Without the structures built by Ludwig V on the east side of the palace courtyard, life at Heidelberg Castle would have been impossible. All the baking and cooking took place behind these simple walls. This was also the site of important storage spaces for food as well as munitions.
Sculpture of Prince-Elector Ludwig V in the Ruprecht’s Wing.
Prince-Elector Ludwig V, who ruled between 1508 and 1544, had already had a simple residence built on the right side of the palace courtyard in 1524. The Ludwig’s Wing was three stories high and could be accessed via the surviving stair tower at the center of the building. Today, the entire left side is missing. Prince-Elector Ottheinrich had the entire wing torn down in 1556 for use in his new Ottheinrich’s Wing.
The bakehouse in the economy Wing.
Ludwig V had a simple functional building, the economy Wing, built next to his residence. This is where the tailor, storage rooms and kitchen were housed. The remnant of a massive oven is an impressive feature in the historic bakehouse. Today, rustic regional dishes are served here. A simple "knights' feast" awaits groups.
Fountain house by the Soldiers' Building.
On the right, the historic fountain house has an exciting late Gothic vault. The fountain house stands in front of the Soldiers' Building, which was also built by Ludwig V in the 16th century. Castle guards had their living and common rooms here. Today, the building is used by castle administration and houses the Heidelberg Castle Service Center.
The powder tower, aka "exploded tower."
The economic building attaches to the massive powder tower, also called the "exploded tower." Ludwig V reinforced Heidelberg Castle's first castle keep with strong vaults. Embrasures and flues indicate its former function as a gun turret. "Kraut," or powder, specifically gunpowder, was stored in the basement. French mines destroyed the roughly 6.5 meter-thick wall during the Nine Years' War between 1688 and 1697. Since then, a third of the tower sits at the bottom of the stag pit.
