Timeline

Since 1155

 

the oldest castle and the settlement comes into the possession of the Hohenstaufens under Palgrave Konrad.

1196

 

 "Heidelberch" is mentioned in a document for the first time.

1225

 

Duke Ludwig von Bayern obtains the Palatinate, and thus also the castle, which is mentioned in a document. In 1303 two castles are mentioned, of which the one located further up the mountain is destroyed in a gunpowder explosion in 1537. The Palace is then built at the site of the lower castle.

1359

 

 The palgraves are granted far-reaching rights in the "Golden Bull" in addition to the becoming electors.

1386

 

The oldest university in Germany today is founded in Heidelberg by Elector Ruprecht I.

1400

 

Elector Ruprecht III becomes king, calling himself Ruprecht I von der Pfalz.

1508-44

 

Elector Ludwig V renews the defensive structures and domestic building of the Palace.

1537

 

 A lightning bolt destroys the upper castle.

1556-59

 

Elector Ottheinrich has probably the most beautiful Renaissance palace north of the Alps built.

1610

 

The famous Palace Gardens (Hortus Palatinus) are laid out and the "Englischer Bau" (English Building) and the "Elisabethentor" (Elisabethan Gate) are erected by Elector Friedrich V.

1619

 

The Protestant Diet in Bohemia elects Friedrich V King.

1620

 

He is defeated in the "Schlacht am Weißen Berge" (Battle on White Mountain) by the Emperor and simultaneously loses his title as Elector and King.

1622

 

 The imperial general Tilly conquers the town and palace in Heidelberg.

1623

 

The imperial forces carry off the famous "Palatinate Library" (Biblioteca Palatina, today at the Vatican) as war-booty. The Palatinate looses three-quarters of its population in the war.

1649

 

The Peace of Westphalia is concluded; the Palatinate is granted a new electorship. Elector Karl Ludwig has the Palace and University renewed.

1685

 

The Pfalz-Simmer line dies out with Elector Karl II. King Louis XIV of France raises hereditary claim for his sister-in-law Liselotte von der Pfalz without her consent. The War of Palatinate Succession begins.

1688/89

 

The French troops take Heidelberg in the course of the War of Palatinate Succession and destroy the Palace, the town and villages and towns in the Rhine valley before retreating.

1693

 

Louis' troops occupy Heidelberg again, blow up all fortifications and burn the town to the ground.

From 1697

 

the residents of Heidelberg return to the town and begin with rebuilding.

1720

 

The residence of the Elector is moved to Mannheim.

From 1742

 

Elector Karl Theodor begins rebuilding the Palce.

From 1764

 

a lightning bolt destroys other palace buildings during rebuilding, causing the work to be discontinued.

1803

 

Heidelberg falls to the Grand Duchy of Baden. Karl Friedrich has the university refounded.

From 1810

 

the French emigrant Charles Graf von Graimberg begins with the preservation of the palace ruins and the establishment of a historical collection.

1848

 

A conference in Heidelberg votes to convene a German national assembly in Frankfurt.

1860

 

The Palace is illuminated with "Bengal lights" for the first time.

Around 1900

 

Restorations and historicizing interior work are carried out on the palace.

1945

 

The city is turned over to American military leaders undamaged. The university is reopened.

Since 1987

 

the Administration of the State-Owned Palaces and Gardens of Baden-Württemberg is responsible for Heidelberg Palace.

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Technische Beratung, Gestaltung, Konzept und Umsetzung: Ralf Gatzki und Friederike Rook