with you and his tour suggestions are geared towards what you are interested in. Manfred is passionate about Heidelberg and the surrounding region and with good reason. Our visit to Heidelberg with Manfred was one of the highlights of our trip. We highly recommend this private tour to anyone visiting Heidelberg. It was a personalized and informative experience that allowed us to see the city at our own pace. Whether you are just in the area or are on a river cruise (as we were) and are looking for a special shore excursion that is above and beyond what the ship offers, do contact A Friend in Heidelberg. Thank you, Manfred, for making our day so memorable! If we could give Manfred a sixth star we would!
From the heartland of the USA to beautiful Heidelberg, Germany!
We engaged with Manfred about 4 months earlier as we were exploring castles to see in Germany. Via emails and text messages, we were able to refine our itinerary and schedule with his help. He was very responsive with emails and texts and answered all our questions. We traveled to Heidelberg from Berlin and enjoyed seeing the German countryside. Heidelberg is a much smaller community with a very friendly and familiar feel. We started our day early with Manfred at his favorite breakfast location and talked about the plans for the day. We spent our morning at the Heidelberg Castle. Manfred is a wealth of knowledge and shared many interesting historical notes with us. We enjoyed lunch together before spending the afternoon in Old Town. We travelled in very comfortable style in Manfred’s van and always felt safe and well taken care of, as Manfred was very attentive to details. Manfred endeared himself to our family and I consider him a friend who I hope to visit again in the future. I would highly recommend Manfred to anyone considering a visit to the Heidelberg and surrounding area. He was a 10 out of 10!
Layover Tour with A friend from Heidelberg
We recently had an 8–10-hour layover in Frankfurt and decided to make the most of our time by visiting Heidelberg. Thanks to our exceptional tour guide, Manfred the entire experience was smooth, enjoyable, and worry-free. From the moment we stepped off the plane, Manfred was there to pick us up with a warm smile and a clear plan for the day. The pick-up from the airport was punctual, and the vehicle was comfortable, clean, and spacious, making for a relaxing drive to Heidelberg. Once we arrived, Manfred showcased a deep knowledge of Heidelberg’s history, culture, and hidden gems. They tailored the tour to our interests, ensuring we saw all the major sights like Heidelberg Castle, and the Old Town, and even had time for a leisurely walk along the Philosophers’ Walk. What stood out was Manfred’s ability to share fascinating stories and historical facts that brought the city to life, all while keeping an eye on the clock to ensure we stayed on schedule. Throughout the tour, Manfred was incredibly attentive, making sure we were comfortable and had everything we needed. He even took care of the small details, like recommending the best spots for photos, arranging a quick but delicious lunch, and ensuring we had enough time to explore without feeling rushed. The drop-off back at Frankfurt Airport was equally seamless. Manfred made sure we arrived with plenty of time to catch our next flight, allowing us to relax and reflect on what had been a truly wonderful experience. Manfred (a friend in Heidelberg) made our layover in Frankfurt an absolute pleasure. If you’re considering a layover tour of Heidelberg, we highly recommend Manfred for an unforgettable and hassle-free experience.
A Wonderful Day in Heidelberg
Traveling with a group of 6, we elected to hire Manfred for a day’s tour of Heidelberg. Manfred picked us up from our Viking River Cruise ship and drove us into Heidelberg. He dropped us off at the upper entrance to the castle, where he provided a very detailed and interesting overview and tour of the castle. From there he transported us to a restaurant outside the town for lunch, where he ordered a collection of authentic German dishes, which we all sampled and thoroughly enjoyed. We spent the afternoon exploring the historic areas of the town and eventually he returned us to the ship. We found Manfred to be very personable, easy to interact with, and having lived a large part of his life in Heidelberg, very knowledgeable regarding the history and culture of the area. In addition, as US citizens, the fact that Manfred had also lived and worked in the US for several years, made our interaction very easy. We also appreciated his professionalism, quickly responding to written correspondence including texts and email. If you contact him or have a question, he is exceptionally responsive. In summary, all 6 of us were very happy with our experience and would use his services again without hesitation.
My return to Heidelberg
We had a delightful time on the Heidelberg tour. Manfred goes to considerable lengths to create a personal, individualized experience. My return to Heidelberg was twofold, see Heidelberg but also return to the base housing where I lived as a child. Manfred grew up near the base housing. He provided great insight in what has transpired over the last sixty years. 29‑D Holbeinring was still there after all these years. A bucket list item to visit. As children, we loved German Brötchen and thought it was a specific bread, not understanding the term is generic in nature (small rolls). Manfred found humor in this and took us to a local bakery to see the difference. We sample Brötchen and some cookies. Wonderful! Manfred is a plethora of history and information, at times, stopping on the side of the road to point out things and provide insight. Heidelberg is a beautiful city and we saw it all. Manfred introduced us to a German wine expert at the Heidelberg castle. Very interesting and of course we had to try the wine. Outstanding. Take the tour. You’ll get an insider’s view of the city and Manfred will take great care of you.