Heidelberg Castle is one of the most famous and romantic ruins in Germany, perched above the old town of Heidelberg on a hillside. It is first mentioned in documents as early as 1225 and served as the residence of the Electors of the Palatinate, among the most powerful rulers of the Holy Roman Empire. The castle was destroyed several times: in the 17th century it was heavily damaged by French troops during the War of the Palatine Succession, and in 1764 a lightning strike caused a fire, after wh