University of Heidelberg

University of Heidelberg - Germany's oldest university was founded by Count Palastine Ruprecht in 1386 to give his territory an intellectual center and attract foreign intellectuals coming to Heidelberg. Another motivation was to educate civil servants and other specialists in the own country. At the start the university had only four faculties: philosophy, law, medicine and theology. The teachers came from Paris and Prague. Today it has 18 faculties and over 30,000 students including lots of foreigners. Nowadays the University of Heidelberg enjoys a worldwide reputation of high-level education.

From 1778 to 1914 male students who offend aganst the university regulation were tossed into a stundent jail. Offenses could be inappropriate behavior in public like singing, drinking or fooling around. Usually the stundents were put into jail a couple of days on bread and water. A visit to this jail is very interesting because the prisoners covered the walls with paintings and writings. It is located at the Augustinerstrasse across from Heumarkt. Entry is €2.50.