Located on the banks of the river Neckar, Heidelberg is a college town and is best known as the home of the Heidelberg University, the oldest university in Germany. However, the town has a lot more to offer and is one of the biggest tourist hubs in the region. Among several of its popular landmarks is Heidelberg Castle, which is considered among the most important Renaissance structures north of the Alps. The original castle was severely damaged in the 17th and 18th centuries and was rebuilt partially. The earliest parts of the castle were built in the 13th century and since then it has undergone several renovations. The current building has a Goethe memorial tablet, which was installed in 1961. There is also a harness room, which was originally a coach house. Another feature of the castle is its Upper Prince’s Fountain structure. If you are looking to experience the culture of the region in an intimate manner, then visit the Old Town, which is a fine example of baroque style. This part of the town has the Main Street and the old stone bridge, which was erected in 18th century. You can also visit the Church of the Holy Spirit, a late Gothic style church. For the panoramic view of the surroundings, make your way to the Philosophers’ Walk, which can take you to the 11th century Monastery of St. Michael. You can also see Pagan’s hole here as well as the remains of a 4th century BC Celtic hill fort. The Markplatz or Market Place is home to a Neptune Fountain and is notorious for being the site of executions and the burning of witches and heretics. One of the impressive buildings in the town include the Haus zum Ritter, a late 16th century German Mannerist style home built for the famous cloth merchant of the same name.