Dicker Turm

Dicker Turm rises within Heidelberg Castle, where its round, ruined form dominates the historic complex. The fortified tower once reached almost 40 metres high and measured about 28 metres across. Seven-metre walls show the scale of its early sixteenth-century military construction. Built under Elector Ludwig V between 1508 and 1544, it strengthened the castle’s defences.

French troops damaged the tower in 1693 during the War of the Palatinate Succession. Its broken structure remains the clearest visible sign of the destruction that reshaped Heidelberg Castle. The surrounding complex combines architectural additions from several centuries, including the Elisabeth Gate and the English Building. Guided tours connect these remains with the sieges and conflicts that shaped the Palatinate.

During the Heidelberger Schlossfestspiele, the tower also becomes a setting for theatre and concerts. From the castle grounds, you can see how the massive circular ruin fits into Heidelberg’s historic skyline. Its seven-metre walls leave the strongest impression, turning military architecture into a lasting view of the Neckar valley’s past.