Germany: Heidelberg – Old Town

Heidelberg is a medieval German town dating back as far as 769 AD – a monastery was founded on a hill above the river. Over the following centuries, the strategic location led to reinforcement and construction of a large town and a massive defensive fortress above it, as various European monarchs possessed the land over the ages. The town today is a pleasant cobblestone old town with narrow streets, large squares, cafe and restaurants, a beautiful old bridge and town gates, and fantastic views up the hill toward the fortress pretty much from anywhere.