🇩🇪 Study Abroad Diary｜Leaving My Heart in Heidelberg 💔✨

⛅️ Early morning, we took the 🚊 RE train from Würzburg. Through the window, the German summer unfolded in shades of green and quiet little towns. Two hours later, we arrived in Heidelberg. After a quick brunch at Burger King near the main station, we began our day. 1️⃣ First stop: Studentenkarzer (Student Prison). From 1778 until 1914, Heidelberg University students who caused trouble with pranks or noise were held here. A few days of "imprisonment" didn’t suppress their romance and talent—instead, these walls became a canvas of memory: signatures, drawings, satire, and poems weaving together an alternative history of the school. Standing in this narrow space, you can almost hear echoes of mischief and freedom. 2️⃣ Not far away stands the Heiliggeistkirche (Church of the Holy Spirit). Built in the late 14th century, it once housed the famous Palatinate Library. Sunlight streams through tall Gothic windows, casting solemn colors that make you feel lost in time where history and faith intertwine. 3️⃣ Next, we climbed to Heidelberg Castle—the city’s most iconic landmark. A mix of Renaissance and Baroque ruins, it embodies both the glory and destruction of the Electors of the Palatinate. Today, its fragmented state feels even more poetic than completeness. Inside, the enormous Großes Fass (Great Vat) symbolizes both the extravagance of the rulers and the region’s wine tradition. Nearby, the German Pharmacy Museum (Deutsches Apotheken-Museum) displays the history of medicine and pharmaceuticals from the Middle Ages to modern times—like an epic of "science and daily life" across centuries. ⚠️ Tip: If you prefer not to hike up, you can take the cable car from the foot of the castle hill. The ride offers a gradual, breathtaking view of the red rooftops and the Neckar River. ⛰️ By the time we descended, it was already past 4 PM. The summer sun was still intense, and fatigue was setting in. We decided to skip the Philosophenweg (Philosophers' Path)—sometimes traveling isn’t about checking everything off the list. Leaving something for next time makes the return even more meaningful. 🍲 So we headed straight to the Chinese restaurant "Heimway Danggui" for a refuel. So tasty! Highly recommended‼️ 🌃 As night fell, we took the train to Baden-Baden, saving energy for the next day’s Black Forest hike. Thus ended our day in Heidelberg—a blend of deep history, blazing sun, and the comfort of delicious Chinese food. #Germany #Heidelberg #HeidelbergFood #DayTrip #TravelTips #Wanderlust 🌍❤️