The Old Bridge, also called the Karl Theodor Bridge, links the Old Town to the north bank of the Neckar and has been the city's signature viewpoint for more than two centuries. The stone bridge that stands today dates from the late eighteenth century and replaced a long line of wooden predecessors that floods and ice kept destroying. At its Old Town end stand the twin towers of the bridge gate, whose medieval origins still show in their stone, and halfway across the river the castle appears above the rooftops in the view every visitor wants. Near the gate you will find the bronze Bridge Monkey, made by the sculptor Gernot Rumpf and put up in 1979, a modern successor to a monkey figure first recorded at the bridge in the fifteenth century. It costs nothing to cross, it is open at all hours, and it is at its prettiest when the evening light hits the castle.
The Bridge Monkey comes with its own rituals. Locals and visitors stroke the mirror in its hand for prosperity, the outstretched fingers to be sure of coming back to Heidelberg, and the little bronze mice around it for many children. Look closely and you will see the monkey holds up its mirror to anyone who stops, a joke on vanity that has survived centuries. Queues of photographers form here in summer, so go early for a clear shot.
The best views come from both ends and the middle. From the Old Town side, pause at the bridge gate for the towers and the castle together, then walk to the center for the broad sweep of river and hill. Cross to the north bank and look back for the classic angle of the Old Town stacked up against the slope, with the Church of the Holy Spirit tower and the castle ruins above.
A path leads off the north end of the bridge to the Schlangenweg, the steep serpentine path that climbs to the Philosophers' Walk.
A few practical points
The bridge is pedestrian and cyclists share it, so watch for bikes, and the pavement can be slippery in frost. In the evening the castle is lit and the bridge fills with people, which makes it lively rather than quiet. The riverside lawns on the north bank are a nice place to sit with a snack in milder weather, and the Steingasse in the Old Town, right at the foot of the bridge, has traditional taverns for a warm meal afterwards.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided walk across the Neckar with stops at the bridge gate towers and the bronze Bridge Monkey.
Best time
Early morning for empty photos, or the hour before dusk when the castle glows above the river.
How long
Thirty minutes for a crossing and photos, an hour if you continue up the Schlangenweg.
Tips
Stroke the monkey for luck, take the view from the north bank as well as the bridge, and watch for cyclists. Wear shoes with grip in cold weather.
Quick picks
- Best for
- First-time visitors who want the classic photograph and a short, free walk.
- Families
- Children enjoy the monkey and the mice, and the walk is short and flat.
- Couples
- Cross at dusk when the castle lights come on, then eat in the Steingasse.
- Pair with
- The Philosophers' Walk, Heidelberg Castle and the Steingasse taverns.
- Time needed
- Half an hour for the bridge, more if you climb to the Philosophers' Walk.
Good questions
Is it free to cross the Old Bridge?+
Yes, the Old Bridge is a public crossing and free at any hour. It is shared by pedestrians and cyclists.
What is the Bridge Monkey?+
It is a bronze sculpture from 1979 by Gernot Rumpf, recalling a medieval monkey figure that once stood at the bridge. Touching its mirror is said to bring wealth, and its outstretched fingers a return to Heidelberg.
Where is the best view of the bridge?+
The north bank gives the classic view of the bridge, the Old Town and the castle together. The Philosophers' Walk gives an even higher panorama.
How old is the Old Bridge?+
The present stone bridge dates from the late eighteenth century and replaced several wooden bridges lost to floods and ice. It was damaged at the end of the Second World War and rebuilt.
How do I reach the Philosophers' Walk from here?+
Cross to the north bank and follow the signs to the Schlangenweg, the steep serpentine path that begins just above the bridge. It climbs to the Philosophers' Walk in about twenty minutes.
