Germany
Heidelberg Castle
D-69117 Heidelberg Germany
Tel: 49 (0) 62-21-53-84-14
Website: www.cvb-heidelberg.de
The majestic Heidelberg Castle in southwestern Germany sits on a hillside overlooking the Neckar River in the valley below. Prince Elector Ruprecht III built the first part of the castle between 1398 and 1410 to serve as a regal residence in the inner courtyard. Years later, other major buildings were added on to the castle. Fountain Hall was erected between 1476 and 1508 by Prince Elector Phillipp, and, in coming centuries, other rulers added on to the fortress. The castle saw plenty of turmoil: it was destroyed during the 30 Years' War (1619-1649), it was rebuilt by Prince Elector Karl Ludwig between 1649 and 1680, and it was brought to ruin again by French troops in the latter half of the 1600s. After a third rebuilding attempt in the mid-1700s, a lightning bolt wrought heavy damage to a large section of the castle. The building was abandoned and was slowly pillaged for building materials so the town of Heidelberg could grow. In 1800, the pilfering stopped, and the castle slowly returned to its splendor. The castle is located very close to an area of religious importance. Could spirits from a bygone area have been plaguing the castle all of those centuries, helping the misfortunes along?
In the valley, just across the river, there is an area of religious significance dating back to the Celtic era. The area holds Celtic ruins, Roman ruins, and even the ruins of a theater built by the Nazis during the 1930s. Locals have reported hearing wailing voices from the castle through the valley. Others have seen hooded apparitions walking between the castle and the sacred site.