A Day Without Trains

Today we decided to stay at home and explore the medieval university town of Heidelberg.  First stop the Alte Brücke.  Built in the 1700's, this bridge was the entry point to medieval Heidelberg. 

The bridge is famous for three statues - one of the Prince Elector Karl, one of the Godess Athena and one of a monkey.  

We then headed down the longest pedestrian shopping street in Europe, Hauptstrasse, approximately 1 1/2 miles long.  About half way down we detoured to the university and checked out the Bibliotech.

Heidelberg has been long famous for its prestigious university which has stood here since the 16th century.  One of its more famous deans was Robert Bunsen of burner fame.  Meanwhile, back on the Hauptstrasse we noticed the further we went the cutsie little boutique shops were being replaced by larger international chains.  We headed back to our hotel for an afternoon of relaxing and people watching.  

For dinner we went to a Brauhaus which was extremely popular.  The interior was decorated with real birch trees.  It was like having dinner in a Bev Doolittle painting.