The Heiligenberg – Celtic Metropolis Rediscovered on the Neckar

The Heiligenberg near Heidelberg as a significant Celtic metropolis and archaeological key monument. The latest research findings, original artifacts, and modern digital communication methods make the history of the site vividly tangible. The Heiligenberg near Heidelberg is one of the most important archaeological sites in Baden-Württemberg. Inhabited since the Stone Age, the mountain developed into a central settlement and trading place in the region during the Bronze and Iron Ages. Particularly impressive is the massive Celtic fortification from the 5th century BC, whose ring walls and structures made the political and economic significance of the site widely visible. Different cultures continued to shape the mountain: a Roman temple complex at the summit, medieval monastery buildings, and traces from the early modern period give the Heiligenberg its extraordinary historical depth. Along the 2.5-kilometer-long Celtic path, eleven stations provide insights into the life and significance of this historical hill settlement. Modern communication methods—including a companion smartphone app with additional information and selected 3D and AR elements—bring the Celtic past to life right on site. At the Kurpfälzisches Museum, the original finds from the Heiligenberg are impressively presented using hologram and video technology. Dr. Tobias Schöneweis, head of the Archaeology and Monument Protection Department at the Kurpfälzisches Museum Heidelberg, introduces the archaeological significance of the Heiligenberg and reports on the latest research findings. He was significantly involved in the redesign of the Celtic path and the digital communication offerings, demonstrating how modern technologies, solid research, and vivid reconstructions work together today to convey the history of this place.