Bruckentor (Bridge Gate), Heidelberg

Framing the entrance to the Old Bridge or serving as a picturesque backdrop with the Old Town in the distance, this imposing structure is a true Heidelberg landmark. Originally part of the city's defensive walls, it has stood guard at the northern entrance for centuries, weathering ice floes and fires that ravaged earlier bridges. Close inspection reveals flood marks left by various deluges over the years.

Functioning as both a defensive bastion and a toll collection point, the gate could be securely shut during times of attack, while foreigners seeking passage across the Old Bridge were required to pay a toll. Additionally, it housed guards and even served as a jail, with the eastern tower featuring a spiral staircase leading to the bridge keeper's living quarters, and the western tower containing three detention rooms. Standing at 28 meters (92 feet) tall, these towers miraculously survived the destruction wrought by the French conquest in 1689. In 1788, their original tops replaced with elegant Baroque-style spires.

Today, the gate exudes an unmistakable medieval charm, inviting visitors to step back in time as they meander through Heidelberg's Old Town. For a truly enchanting experience, take a romantic stroll around dusk, and don't forget your camera to capture the views of the Neckar River, the mountains, Heidelberg Castle, and the Old Bridge.