100 Years of Schlossfestspiele – Exhibition in the Ottheinrichsbau
Exhibits and documents relating to the history of the Castle Festival
Founded in 1926 by members of Heidelberg’s civic society, the »Heidelberg Festival« made theatre history in the castle courtyard for four years, until it was swept away in a maelstrom of underfunding and anti-Semitic Nazi propaganda. In 1934, Goebbels’ Propaganda Ministry revived the festival under the name ‘Reichsfestspiele Heidelberg’ as a showcase for regime-affirming high culture. In the 1950s, the ‘Schlossspiele Heidelberg’ re-established links with the past. Which one, remains to be seen. In 1974, tourism urgently needed a boost following the oil price shock: the Heidelberg Tourist Board revived the festival with »The Student Prince« as a magnet for American tourists. From this fresh start, the Heidelberg Castle Festival developed into its present form over 50 years of continuous performances.
Theater und Orchester Heidelberg, in cooperation with the State Palaces and Gardens of Baden-Württemberg, is presenting an exhibition in the Ottheinrichsbau that sheds light on the history of the Schlossfestspiele in detail and brings special exhibits and documents to life.
The exhibition is open from 20 May to 2 August 2026. You can visit it either as part of the standard castle admission (tickets available via Heidelberg Castle) or view it in the castle courtyard and the Dicken Turm from one hour before the events of the Heidelberg Castle Festival (in conjunction with your theatre ticket). In addition, on fifteen evenings in July 2026, there will be an opportunity to experience the exhibition as the finale of the »100 Years of Schlossfestspiele - Guided tour«. Tickets for this are available from us; further information can be found here.