Prominent Visitors
Charles de Graimberg
The preservation of Heidelberg Castle was primarily down to the efforts of Charles de Graimberg. Born in 1774 near Château-Thierry, the son of a count. He showed a talent for drawing from an early age and was encouraged accordingly. His interest in art eventually led him to Germany in 1810, initially to Karlsruhe. There, he intended to learn the art of copperplate engraving from Christian Haldenwang. Charles de Graimberg had originally intended only to make sketches for a landscape painting whilst in Heidelberg – but Heidelberg Castle enchanted him immediately. He devoted himself to the preservation of the picturesque castle ruins. Shortly afterwards, he moved into the castle, taking up residence in the tower room of the Gläserner Saal. From there, he was not only able to study the castle in detail, but also to inform the Baden authorities of all the damage being done to the monument. Visitors can view Charles de Graimberg’s room on guided tours of the castle. A drawing in his own hand served as the model for the décor of the tower room.
Sissi in Heidelberg.
Empress Elisabeth of Austria and the castle
Heidelberg Castle was a place of refuge for Empress Elisabeth. From 1883 to 1890, the legendary Sissi stayed in Heidelberg four times, always in April. In the romantic castle ruins and the natural surroundings of the Neckar Valley, she found respite from the strict etiquette of the court. Always accompanied by her youngest daughter Marie Valerie who recorded her experiences in Heidelberg in her diary. The book with the princess’s handwritten entries is full of impressive descriptions of the atmosphere at this magical place for the empress – happy times in a tragic life.
Matthaeus Merian in Heidelberg
Matthaeus Merian lived in Heidelberg in the early 1600’s. During his stay he created his famous 1620 panoramic copperplate engraving of the city. Drawn from the hills above the Neckar, the artwork captured the Palatine capital just before the heavy devastation of the Thirty Years’ War.