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Old Bridge Heidelberg

The Old Bridge connects the old town with the banks of the Neckar River at the eastern end of the Neuenheim district. The first known bridge at this place was completely made of wood. Unfortunately it was destroyed again and again by wars and floods and so Elector Karl Theodor had a stone bridge made of Neckar valley sandstone built over the river (1786-1788).
The Old Bridge is one of the last great examples of classical bridge building in stone. The medieval bridge gate and parts of the city wall still stand on the city side. German soldiers blew up the Neckar bridges and also the Old Bridge on March 29, 1945 and thus one of the last days of the war. Thanks to a fund-raising campaign, which was lively supported by the citizens, the reconstruction could begin on March 14, 1946. The inauguration took place in 1947.

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did you know?

A special highlight and popular photo motif is the bridge monkey. The first mention of such a monkey at the old bridge can be found already in the 15th century.

The present monkey is a bronze sculpture by Professor Gernot Rumpf and was erected in 1979.

The monkey is a symbol of ugliness, lechery, shamelessness and vanity. So his naked backside can stand for the former. The mirror he holds in his left hand symbolizes vanity, as does the ring he wears on his back left hand. With his right front hand he stretches out his index finger and little finger towards us, means averting the evil eye. Man looks mockingly at the monkey, the monkey mockingly returns the mockery and reduces the observer to his true greatness.

If the visitor strokes over the mirror, this is supposed to bring prosperity. Whoever strokes over the outstretched fingers of the right hand comes back to Heidelberg. Stroking over the mice (the artist's trademark) means many children.


Pick up this flyer at the MPM brochure stand in the hotel lobby or contact reception.

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