The Requirements are:
1. Prior to arrival in Heidelberg, learn
about the history of Heidelberg. Your local library or bookstore should have
excellent reference material.
2. The hike is completed by walking the
four-mile path throughout the city or by visiting or stopping at the nine
points of interest which will be mentioned later. There is no requirement to
take any of the tours at the Schloss or the two museums, although you will
find them interesting. An optional visit is to the Student Prison
(Karzer).
3. Make up and present your own
skit in the "Daisy Theater," an imaginary theater named after Juliette Low.
The theme for the skit can be from one of three settings: The Student Prince,
the writings of Mark Twain (he wrote about Heidelberg in his book A Tramp
Abroad), or contemporary Girl Scout life. Your skit can be staged on the
grounds of the Castle, the Youth Hostel, or at your Girl Scout meeting place,
depending on the circumstances. It can be as elaborate as you care to make it.
4. Download the application for the
patches, fill it out and mail it to the address at the bottom of the
application with the correct amount, using a check or money order. Patches
cost $2.50 each. You will need Microsoft Word for the download
files from the link shown below. To obtain a Free copy of the Viewer got
to
Microsoft Word
CLICK HERE TO
DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION, DIRECTIONS, MAP AND A LIST OF PATCHES GIRLS MAY
COMPLETE
The 9 Points of Interest
1. The Marstall: This large medieval
building was originally built in 1510 as a weapons storehouse. The present
name came later when it became part of the Royal Stables. Today, it is the
University students' dining hall.
2. Old Bridge: In 1788, Karl Theodor, the
Kurfuerst (Elector-Prince), replaced the old roofed wooden bridge, which was
destroyed by ice with this red stone beauty. It is decorated with two
sculpture groups: The Goddess Of Wisdom (Pallas Athene) and Karl Theodore. The
four rivers, which crossed his lands, surround Karl: The Rhine, Necker,
Danube, and Moselle. This bridge is sometimes used for Heidelberg Girl Scout
bridging ceremonies.
3. The Holy Ghost Church: This was
founded by Emperor Ruprecht in 1400. This gothic church was the burial place
of the royal families, but the only couple here now is Ruprecht and his wife.
4. Hotel Ritter: Built in 1592, it was
the only house to survive the burning of Heidelberg in 1693 and was the home
of a wealthy merchant.
5. The Kornmarkt: Karl Phillip put the
Madonna here in order to remind the townspeople which religion was best. The
Holy Ghost church was located here from 1300-1557 AD. You can see the white
stones that outline where the church's walls used to be located.
6. The Castle: To enter you must pay. A
gate is on the left, standing alone in the garden. Frederick V had it built
one night in 1613 as a birthday present for his 18-year-old wife, Princess
Elizabeth Stuart of England. The tower gate of the castle has an iron ring. As
the story goes, if you can bite through the ring, the castle will be yours. A
witch bit the missing small chunk of iron out. An optional tour of the castle
is offered. (You must pay, however.)
7. The Karzer (Student Prison): Closed on
Sundays and German holidays, this is an optional point of interest but one
which children enjoy.
8. Old and New University: The New
University was built in 1930-32 with money donated by the Americans. The Old
University is nearby, with a clock tower on top.
9. The Kurpfaelzisches Museum: This is
optional for each troop. In this lovely Baroque palace you will find
prehistoric and Roman artifacts, old documents, paintings, a famous carved
wooden altar by Riemenschneider, and the plaster cast of the Heidelberger
Man's jawbone. This jawbone dates from 500,000 years ago.
