Kornmarkt is a small historic square in Heidelberg’s Old Town, just off the Hauptstraße and below the wooded slope of Heidelberg Castle. Once a grain market, it is now best known for the view uphill: the castle rises above the rooftops, making the square a favourite stop for photographers and anyone exploring the Altstadt on foot.
At the centre stands the Kornmarkt Madonna, a Baroque column erected in the early 18th century. Its gilded figure reflects the city’s religious history, including the Catholic revival that followed periods of Protestant rule. Look around the square, too, for traces of its older civic life; markers in the paving recall a medieval hospital that once stood here.
Come early in the morning for a quieter view before the busiest sightseeing hours, or linger over coffee at a nearby café. The lower station of the Bergbahn funicular is beside the square, making Kornmarkt a convenient starting point for a trip up to Heidelberg Castle and, with a change of train, the Königstuhl summit. From Heidelberg Hauptbahnhof, allow around half an hour on foot or take public transport towards the Old Town.