Courtesy of Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University | Licence: Public Domain
Courtesy of Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University | Licence: Public Domain

Heidelberg

Comments? Do please tell us: [email protected]

Additional Information

From the Collection

Description

Collective Title: Memoranda, from a journal of tours made upon the Continent at various periods beginning in 1821, with illustrations sketched upon the spot, 1821-1836

Image Licence

Public Domain

Image Credit

Courtesy of Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University

From the Watercolour World

Location

Karl Theodor Bridge(also known as the Old Bridge), Heidelberg, Germany

Country

Germany

Tww Comment

Since the 13th century there have been eight bridges on the site; the current bridge is built on their foundations. The bridge gate at the south end of the bridge also dates from the Middle Ages. As early as the 15th century there has been a statue of a monkey on the Old Bridge holding a mirror, which disappeared during the Nine Years' War. The current statue was designed by Gernot Rumpf and erected in 1979. The statue holds a mirror in one hand and forms the sign of the horns with the other. Below the monkey is a poem by Martin Zeiler written in 1632, reading, Why are you staring at me?. Tourists can place their heads within the monkey's head. Local legend has it that rubbing the mirror brings good luck, rubbing the fingers ensure a return to Heidelberg, and the little bronze-cast mice nearby bring fertility.