Heidelberg University, officially the Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg, is a public research university in Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Founded in 1386 on instruction of Pope Urban VI, Heidelberg is Germany's oldest university and one of the world's oldest surviving universities; it was the third university established in the Holy Roman Empire after Vienna and Prague. Since 1899, it has been a coeducational institution.
In 1386, Heidelberg University was founded by Rupert I on instruction of Pope Urban VI who demanded modelling it after the ancient University of Paris.
A Solemn Mass was offered in the Heiliggeistkirche in 1386 to mark and bless the establishment of the university.
The Old Assembly Hall or "Great Hall" was redesigned in 1886 in celebration of the university's quincentenary.
The main entrance of the New University building in 1988, showing the bronze bust of Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom
Heidelberg is a city in the German state of Baden-Württemberg, situated on the river Neckar in south-west Germany. As of the 2016 census, its population was 159,914, of which roughly a quarter consisted of students.
View from Heidelberg Castle park on the city with Heiliggeistkirche and Old Bridge over the Neckar
Heidelberg seen from Königstuhl
The Old Town
Heidelberg on the Neckar at night
