Mid-way down the narrow lane located at the back of Heidelberg’s "Old" University, the infamous "Student Prison" provides a shrine to the time-honored tradition of pranks, stunts, capers and joyous mischief performed by university students.

From 1778 until 1914, students were imprisoned for so called "Kavaliersdelikte;" roughly translated, this means the minor transgressions of students. Common offenses included disturbing of peace, excessive public drinking, insulting official authorities or playing jokes at them, or participating in dueling contests. My husband and I couldn't help but wonder how much time we would have spent in Prison for our college pranks!

Among the otherwise honorable gentlemen students of the University, (most of them were members of fraternities) it was considered a requirement (if not at least an accomplishment) to have served time in the prison. Depending upon the seriousness of the offense, imprisonment would last from three days to four weeks; however, prisoners were allowed to attend daily lectures. After classes, the juvenile delinquents would return to jail, where they supposedly lived on bread and water. However, history reveals that more than a few wine jugs were found on the premises.

Many of the young prisoners passed the hours of their sentences "decorating" the walls with graffiti and paintings, especially their own silhouettes. We found this artistic graffiti both fun and clever, a way to preserve the "Prison Passage". This unique "artwork" has been preserved and continues to decorate the walls of the Prison.

The prison is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm. Admission cost is 5DM (about $2.50 US).