Opposite Heidelberg Castle on the north bank of the Neckar River, the Hill of Saints is rising.
The summit of the legendary mountain massif offers the most beautiful view of Heidelberg.
The two impressive monastery ruins of St. Michael and St. Stephan as well as the "Thingstätte", a huge open-air stage from the National Socialist era, still define the appearance of the summit region today.
Since the 5th century BC, the mountain has repeatedly played a special role in the eventful history of the region around Heidelberg. If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the attractive city, if you want to walk in the footsteps of the past, the mountain is just the thing for you.
The remains from Celtic, Roman, and medieval times have been partly preserved, restored, and made accessible by a varied and comfortable circular hiking trail, the Celtic Trail. The hiking trail leads to the legacies from different times. Passing the "Thingstätte", it comes across the ruins of the monastery of St. Michael at the highest point of the mountain.
From there it stretches to the western edge of the plateau, where over a length of almost 200 meters the Celtic ring wall is particularly well preserved. The southernmost point of the trail is the "Heidenloch", a water supply shaft hewn 56 meters deep into the rock and built by the monks of the Middle Ages.
The last stop on the Celtic Trail is the recently restored St. Stephen's Monastery. Although ring ramparts and monastery buildings were victims of stone theft through the centuries, the existing remains are still of impressive presence today.
On the southern slope of the Hill of the Saints, the Philosophers Walk is situated, where southern plants such as almonds, figs, and sweet chestnuts grow for this world-famous walking path.
NOTE:
St. Michael's Basilica on the Heiligenberg will be closed in January and February 2025. The Heiligenberg Tower will also be closed until March 2025 due to weather conditions.
The two impressive monastery ruins of St. Michael and St. Stephan as well as the "Thingstätte", a huge open-air stage from the National Socialist era, still define the appearance of the summit region today.
Since the 5th century BC, the mountain has repeatedly played a special role in the eventful history of the region around Heidelberg. If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the attractive city, if you want to walk in the footsteps of the past, the mountain is just the thing for you.
The remains from Celtic, Roman, and medieval times have been partly preserved, restored, and made accessible by a varied and comfortable circular hiking trail, the Celtic Trail. The hiking trail leads to the legacies from different times. Passing the "Thingstätte", it comes across the ruins of the monastery of St. Michael at the highest point of the mountain.
From there it stretches to the western edge of the plateau, where over a length of almost 200 meters the Celtic ring wall is particularly well preserved. The southernmost point of the trail is the "Heidenloch", a water supply shaft hewn 56 meters deep into the rock and built by the monks of the Middle Ages.
The last stop on the Celtic Trail is the recently restored St. Stephen's Monastery. Although ring ramparts and monastery buildings were victims of stone theft through the centuries, the existing remains are still of impressive presence today.
On the southern slope of the Hill of the Saints, the Philosophers Walk is situated, where southern plants such as almonds, figs, and sweet chestnuts grow for this world-famous walking path.
NOTE:
St. Michael's Basilica on the Heiligenberg will be closed in January and February 2025. The Heiligenberg Tower will also be closed until March 2025 due to weather conditions.
