One of Germany’s biggest tourist draws, Heidelberg (pop. 140,000) is situated 130 km north from Stuttgart. The building of Heidelberg began in the 13th century. It was devastated in 1622 during the Thirty Years’ War and destroyed by French invasion under Louis XIV in the late 17th century. The Heidelberg University, which is the oldest university in Germany, attracts more than 30,000 students and makes Heidelberg a lively city as well.