The ruins of Heidelberg Palace rise up on a terrace of the Königsstuhl protruding toward the Neckar river valley. Originally a castle stood here, which came into the possession of Duke Ludwig von Bayern when he was invested with the fief of the Palatinate in 1225.
Up to the Thirty Years' War one of the most magnificent German courts resided here. Over the centuries the bustling building activity of the palgraves resulted in an ensemble of representative palace and garden architecture with great artistic achievements in the style of the Renaissance. In contrast to other residences, no comprehensive, uniform palace project was realized in Heidelberg. Instead, each of the electors added their own separate palaces to the ensemble.
Elector Ruprecht III (ruled 1398-1410) became the first German king. He built the "Ruprechtsbau" (Ruprecht Building), the oldest residential building still recognizable.
Under Elector Ludwig V (ruled 1508-1544), the defensive structures and domestic building were renewed. Apparently the strengthening of the castle had priority over any comfort.
The glass "Saalbau" (Hall Building), which marks the architectural transition from the Gothic Period to the Renaissance, was completed under Elector Friedrich II (ruled 1544-56).
With the "Ottheinrichsbau" (Ottoheinrich Building) his successor, Elector Ottheinrich (ruled 1556-1559), built one of the most beautiful Renaissance palaces north of the Alps.
The facade of the "Friedrichsbau" (Friedrich Building) is adorned with 16 elaborate statues of princes, which Friedrich IV had erected during his reign (1592-1610).
Under Elector Friedrich V (the "Winter King", ruled 1610-1632) the world-famous palace gardens (Hortus Palatinus), the "Englische Bau" (English Building) and the "Elisabethentor" (Elisabethan Gate) in honor of his wife, the Stuart daughter Elisabeth, were built. His buildings are among the most original built at a German princely court at that time. In order to have sufficient space for his buildings, Friedrich V reduced the fortified character of the palace, for example by having the defensive trenches filled in.