Universitätsplatz is located in the middle of Heidelberg's Old Town.
The Universitätsplatz (formerly Paradeplatz, Ludwigsplatz) stretches west and south of the Old University and is bordered to the south by the New University. It is located on the main street and covers the foundation walls of the former Augustinian monastery, where Martin Luther justified his theses in the Heidelberg Disputation in 1518. Along the western edge of the square, Grabengasse illustrates the course of the first city fortifications.
The bus stop at Uniplatz is one of the most central in the city, making it an important transportation hub. First of all, of course, for the students (especially those of the humanities, who work in the Old Town), but also for tourists, who can quickly reach many sights from there.
With almost 70 stalls, Universitätsplatz hosts the largest sectiton of the Heidelberg Christmas Market.
Lion Fountain
The Löwenbrunnen is located on Universitätsplatz directly in front of the main portal of the Old University and was an important part of the water supply for the city of Heidelberg. The fountain probably dates from the early modern period. The heraldic animal of the Electorate of the Palatinate, the lion, was chosen to crown the fountain. The lion is meant to symbolize the strength of the Electoral Palatinate. The year 1712 is carved into today's lion sculpture, but this says little, as this sculpture is already a repeated replica of the original. The exact date of the fountain's origin is not known.
Today, the Lion Fountain is a well-known and popular meeting and starting point for many city tours.
