Church of the Holy Spirit & Marktplatz
Heiliggeistkirche
The Gothic cathedral in the heart of the old town, once home to the famous Palatine Library, with a tower offering views over the rooftops.
The Church of the Holy Spirit was built between 1398 and 1515 and is Heidelberg's largest church. Its tall baroque spire defines the old town skyline. The church once served as the burial church of the Electors Palatine, and its galleries housed the Palatine Library, then among Germany's most important libraries, which was taken to Rome as war booty during the Thirty Years' War. Small shops are tucked between the church's outer walls, a medieval feature. For a fee you can climb the tower (about 200 steps) for views over Marktplatz, the castle and the Neckar River. In front of the church, Marktplatz has the Hercules Fountain and a baroque town hall. A farmers' market takes place on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. Across the square, the Haus zum Ritter (1592), one of the few Renaissance buildings in the old town to survive the wars, is now a hotel.
Opening hours
Approx. Mon–Sat 11:00–17:00; Sun 12:30–17:00 (confirm on site)
Nearby sights
- Haus zum Ritter
- Friedrich Ebert Memorial
- Jesuit Church
- Old Bridge (Karl Theodor Bridge)
- Kornmarkt
- Heidelberg University & Student Prison
- Heidelberg Christmas Market
- Hauptstrasse