University Archives University Archives

The University Archives form the historical memory of Heidelberg University. The historical records, such as charters, official registers and files, date back to the 13th century.

The University Archives are a staff unit of the Rectorate and preserve the older holdings, which reach back into the Middle Ages. They also continue to acquire selected records no longer required for current tasks in administration, research and teaching and that possess lasting value for history. After the expiration of the closure periods, the records are available to scholarly research and the interested public.

Through the cataloguing and processing of the historical holdings, and through lectures, publications, exhibitions and teaching events, the University Archives make a substantial contribution to researching and communicating the history of the university. The archives also actively address the challenge of long-term preservation of digital records so that no gaps in documentation arise for the “digital age” either.