Heidelberg, a city that touches the heart.
I first learned about Heidelberg from printing presses. At that time, a small printing factory would boast for a long time if it had a Heidelberg printing press.
Heidelberg is not only the origin of high-precision printing presses, but also has many other things to boast about - Heidelberg University, Heidelberg Old Town, Heidelberg Castle, Old Bridge... I was fortunate enough to visit them all this time.
Heidelberg has been a popular tourist destination in Germany for many years, and the city is considered the epitome of German Romanticism.
Heidelberg Old Town is built along the river and is long and narrow. The streets, alleys, and main buildings all retain their original simplicity. The main street is Hauptstrasse, which is about 1.6 kilometers long. My tour started from this pedestrian street. The street is paved with oval stones and is narrow and winding.
In the center of the pedestrian street is a place called University Square. This is the famous Heidelberg University, which is as famous as the city itself. It became a center of European science and culture as early as the 16th century, and the famous philosopher Hegel graduated from this university.
Unlike universities in China, there are no gates or plaques here. I could only stand in University Square and look up and down, carefully savoring the atmosphere of this top 200 university in the world.
The landmark of Heidelberg is a reddish-brown ancient castle built on the huge King's Throne Mountain. Originally built in the 13th century, it has been expanded several times throughout history, forming a mixture of Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance styles. The entire castle has high walls, towers, palaces, and English gardens. It was once one of the largest castles in Europe. It was destroyed during the Thirty Years' War, and most of it is now in ruins.
Mark Twain said of Heidelberg Castle: "Ruined but still majestic, like King Lear in a storm." Today, I can take a cable car up the mountain, get close to the once magnificent castle, and admire the now dilapidated beauty. At the same time, I can overlook the entire Heidelberg Old Town from the observation deck, experiencing the confluence of beauty and historical treasures on the World Heritage Site.
The Old Bridge of the Neckar River is a counterpart to the Heidelberg Castle on the mountain. It is the finishing touch to Heidelberg's natural beauty. It has nine arches and was built in 1788. On the south bank of the river, there is a bridgehead standing tall. On the left side, there is a bronze monkey statue holding a bronze mirror. It is said that touching the bronze mirror in the monkey's hand will bring good luck. There is also a statue of the goddess of wisdom on the bridgehead.
I walked across the arch bridge and looked south: a breathtakingly beautiful Heidelberg landscape of old bridges, long rivers, green mountains, and ancient castles.
Over the past 800 years, many great poets and artists have visited this place, and their biographies have never omitted Heidelberg. No world literature history book can omit Heidelberg.
Mark Twain said Heidelberg was "the most beautiful place he had ever been";
The poet Goethe "lost his heart in Heidelberg".
Before I got on the bus to leave, I caught a glimpse of a beautiful girl by the river, holding a bottle in her hand, dancing and walking forward. Drunk?
No! Heidelberg is a city that touches the heart.