# Heiliggeistkirche

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Content updated: 2026-06-22

Heiliggeistkirche stands in Heidelberg’s old town as the city’s largest church, combining Romanesque structure with Gothic pointed arches. Construction began in 1398 and continued through 1515, replacing a chapel that occupied the site from at least the thirteenth century. The choir was consecrated in 1411, while the nave and tower followed after further work.

King Rupert commissioned the church as a representative seat and burial place for the Electors of the Palatinate. The Palatine War of Succession destroyed most princely graves, leaving only the tomb of Elector Ruprecht III. The building also housed the Bibliotheca Palatina, whose manuscripts and early books later travelled to Rome as wartime spoils. For around 300 years, a wall separated the nave from the choir so Catholic and Protestant congregations could worship simultaneously.

A fire in 1693 destroyed the medieval tower and windows, while later restoration altered pillars, frescoes and other details. One vault preserves an approximately 1440 fresco with eight panels of angels playing instruments, including a later-added bassoon. The baroque tower now contains a viewing platform reached by 208 steps, about 38 metres above the ground.

- City: [Heidelberg](https://mytuur.com/en/city/heidelberg/)

## Photos

- ![](https://mytuur-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com/image_Heiliggeistkirche_6832de72f44f54dc86905e67_0.jpg) — [Image: wikimedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Heiliggeistkirche_Heidelberg_05.JPG)
- ![](https://mytuur-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com/image_Heiliggeistkirche_6832de72f44f54dc86905e67_1.jpg) — [Image: wikimedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Heiliggeistkirche_Heidelberg_01.JPG)
- ![](https://mytuur-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com/image_Heiliggeistkirche_6832de72f44f54dc86905e67_2.jpg) — [Image: wikimedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Heiliggeistkirche_Heidelberg_\(Karl_Pfaff\)_1896.jpg)
- ![](https://mytuur-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com/image_Heiliggeistkirche_6832de72f44f54dc86905e67_3.jpg) — [Image: wikimedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:2009-07-26-01_Germany_Heidelberg_Heiliggeistkirche.jpg)
- ![](https://mytuur-bucket.s3.amazonaws.com/image_Heiliggeistkirche_6832de72f44f54dc86905e67_4.jpg) — [Image: wikimedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Die_Gartenlaube_\(1886\)_b_625.jpg)

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