Hidden beneath Heidelberg’s bustling streets flows a secret. It’s the Klingengraben a stream with a rich history. This isn’t just any waterway. It’s the lifeblood of Heidelberg’s oldest settlements.
Imagine a time long before Heidelberg’s grand castle. Picture a small village nestled beside the Klingengraben. This stream provided water for the first settlers. Its flood-free alluvial fan offered protection from the Neckar’s unpredictable floods. The Klingengraben wasn’t just a source of water. It was the foundation upon which Heidelberg was built.
The Klingengraben’s journey begins high on the Königstuhl. Its source lies in a steep slope. The water then flows northwestward. Initially it’s an open stream. Eventually it flows under the city. Its path is now mostly underground. It continues north passing St Peter’s Church. It runs beneath Grabengasse and Marstallstraße.
The Klingengraben’s course is remarkable. It descends steeply. Then it becomes less steep. Its total length is about 1.5 kilometers. The difference in altitude between its source and mouth is around 167 meters. That’s a significant drop. This results in a substantial incline of about 12%.
The Klingengraben’s catchment area is also noteworthy. It spans 1.239 square kilometers. The upper part lies in the Redsandstone-Odenwald region. The lower part sits in the Bergstraße plain. The water ultimately reaches the North Sea via the Neckar and the Rhine. The geological composition is fascinating. Its source is in the middle Buntsandstein layer. It then cuts through the lower Buntsandstein. Finally it reaches the clay of the Neckar floodplain.
The medieval city of Heidelberg extended westwards. It bordered the Klingengraben. Grabengasse the old cemetery alley ran alongside the stream. The city expanded further west in 1392. Much of the Klingengraben was then covered. This was done to create space for the growing city. Even today parts of its course are underground.
The Klingengraben’s legacy lives on. Its water once fed Heidelberg’s famous Lion Fountain. It symbolizes Heidelberg’s long relationship with this little-known waterway. It was essential to the city’s survival and growth. The Klingengraben is more than just a stream. It’s a hidden treasure a vital part of Heidelberg’s captivating history. It’s a reminder of Heidelberg’s humble beginnings.