Ottheinrichsbau

Ottheinrichsbau forms a Renaissance palace wing within Heidelberg Castle, rising above the courtyard in Neckar Valley sandstone. Elector Ottheinrich commissioned it in the mid-sixteenth century, fitting the structure between older castle buildings. Its three-storey facade combines northern Italian, Dutch, and French influences through regular sections, tall paired windows, and carved niches.

Construction began during Ottheinrich’s rule, while Alexander Colin and his workshop created the monumental sculptures from 1558. Sixteen allegorical figures present biblical heroes, Roman emperors, Christian virtues, and the seven classical planets. The building remained unfinished when Ottheinrich died in 1559, then lost its oversized double gables after the Thirty Years’ War. French attacks, a lightning strike in 1764, and later abandonment left the upper floors as largely empty shells.

The lower levels contain the German Pharmacy Museum, while the courtyard facade preserves an unusually vivid programme of Renaissance symbolism. Joshua, Samson, Heracles, and David stand among figures that connect biblical tradition with ancient mythology.