Haus zum Riesen, Heidelberg

The Haus zum Riesen, or House of the Giant, is a stunning baroque palace located on Hauptstrasse in Heidelberg, built in 1707/8. This historic building, named after a striking statue of its builder, Eberhard Friedrich von Venningen, features a façade adorned with an impressive over life-size statue. Originally the largest private residence in the city, it has been associated with Heidelberg University since the mid-19th century, hosting notable figures such as chemist Robert Bunsen and physicist Gustav Kirchhoff. The palace also played a significant role in the study of geology and palaeontology, being the site where the prehistoric human remains known as Homo heidelbergensis were described. A visit to this architectural gem offers a glimpse into Heidelberg's rich academic heritage and baroque artistry.