Heidelberg

An ancient university town, people visit Heidelberg, Germany, for one reason: the palace.  Though the town itself is charming, too . . .

A miniature of the palace, in its pre-ruin form

Townscape

Palace from Afar
The palace dominates the town from its perch above.

Palace- Gate Area
Before entering the palace proper, check out the 'kissing gate' and take in the astounding architecture.

Palace- Courtyard
Entering through the main gate, one is ushered into a scenic courtyard.  The wine barrel, accessible just off the courtyard, is (I think) the world's largest.

Palace- Structure Shots
The palace has a number of interesting structural design elements.  Note the indent on the stonework in a shot below- made by a knight in full armor leaping from a window.

Palace- Ruined Tower
One of the highlights is the tower, destroyed from within by fleeing French (if memory serves) using a breathtaking amount of gunpowder.

Conclusion
Heidelberg is well worth the trip.