Alte Brücke

The Karl-Theodor-Brücke — universally called the Alte Brücke — has spanned the Neckar since 1788, built from local red sandstone under Elector Karl Theodor as the ninth successive bridge on this site. For centuries it served as the first fixed crossing of the entire Neckar river, making it a critical north–south corridor along the Rhine's eastern bank. The twin-towered Baroque gatehouse at the Altstadt end is one of the finest surviving bridge gates on the Neckar, framing the street life of the old town on one side and the open riverbank of Neuenheim on the other. A bronze monkey installed in 1979 crouches at the northern gate, holding a mirror: local tradition holds that touching its hand and seeing your reflection guarantees good luck and a safe return to Heidelberg. Closed to motor traffic, the bridge now serves as a pedestrian and cycling promenade — the view back toward the floodlit castle at dusk remains one of Heidelberg's most quietly compelling scenes.