Kulturfenster

When you are looking for something to do other than visit the local bars, consider looking for some cultural events around Heidelberg. The Kulturfenster is a small, nonprofit center that provides affordable access to music, art, and fun. The Kulturfenster is located on a side street (Kirchstraße). The building is small, but has a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. The outside of the building is lit up by colorful lights and lanterns. The interior is colorfully decorated with works of art and posters of upcoming musical performances. There is even a small bar that offers drinks and snacks for your enjoyment between performances. The staff at the Kulturfenster are friendly, helpful, and always have a warm smile on their faces.
The Kulturfenster has musical performances from bands all over the world. Recently, it featured the music of Beoga, an Irish folk music band. Beoga is known all over the world and has received wonderful reviews from influential newspapers, like the Wall Street Journal. It only costs 14€ to see world renown bands such as Beoga. You certainly get your money's worth. Musical performances last anywhere from two and a half to three hours. There are new musical performances every other week or so. From Latin music to Classical performances, the Kulturfenster has music for all tastes.
If you are looking for something to keep you busy, the Kulturfenster has workshops ranging from how to parkour to advanced graffiti production. The workshops are generally very affordable and usually cost 20€ or less. The workshops are a great way to keep busy and meet great people. And if poetry is more of your niche, the Kulturfenster has frequent Poetry Slams featuring local, young and upcoming poets. The atmosphere at the Poetry Slams is energetic and fun. It's definitely worth a try even if you're not an enthusiastic poetry lover. And if you are a musician who wants to showcase your music, the Kulturfenster has plenty of opportunities to get up on stage and perform your work. There are frequent open stage nights at the Kulturfenster and you can even book a night exclusively for your band to play. The Kulturfenster is definitely a place to check out when you are looking for something different and fun.

Day Trip to Köln

Established in 50 AD by the Roman Empire, Köln is Germany's fourth largest city. Köln is full of beautiful buildings and ancient ruins. It boasts some major attractions including Germany's second oldest university and numerous museums. Potentially the most exciting museum in Köln is the Schokolode Museum (the Museum of Chocolate). While the Schokolade Museum is a must for any chocolate enthusiasts (or just about anyone who likes chocolate), the most famous and exciting attractions in Köln are the churches and statues spread throughout the city.

Kölner Dom (Cologne Cathedral)

Front of the Dom

The Kölner Dom is the number one tourist attraction in Germany. The Gothic church was started in the 1200s, until the building was suspended in the 1400s. It wasn't until the 19th century that building resumed. The cathedral was damaged but not destroyed during the Second World War and was quickly rebuilt afterwards. The cathedral is the largest Gothic church in northern Europe and is an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The tallest part of the Dom towers an astonishing 516 feet and once briefly held the record of the world's

Inside the Dom

tallest building. The Kölner Dom has all the features of a Gothic church including pointed arches, spires, and an intricately decorate exterior. When one looks up at the Dom, one can't help but feel insignificant in its presence. It is very easy to spend hours just looking at the outside of the cathedral. There are so many details and stories incorporated into the exterior, that it is almost impossible to absorb it all. 

After one has awed at the exterior, the interior of the Dom awaits. The high vaulted ceilings seem to soar above you as you enter the cathedral. Both sides of the Dom are adorned with large stained glass windows depicting different scenes from the Bible. Along the the walls are statues of saints and popes. In the center of the Dom is a golden Shrine of the Three Kings. This ornately decorated box was thought to hold the bodies of the three Kings that visited Christ when he was born. Another highlight of the cathedral is the Crucifix of Bishop Gero. It is a statue of Jesus crucified and contains the oldest large cross known to date. The last thing one must do before leaving the Dom is listen to the bells ring. The Dom has eleven bells total and creates a beautiful melody when they are hung.

Tünnes and Schäl

When you are looking for an attraction that brings a smile to your face, go visit Tünnes and Schäl. Tünnes and Schäl were originally introduced to Köln through puppet theater. Ever since, Tünnes and Schäl have been closely associated with Köln. Tünnes is shorter, stockier, and supposed to represent the country folk of Köln. Schäl is tall, cross eyed, and supposed to represent the city folk of Köln. Not only does the statue bring a smile to your face, it is also considered good luck to touch the noses of Tünnes and Schäl.

Speyer

By now, you have most likely bought a semester ticket and might be wondering how to get this most out of your investment. Well, look no further than the beautiful city of Speyer. Only about 50 minutes from the Heidelberg Hauptbahnhof, Speyer is easy to get to and free with a semester ticket. Speyer is definitely a city to visit if you enjoy architecture. With its numerous churches and old buildings, Speyer has plenty of options for the architecture lover or anyone who appreciates a beautiful building. The city also has attractions for the more mechanically inclined, including the Technik Museum (Technology Museum) which has all the planes, trains, and machines that one could hope for. And for those history buffs out there, there are plenty of historical museums, including the Historische Museum der Pflaz (Museum of Palatinate History). Below, I've listed some must-sees for your trip to Speyer.

Der Dom in Speyer (The Imperial Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption and St. Stephen)

Front view of the cathedral

If you can only see one thing in Speyer, make sure you visit the cathedral. You can easily reach the cathedral
by bus or just a short 20 minute walk from the Hauptbahnhof. I recommend walking because you are more likely to find great little places to visit on the way, but if you are in a hurry, there is a bus about every ten minutes. This cathedral is so large that it is easily seen from the Autobahn. The cathedral is over 1000 years old and is a prime example of Romanesque architecture. With its high vaulted ceilings and spectacular paintings, it's hard not to love this amazing work of art. Below the main floor of the cathedral are the crypts of long dead kings and queens of Germany. There is a small entrance fee to the crypts,

but it's well worth the money. When you are done visiting inside the church, go for a stroll in the cathedral gardens. The park surrounding the cathedral is peaceful and contains many beautiful sculptures and monuments. Make sure you hang around the cathedral long enough to hear the bells chime on the hour. It's definitely worth waiting a few extra minutes to hear.

Die Dreifaltigkeitskirche (The Holy Trinity Church)

Another architectural marvel that is a must see in Speyer is the Dreifaltigkeitskirche located not far from the Speyer cathedral. The oldest Protestant church in Speyer, Dreifaltigkeitskirche's interior is full of phenomenal artistry. The church is full of intricate wood carvings and decorative paneling. On the panels that run along the second floor are colorfully painted scenes from the Bible. There are also larger paintings from the Bible on the vaulted ceiling. At the front of the church is a spectacular picture of the last supper, surrounded by beautiful wood work and sculptures. Above the painting is an organ adorned with gold and sculptures of tiny cupids. The man who maintains the church is very friendly and willing to answer any questions you may have. One does not heed to be Christian or even religious to appreciate the beauty of this building.