Life on the Hauptstrasse
For the entire month of August Dan and I have been provided a furnished apartment in the center of the old town (Alstadt) of Heidelberg. Being smack in the center of life has been a wonderful introduction to the city, especially for Dan, but having a comfortable bright space with beautiful views has been an extra treat. The Hauptstrasse, or Main Street, of Heidelberg is a pedestrian only street that runs the length of the Alstadt and is nearly one mile long with nothing but bars, 250+ restaurants and shops. Charming alleys shoot off on either side with traditional baroque architecture throughout the entire old city. I would venture to say that the Hauptstrasse is the heart of the Heidelberg and therefore the destination of thousands of tourists daily. There are walking tours dedicated to this street alone. At the end of the Hauptstrasse lies the base of the impressive Heidelberg castle, looming high above, it’s no wonder people flock to this area.
One of the many charming side streets from the Hauptstrasse
The apartment is a unique 2 bedroom space with 2 small lofts, a bedroom, kitchen and balcony. Ohh the balcony! The view is awesome lovely. I frequently open the doors to the apartment and find myself sitting out there for hours reading and taking in the view of the ‘Holy Mountain’ and Alstadt.
Looking up to the right from the balcony at the huge steeple for Church of the Holy Spirit. Beautiful, yes, but this things also happens to chime EVERY 15 minutes, 24 hours a day.
View from the windows in the living room – can you spot the Heidelberg Castle?!
Balcony access from the bedroom – beautiful, right?!
Entering and exiting the apartment is certainly the major downside – 4 steep flights of stairs with the last one with a 180 degree turn and all of 3 feet wide. The last flight of stairs is the reason why furniture for the apartment can only be brought in via a crane through the balcony – bananas! Here’s a horrifying depiction of what would need to happen:
During the ‘Wedding Festival’ at the beginning of August I was treated to an impressive firework and laser show from one of the lofts!
All and all – Lucky us!