Heiligenberg and Thingstätte
Auf dem Heiligenberg
About
Dating back to when the Celts settled here in 400 B.C., the mountain located on the edge of Heidelberg, known as Heligenberg, is a must-see for nature and history enthusiasts alike. The mountain reaches a height of only 330 m (1,083 ft.), but the views from atop the peak are well worth any traveler's time. The easiest way up is by car, taking the well-labeled, winding road from Handschuhsheim, one of Heidelberg's historic districts. An approximately 1-hour hike from the Old Bridge to the top is well worth the effort for anyone looking for some exercise, and the views of the Rhine Valley make for some wonderful photo opportunities. Once at the top, we recommend climbing the stairs of the Thingstätte, a stadium built during the Nazi period and still used for concerts today. Just beyond the last stairs at edge of the stadium are the ruins of Michael's Cloister, thought to have been built somewhere around 80 A.D., a perfect place for a picnic on a warm, sunny day.
