Romantic Rhine - Castles Galore and Picturesque Heidelberg (repost with spell correct....grrrr!)

The Middle Rhine, from Bonn to Bingen, flows through the Rhine Gorge, which averages 430 feet from the waterline to the top of the rocks.

With no less than 40 castles and fortresses between Koblenz and Bingen, it's easy to understand why this stretch is called the Romantic Rhine and is a UNESCO Heritage Site.

Heidelberg was a particular treat. In 1944 the US dropped leaflets promising not bomb the city and their plans to live there, which they did until the US army base closed in 2013. Today people from dozens of nations live in this city of 154,000.

Heidelberg Castle's construction began in 1294 and continued through the 1700's. Although now much deteriorated, this medieval castle was the country's capital until overtaken by the French 300 years ago when the capital was moved to Mann where a Versailles-like palace was built, reflecting the influence of the French at that time. 

Victor Hugo in 1838 wrote "What times it has been through! Five hundred years long it has been victim to all that has  shaken Europe ....it has always taken up some opposition to the powerful." Still it stands in defiance of time marching on and can't help but remind you of days gone by. 

Today "Heidelberger Schloss" draws close to three million tourists annually. The main building has a unique facade and houses the worlds largest wine cask, which can hold over 58,000 gallons. Perkeo, a court jester and Herculean drinker of wine, is its eternal guardian.   

Views from the castle fortress provide a near birds' eye view of this picturesque city and its multiple bridges across the Rhine-Neckar River. The bridges were destroyed by the Germans in an unsuccessful attempt to slow the Americans from taking Heidelberg in 1945 and where the US army remained on its base until 2013.

MIT's delegation gives Heidelberg a definite thumbs up. 

 

Heidelberg has inspired many including Brahms, Schuman, Turner and Mark Twain writes of Heidelberg in his Trip Abroad - must reading for any traveler. 

Goethe at 75 is quoted as saying after finding his 29 year old love - Here was I loved and beloved - or - "Hier war ich glucklich liebend und gelebt." So, if you happen to be looking for love, maybe Heidelberg is a place to visit.