The market square is one of the oldest squares in Heidelberg. To the north and south, it is bordered by rows of houses, to the east of the market square the city hall is located, and to the west, the square is dominated by the Church of the Holy Spirit. The centrepiece is the Hercules Fountain, built between 1706 and 1709 to commemorate the enormous efforts made to rebuild the city after the devastation of the Thirty Years‘ War. In addition to its function as a place for the weekly market, in earlier centuries the square also served as a place for public trials, such as that of the band of robbers Hölzerlips and Mannefriedrich in 1812. In the meantime, the square was also used as a parking lot next to the main road, which was still open to motor traffic at that time. Since the end of the 1970s, the square has been accessible only to pedestrians. During the winter season, little wooden huts of the Heidelberg Christmas Market are grouped on the market square, where, in addition, the official opening takes place from the balconies of the town hall.

The Heidelberg funicular railroads are among the city’s most popular attractions. Every year, more than two million passengers use the traditional funicular railroads and enjoy the beautiful view of Heidelberg and the Neckar Valley during the ride and at the individual stations. From the King’s Seat, you can even look far across the Rhine plain to the Palatinate Wine Route. The lower cable car, one of the most modern cable cars in Germany, starts at Kornmarkt in the old town and travels via the Castle station to Molkenkur. From there, one of the oldest electrically operated mountain railroads continues to the King’s Chair, the highest point in the city, at an altitude of over 567 meters.

The triumphal arch in honor of Elector Karl Theodor at the east end of the city. The Karlstor was built between 1775 and 1781 according to plans by Nicolas de Pigage. The Elector himself attended the laying of the foundation stone ceremony on October 2, 1775. It was he who prompted the architect to combine elements from three submitted designs in a fourth plan. The result was a classicist building in the tradition of Roman victory gates, crowned by four Palatine lions. In the central section, on the west side facing the city, the portraits of the Elector and his wife can be seen under the princely hat. Facing outward from the city, the central panel bears the dedication inscription and, above it, a trophy of arms with the coat of arms of the Elector Palatine. The sculptures were created by Peter Simon Lamine. The gate was never finished.