Originally posted by Jack_Simpson I notice you are from Heidelberg....a great (little-ish) city I visited a few times...
"many,many,many,many" years ago....with "many,many,many" being Way Back in the mid-70's to early 80's
I climbed up to the castle, had a few beers in the Rote Oschen(sp?) and stayed in the YH beside the Zoo
Heidelberg has changed quite a bit since the early 80's, Jack. While much of the downtown area has remained the same, portions of the castle have been further restored, there is a new section of town featuring ultra modern glass buildings, and the overall town itself has expanded in all directions. However, Heidelberg remains one of the most attractive locations in Germany, mainly due to it's unique combination of the castle, the Hauptstrasse (pedestrian shopping street), the Neckar river, the classic bridges, buildings and churches, the surrounding Odenwald (hills), the University with it's many students, the relaxed atmosphere, and more. There is very much to see and photograph.
Tonight was the "lighting of the castle," an event started in 1613 when Prince Frederic V welcomed the English Princess Elizabeth Stuart, his new bride, to Heidleberg. That event featured fireworks and the castle illuminated with bright colors. That later evolved into the modern event with the castle walls illuminated with blood red floodlights to simulate fires, and a fireworks show, as a reminder of the 1693 French invasion which destroyed the castle and much of the city. The all-day event features an open market earlier in the day and celebrations downtown and along the river bank well into the evening.
The US Army sponsored my first 2 year vacation to Germany in the early 70's. We (my wife and I) returned to Germany in the late 70's, staying in Heidelberg for nine years. We returned once again two years ago and intend to stay at least another three.
stewart