The Church of the Holy Spirit
A large Gothic church on the square, free to enter, with a tower climb for a nominal fee.
Daderot — CC0 · Jorge Franganillo — CC BY 4.0 · trolvag — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Avi1111 dr. avishai teicher — CC BY-SA 4.0
The Marktplatz is the heart of Heidelberg's old town, ringed by the Church of the Holy Spirit, the town hall and old houses now turned into cafés and restaurants that spread their tables outside. The square was the centre of town life from the Middle Ages: a goods market, and a place of executions too. At its centre stands the eighteenth-century Hercules fountain. Today it is the best place in Heidelberg to sit and watch people, with the castle looking down from the hill directly above, making a backdrop to every photograph.
A large Gothic church on the square, free to enter, with a tower climb for a nominal fee.
An eighteenth-century fountain at the centre — the usual meeting point.
The best place in Heidelberg to sit and watch the world, with the castle behind.
Marktplatz, 69117 Heidelberg
Church of the Holy SpiritThe Heiliggeistkirche stands dead-centre in the market square — old Heidelberg's1 minute walk4.7
KornmarktThe Kornmarkt is a small square in the old town a few steps from the market squa1 minute walk4.6
The Bridge MonkeyThe Bridge Monkey is a bronze figure at the entrance to Heidelberg's Old Bridge.2 minutes walk4.5
Friedrich Ebert MemorialThis house is where Friedrich Ebert was born in 1871 — Germany's first elected p2 minutes walk4.7
Documentation Centre of German Sinti and RomaThis centre is the world's first permanent museum devoted to the genocide of the2 minutes walk4.8Yes — the tower of the Church of the Holy Spirit on the square can be climbed for a nominal fee, a narrow stair ending in a fine view over the old town roofs, the castle and the river. Cheaper and quieter than most viewpoints.
The location is excellent and the atmosphere pleasant, but prices are touristy. For better food at lower prices, walk a lane or two off the square, where residents and students eat.
Half an hour for the square and church, longer if you sit in a café or climb the tower. It is in the middle of the old town, so you will pass through it more than once during your day.