Heidelberg Photo Gallery - Alte Brucke and Philosophenweg

After a whirlwind tour of the historic old town, be sure to head across the river and uphill for a panoramic view. Goethe described the Alte Brucke as the most beautiful bridge in the world. Built in 1786, the 200m long bridge is apparently famous for the brass monkey holding a mirror at the old town end. Legend has it that the statue symbolizes the need for the town residents to take a look over their shoulders as they cross and not to think they're more elite than those living on the other side of the river. The tourist crowds thinned out as I progressively moved further along the bridge. After crossing the bridge, it's a steep climb on steps and paved paths up to the Philosophenweg, which straddles along the hillsides 200m above town. Built in the early 19th century, the panoramic views put into perspective the sites I visited earlier in the day.