Heidelberg Castle is the most famous Renaissance structure north of the Alps

The earliest structure was built before 1214. Frederick V from the Germàn monarch married Elizabeth Stuart of Bohemia in an arranged marriage at the age of 16 yrs old. He added on to the Roman castle making it into a showplace of a palace for his new bride. 

Day 5 of the Father Rhein cruise to Heidelberg Germany

Walking through the Arch de Triumph to the Heidelberg Castle. Our tour guide was from Atlanta GA and married a German man who teaches at a university in Heidelberg. We learned a lot about the German culture.  The people of Germàny like rules and predictability and want to obey the rules. They have a lot of security as the guide put it similar to Canada and Australia.  University tuition is free since WW2 even to outsiders.

Entrance into a tunnel

Hitler had these built to look like castles knowing that the Allies would not bomb historic or religious structures. From an airplane this structure may look like a castle.

And even more eye candy along the Rhine

More eye candy along the Middle Rhine

Note vineyards above the town. The steep grape fields are harvested by hand.

Top floor of the ship central circulation area

Note skylights above with roof deck above.

Center circulation stair on the middle floor