Heidelberg: the historic uni-city

Few university cities can match the historical significance of Heidelberg. With its famous castle and beautiful setting, not to mention its world-renowned university, the town is popular with both students and those recent graduates who just can't seem to leave.

Heidelberg introduced

Heidelberg Brücke, Photo: Flickr (cc) Mónica Heidelberg's distinguishing features are its beautiful scenery and its university. Located in the north of Baden-Württenberg, with a population of 143,000, the town sits along the Neckar river valley. On one side of the valley, the ruins of Heidelberg Castle overlook the historic Altstadt; on the other side is the Odenwald, a mountainous region that offers the intrepid explorer acres of nature. So if you love rural settings - and you're looking for a world class university - then Heidelberg may be the perfect place for you.
Thanks to its position as a university town, and to the fact it is home to several Max Plank institutes for research, Heidelberg is heralded as a hot business location for biotechnology as well as other fields of research and development. Heidelberg is also home to world-renowned companies such as Heidelberg Druckmaschinen AG and MLP AG.
The close relationship between industry and university makes Heidelberg a great place for young professionals to begin their careers. With so many students in one area, the education-to-industry transfer is very strong.

Overview of the universities

Ruprecht Karls University (University of Heidelberg)
Heidelberg University is the oldest university in Germany. Since its founding in 1386 by Elector Ruprecht I of the Palatinate, it has been through a number of transformations. Destroyed in the Thirty Years War, it was re-established by Karl Friedrich of Baden, a process which started in 1803. Today, it is a flourishing institution with 26,000 degree seekers.
With over five thousand foreign students, it is also one of Germany's leaders in international higher education. Although its focus on humanities has been a key area since its founding, the uni also enjoys great success in the sciences and medicine - in fact, it has been successful in its bid for funding lines of Germany's Initiative for Excellence, a scheme that makes funding available to worthy academic clusters and graduate programs.

Fachhochschule Heidelberg (University of Applied Sciences Heidelberg)
A private institution that enrolls some 1,110 students, FH Heidelberg offers programs in engineering and architecture not offered by the main university.

Hochschule for Jewish Studies (HfJS)
A unique institution in Germany that offers various courses in Jewish studies. HfJS has a relationship with Heidelberg University that allows its 110 students to combine their studies with programs offered by the university.

Hochschule for Church Music
An institution with the special focus of educating its 540 students in the field of church music.

Hochschule for education
This institution prepares over 4,000 students to be Germany's future educators.

What Heidelberg is like

When the streets are crowded with tourists, the Philosophenweg, a walking trail on the other side of the valley, is a great retreat. Enjoy the natural surroundings and great views. Another popular place for students is the Marstallmensa. It's not a typical mensa (cafeteria), but houses a bar, restaurant and café and also hosts concerts and discos. The courtyard of the medieval brick building has ample seating and is a great place to study or hang out.

Did you know?

Did you know that the inventor of the bicycle, Karl Drais, went to university in Heidelberg? And in the literary world, Mark Twain not only studied in the city, but wrote A Tramp Abroad about his experiences in Germany - he even mentions the Heidelberg Castle.

Things to check out

Heidelberger Schloss, Photo: Flickr (cc) kramboner The castle may be a major historic site, but it also offers modern attractions that include a restaurant, café and even a theater. While you are there, enjoy a pleasant walk through the courtyard in the picturesque setting of the Neckar Valley - a sight that has inspired poets and writers from Goethe to Twain.

What's happening?

Whether you're sitting by the Neckar River watching crew boats paddle by, or reading a book in the courtyard of Heidelberg Castle, the city offers many opportunities to relax. There are also lots of events including the Heidelberg spring concert.

Being a university town, Heidelberg also has its fair share of nightlife. Unterstraße is a strip in the Altstadt (old downtown area) that has enough bars and pubs to satisfy everyone's tastes. Be sure to check out the Distille on Unterstraße where you can enjoy (or even buy) art work from local artists. Meanwhile, Karlstorbahnhof is a former railway station that has been transformed into a venue for theater, live music, political discussions and poetry slams.
The Amerika House of Heidelberg also hosts numerous cultural events.