Living in Heidelberg
Your new city Heidelberg
Heidelberg with a population of 158,741 (2020), known as the city of Romanticism, is located at the South of Germany. In addition to being home to Heidelberg University, which is on the list of the top 5 universities in Germany (Top Universities in Germany in 2021-2022 | CWUR) and the oldest university in Germany(1386), it also draws attention with its strong history and historical structures.
By the Neckar River flowing calmly among green hills; Heidelberg is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in Germany, with its aesthetic buildings, historical bridges, the old castle watching the city from the top, and lively streets of a medieval fairy-tale city.In fact, the beauty of the city was the source of inspiration for the song "I hab mein Herz in Heidelberg", and then two films were shot in 1926 and 1952, taking their names from this song.
Heildelberg is divided into two by the Neckar River. The Old Bridge, which is 200 meters long and 7 meters wide, is one of the most touristic places in the city, looks like a fairy tale- On the historical bridge, there is the statue of Karl Theodor and Minevra, a Roman goddess. It is said that there was a statue of a monkey holding a mirror on the bridge dating back to the 15th century, but this monkey disappeared during the Nine Year’ War. Afterwards, a bronze monkey statue was built by Gernot Rumpf in 1979 at the entrance of the bridge, on the left side of the towers. Below the monkey there is a poem written by Martin Zeiler.
Why are you staring at me?
Haven’t you seen the old Monkey of Heidelberg?
Look to and fro,
There you will find many more of my kind.
(Was thustu mich hie angaff en?
Hastu nicht gesehen den alten Affen zu Heydelberg
Sich dich hin und her
Da findestu wol meines gleichen mehr.)
Your accommodation
You will live in a shared apartment in a housing project named Hagebutze.
You will have your own room but share the common areas (living room, bathroom and kitchen) with two other volunteers. We have towels, bedsheets and all the kitchen stuff. We also have free wifi and free washing machines and dryer access.
Hagebutze is a self-managed housing project founded by young people in order to enable people to live in affordable rented apartments since Heidelberg rents are quite expensive. It follows the idea of a family-friendly, ecological and social co-living for generations. It is 15 minutes by bicycle from Heidelberg city center and 7 minutes walking distance from the Rheinstrasse tram stop. With its 26 residences, it is home to more than 70 people. Apart from the residential areas, it provides various social and cultural interaction areas with its common areas.
Hagebutze includes:
Rabatz – for concerts, parties, meetings, dance workshops, etc.
BuWo – a common living room with a kitchen available at any time
a garden, washing machines and dryer in free access, a workshop with tools and machines etc.
Click here for more info: HageButze – Initiative für gemeinschaftliches Wohnen in Heidelberg
Your apartment
The apartment is located on the first floor. It has 3 bedrooms, a living room, a bathroom and a kitchen. Every room gets very good sun. Your new home, open to changes, is waiting for you!
Read about our recent volunteers’ experiences during their time in Germany: