Heidelberg Castle was home to the Prince Electors of the Palatinate for centuries. Around 1610, Friedrich V built a residence for his English bride, Elizabeth Stuart, daughter of James I. He surprised her with an ornate gate erected overnight for her birthday. Garden architect Solomon de Caus designed spectacular terraced gardens of extraordinary engineering.

In 1618, Protestant nobles offered Friedrich the crown of Bohemia. He accepted, moved his court to Prague, and lasted one winter before fleeing. The gardens were never finished. Statues were packed up and left with him. De Caus returned to England by 1620.

In 1688, Karl II died childless. His sister Liselotte had married the brother of Louis XIV. France claimed the Palatinate seat. In 1689, French troops set fire to the castle and destroyed the gardens. They returned in 1693 and detonated 38 mines loaded with 27,000 pounds of powder.

Lightning struck in 1764, burning down the highest towers. The castle became a ruin. Court jester Perkeo arrived in 1717. He supposedly out-drank the prince in a bet. His name means "why not" in Italian—his answer when offered wine. He died after drinking water.

VoiceMap's self-guided audio tours trace de Caus's engineering, explain the War of Succession, and reveal connections to the Winter King.