"When It's Summertime in Heidelberg"

When it's summertime in Heidelberg,
There's beauty everywhere,
All the tree are dressed in their sunday best
And the brass band plays in the square.

Everyday is like a holiday
Strolling underneath the sun,
All the frauleins wear flowers in their hair
With a smile to spare for everyone.

The fragrant bleeze,
The linden trees,
The promenade where lovers stray,
But have a care
Or someone there
May steal your heart away.

Strange things happen on a summer night
When the bells begin to chime.
It could happen to
Someone just like you
Down in Heidelberg in summertime.

(by Nicholas Brodszky)


Heidelberg is first mentioned in a document of Schönau Monastery dated 1196. But its history goes back to the year 40 AD when Roman encampments here were conquered by the Allemanians. Majestically perched high above the narrow lanes and picturesque roofs of the Old Town are the ruins of Heidelberg Castle – the magnificent red sandstone structure that crowns the city. For five centuries it was the glamorous residence of the Electors Palatine. In 1386 Count Ruprecht I founded Heidelberg University. Germany's oldest institution of higher learning. It played a leading role during the age of Humanism and the Reformation. Luther was received here with great honors and defended his 95 theses.
Heidelberg became the favorite of an illustrious group of poets including Arnim, Brentano, Hölderlin, Eichendorff and Goethe, to name but a few. No city was so beloved by the Romantic poets as Heidelberg.Due not least of all to her enchanting location on the Neckar River amidst mountains, woods and sloping vineyards.
Down through the ages this urbane and vital city has been a magnet for many artists – as it is today. Its opera, drama and ballet performances, for instance, are highly acclaimed throughout the entire German theater world. Especially worth seeing are the Schlossfestspiele, summer festivals of concerts and music theater. Behind her romantic settings, the facades of simple town houses and splendid palaces, bustles a forward-looking city with world-class scientific and economic institutions.
From this tribute, I'm sure it's not difficult to see, "I've been in love with Heidelberg for over 50 years."