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Heidelberg - Heidelberg is situated in Baden-Württemberg by the Neckar River in southwest Germany.

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University town - This picturesque European town is the location of Germany's oldest university, which, in fact, is also one of the world's oldest surviving universities. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 3.0 PL)

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Architecture - The Old Town is renowned for its romantic cityscape and baroque style architecture.  (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0)

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Heidelberg Castle - The ruins of the castle rate among the most important Renaissance structures in the region. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 3.0)

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Heidelberg Castle - Construction began in 1214. Over the centuries, however, the castle was damaged by wars, fires, and lightning bolts. Much of the structure was demolished in the 17th and 18th centuries.

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Heidelberg Castle - Check out the fine period detail that characterizes much of the castle's courtyard facade. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY 2.0)

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Castle residents - The castle's list of famous residents includes Frederick V, Elizabeth Charlotte, Princess Palatine, and the celebrated French copperplate engraver Count Charles de Graimberg.

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German Pharmacy Museum - This engaging museum is housed within the castle and chronicles the story of pharmacy in Germany. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC 2.0)

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Old Town - Known in German as Altstadt, Heidelberg's charming Old Town is where you want to stay to fully absorb the destination's history and culture. Mind you, it can get rather chilly mid-winter.

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Karl Theodor Bridge - Better known as the Old Bridge, this cherished Heidelberg landmark was built in 1788.

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Karl Theodor Bridge - Look out for German sculptor Gernot Rumpf's monkey, placed on the bridge in 1979. The original stone-carved primate was destroyed during the Nine Years' War (1688–97). (Photo: Wikimedia/CC0 1.0)

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Bridge gate - The bridge gate (brückentor) at the south end of the bridge dates back to the Middle Ages. The Baroque tower helmets were added as part of the erection of the stone bridge in the 18th century.

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Heidelberg University - The university was founded in 1386. The library (pictured) holds about 3.2 million books. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 2.0)

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University Library - Pictured is the library's ornate facade. The main library building was constructed in 1905.

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University prison - Until 1914, misbehaving college students were locked up in the university's private prison for days or weeks at a time. The "cells" are open to the public. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY 2.0)

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Market Square - The Old Town's social hub is Market Square (Marktplatz), which is lined with traditional restaurants and cafes.

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Market Square at nightfall - The square is equally appealing at dusk, when the Old Town is illuminated. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

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Heidelberg after dark - In fact, the town takes on a magical appearance as the sun sets. Head for this vantage point for an Instagram shot you won't forget.

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Congress and cultural center - Pictured is the main entrance to the early 20th-century Stadthalle, the town's congress center. Note the Art Nouveau architectural elements. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY 2.0)

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Hotel zum Ritter St. Georg - For a genuine sense of occasion, book a plush room in this historic hotel, housed in an ornate, late-Renaissance mansion. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY 2.5)

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Church of the Jesuits - Consecrated in 1759, the exterior is the only surviving part of the original church, although the central altar painting inside also dates back to the mid-18th century. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 3.0)

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Kurpfälzisches Museum - Heidelberg's art and archaeology museum (in English, the "Museum of the Palatinate") features paintings, sculptures, and the comprehensive Max Berk Textile Collection.

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Philosophers' Walk - Follow this fabled path, which runs along Heiligenberg (Saints' Mountain) and be rewarded with fine scenic views of the Old Town and castle. Further up are the ruins of the Monastery of St. Michael.

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Monastery of St. Michael - Built in early 1023, the atmospheric ruins lie near the top of the Heiligenberg. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 4.0)

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Saints' Mountain - The Old Town and castle, as seen from the Heiligenberg viewpoint. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY 3.0)

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Heidelberg Zoo - A fun-filled diversion is the town's modest zoological park. Residents include this handsome black swamp lynx, also known as the jungle cat. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

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Church of the Holy Spirit - Seen here in the depths of winter is the most famous church in Heidelberg. Construction began in the early 15th century, though the baroque spire was added in 1709.

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Print Media Academy - One contemporary building set outside the Old Town and worth mentioning is the striking Print Media Academy. On the forecourt is the S-Printing Horse (detail pictured), the largest horse sculpture in the world. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-ND 2.0)

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Schwetzingen Palace - Located near Heidelberg, Schwetzingen Palace hosts the annual Schwetzingen Festival (late May to early June), but is worth an excursion any time of the year.

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