Institution

Heidelberg University

1386 · 14th century · Also known as University of Heidelberg

Heidelberg University was founded in 1386 by Rupert I, Elector Palatine, and is the oldest university in present-day Germany. It was a centre of humanism and, after the Electoral Palatinate became Calvinist, of Reformed theology, associated with the Heidelberg Catechism of 1563. When Heidelberg passed to Baden, Elector Charles Frederick reorganised the university in 1803, and it is named after him and Rupert.

Heidelberg University
Image: Uni Heidelberg; derivative work by Tou-x · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Mentioned in 1 profile

Electoral PalatinateImpact, Summary

Mentioned in 2 state histories

Electoral PalatinateElectorate of Baden

See also

Cite this entry
APA
The Epoch Institute. (2026). Heidelberg University. In The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/heidelberg-university
MLA
“Heidelberg University.” The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/heidelberg-university. Accessed .
Chicago
The Epoch Institute. “Heidelberg University.” The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/heidelberg-university.
Harvard
The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Heidelberg University’, The Epoch Institute Encyclopedia. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/encyclopedia/heidelberg-university (Accessed: ).

Last reviewed October 2026Random entry ↻