Philosophenweg (Philosophers’ Walk)

All text courtesy of "Heidelberg Marketing GmbH"

The former Linsenbühlerweg, a simple path through the vineyards in the 17th and 18th centuries, became the Philosophers' Way in the late Romantic period. This change of name can be traced to the fact that Heidelberg's university professors and philosophers found this path a congenial place where they could talk seriously and contemplate while enjoying the charming view of the Neckar.This view of the town inspired also the poets Eichendorff and Hölderlin on their walks to write their poems. Among the attractions of this now world-famous walk are the Eichendorff Stone, a sandstone stele with a bronze relief of the poet, and the Merian-Kanzel, a sandstone platform from where in 1620 Matthäus Merian immortalized Heidelberg in an engraving. The Hölderlin-Anlage, an area at the Eastern end of the Philosophers' Way dedicated to the poet Hölderlin, pays tribute to his ode to Heidelberg "Lang lieb ich dich schon..." (‘Long have I loved you...')Even today, this world-famous path offers new sights and insights. Enjoy a beautiful view of Heidelberg and a climate that reminds you of the Italian Toscana. Many sub-tropical plants flourish in the "Philosophengärtchen". The temperate climate is perfect for Japanese cherries, cypresses, lemons, bamboos, rhododendrons, gingko and yucca trees, and several other plants from the mediterranean, North Africa and Asia. Joseph Freiherr von Eichendorff (1788-1857) is one of the German poets who fell in love with Heidelberg and dedicated poems to the old town. A commemorative stone refers to the German Romantic who studied here 1807-08.