The castle view
The castle appears whole directly above the square with nothing blocking it — the best photo angle.
Martin Kraft — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Rijksmuseum — CC0 · Jorge Franganillo — CC BY 4.0 · Daderot — CC0
The Kornmarkt is a small square in the old town a few steps from the market square, once a grain market. At its centre stands a gilded eighteenth-century figure of the Virgin, put up during an attempt to bring Catholicism back to this Protestant town. Its importance for visitors is that it is the best place in the old town to photograph the castle: the square opens towards the hill, so the castle appears whole directly above you with no buildings in the way. The funicular up to the castle also starts from here.
The castle appears whole directly above the square with nothing blocking it — the best photo angle.
A gilded eighteenth-century figure at the centre, with a religious and political story behind it.
From here the car climbs to the castle and on to the hilltop above it.
Kornmarkt, 69117 Heidelberg
Heidelberg Market SquareThe Marktplatz is the heart of Heidelberg's old town, ringed by the Church of th1 minute walk4.5
KarlsplatzKarlsplatz is a quiet square in Heidelberg's old town near the market square, an1 minute walk4.7
Church of the Holy SpiritThe Heiliggeistkirche stands dead-centre in the market square — old Heidelberg's2 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 walk4.8
The Bridge MonkeyThe Bridge Monkey is a bronze figure at the entrance to Heidelberg's Old Bridge.3 minutes walk4.5Because the square opens towards the hill with no tall buildings in the way, so the castle shows whole above you. From the main street the houses hide it, and from the old bridge it looks distant. Here it is close and complete.
By the funicular from the station on the square — the easiest and quickest way, taking a few minutes. Or on foot, a climb of about twenty minutes that needs some fitness. Tickets are bought at the station and may include castle entry.
Fifteen minutes for the square and photographs. A brief stop, but an important one if you want a good picture of the castle before going up to it.