The old stone bridge facing the castle
Crossing the Neckar means passing through a double-tower gate before stepping onto a long slab of red sandstone. From there, the view climbs toward Heidelberg Castle, perched above the old town, and meets the heights of the Philosophenweg opposite.
Why visit the Old Bridge
The current bridge dates from 1786 to 1788, built under the rule of Prince-Elector Karl Theodor, who gave it his name. Eight bridges had preceded it at this exact location, all swept away by floods or wars. This one stands as the first built entirely of stone, and the only one that held firm.
It spans 200 metres and rests on eight red sandstone piers, using the exact same stone as the castle itself. The medieval gate on the old town side was once part of the urban rampart and could be sealed with a portcullis in the event of a siege.
Statues, a saint, and a bronze monkey
The second pier holds a statue of Karl Theodor, while the seventh features Pallas Athene, both carved by court sculptor Franz Konrad Linck. On the north bank, a monument honors Saint John Nepomucene, the traditional patron saint of bridges.
Since 1979, a small bronze sculpture of a monkey, the Brückenaffe, has anchored the south end of the bridge. It has grown into one of the most popular photo spots along the crossing.
A bridge destroyed, then returned to the city
At the close of World War II, retreating German troops partially blew up the bridge to stall the advance of Allied forces. It was rebuilt and reopened in July 1947, restoring the exact shape of the 18th-century structure.
How long for this activity
Plan on 30 to 45 minutes to cross the 200 metres of the bridge, check out the statues, and take in the views over the Neckar.
This bridge, which we also call the Old Bridge, is a symbol of Heidelberg. It is very old and has lovely, typical architecture. You can walk across it to reach the other bank, which is quieter and greener. It is very pleasant to take a walk there when the weather is nice.