February 17, 1869

Diary of Sofia Kovalevskaya

February 17, 1869

Dear Diary,

My primary purpose of keeping a record of my time spent in Heidelberg is so that I may preserve the details of my life for future generations of women who may read my struggles and experiences. Future daughters, granddaughters, great granddaughters, it is my wish that the future holds an easier day for you as women, and that you may gain respect for your intellect without hardship.

My passion for mathematics has been thwarted by the men in my life for many years. My father, and my late husband Vladimir both opposed my education in mathematics as it is not traditional for women to participate in scholarly studies. I know, however, that my brain functions just as well as any man and that one day I will achieve my goal of becoming an acclaimed mathematician.

Sofia

After the end of my marriage and my husband’s death, I came from Moscow Russia to study here at Heidelberg University. There are many international students that attend the university, but I have seen no other women on campus. When I arrived here I found that I would not be able to attend classes because I am a woman, even though I believe myself competent. I have since discussed the matter with the directors of the University and they have allowed me the freedom to attend classes with the permission of my professors. The Campus, however, is beautiful, and once I explore it more I feel I will be inspired to write about my surroundings. My beautiful surroundings are the only things that make me feel at home at present. Right now I must prepare for the struggles that await me as a student, and the reactions of the male students with whom I will soon study.

Love,

Sofia

September 2, 1869

Dear Diary,

I have been in Heidelberg for a substantial amount of time. I have excelled in my classes, and have finally had a chance to explore my wonderful surroundings. I would like to tell you about some of my favorite places at the University and those which are in the vicinity. Hopefully, these buildings will still be erect and preserved so that you may relish in their delights once this journal is handed down to you. If not, I hope I may preserve them in my writing.

Heidelburg’s castle is the most magnificent place I have ever seen. I have included two pictures of the castle taken recently so that you may witness its medieval beauties almost as I often do. Nestled in the peaks of Konigstuhl, one is entitled to a wonderful view of the town below. It is built on steep cliffs which once protected the front from invasion, with a moat preserving its safety from the rear. It was constructed by Prince Elector Rupricht from 1398-1410 and other buildings were added to its surrounding area over the years. In the 1700’s it was struck by natural disaster. Lightening destroyed the regal stone of the castle, but it was later restored at the beginning of this century. As I climb the steep hill to the foot of the castle, I can feel the ghosts of the past along that well trodden footpath. In the day the castle is tan to reddish brown, and at when sun sets it becomes the color of the vibrant orange sunset, glowing gloriously amidst the dense green of the forest. It is sight none who has experienced will ever forget and great source of pride for out town to have such a beautiful medieval piece of architecture still standing in all of its glory.

At this time I must return to my studies, but I will describe more of my surroundings in days to come.

Love,

Sofia

Here is my favorite picture of the castle. I am sorry that you cannot witness its beautiful colors as I see them.

Here is another picture so that you may see the sprawling forest.

September 18, 1869

Dear Diary,

Today I spent many hours studying in one of the University of Heidelberg’s greatest buildings. The Palatine Library is one of the most impressive places connected with the university. It is home to a broad collection and is one of the most famous libraries in the world. Here, I can study my mathematics beneath the beautiful arched ceilings where my thoughts can float freely above my head. The solidity of the marble inside seems to contain the knowledge it holds securely within its walls. It has survived much turmoil in years past, but its impressive façade still beautifies our city and its classic gothic medieval style points pierce the sky, contradicting the flowing curves that are molded around its supporting pillars.

After studying, I took a stroll through the pedestrian street, which we call the Hauptstrasse and on to the Old Bridge. In the past 200 years, wooden bridges allowed passage over the flowing waters of the Neckar river. It isn’t as ancient as the castle, but the stone bridge was constructed as part of the town wall and houses dungeons on either side which are no longer in use today. The medieval style bridge gate houses tower helmets that were added during the erection of the stone part of the bridge in 1788. There is a plaque referring to the defense of Heidelberg against French troops. In 1798 succeeded in repulsing the French army and the tops of the towers on either side of the bridge are reminiscent of military style helmets worn by the defenders of the city. The bridge is a functional tribute to the safety of the town and the bravery of its armies.

I have included pictures of both of these places so that you may get a feel for the appearance of the places I experience daily. The view of the Neckar provides for me an unmatched sense of tranquility when the struggles of studying at the university become unbearable. I hope that you will experience these places or some similar in the future.

Love,

Sofia

The ornate Palatine Library.

Old Bridge.

(Editor’s Note: The original pictures from Sofia’s time were water damaged as her journal was handed down over the years. They have been substituted by an owner of the journal with recent pictures similar to the originals for the purpose of preserving Sofia’s intent of capturing their actual photographs in her journal.)

October 2, 1869

Dear Diary,

One of the places I find solitude and strength when challenged is within the walls of the University’s ancient church. The Holy Ghost church is one of the most important places in Heidelberg, and was formerly home to part of the collection that is now within the walls of the Palatine Library I mentioned previously.

The construction of a Roman basilica was first mentioned around 1200. In 1398 what is now the Holy Ghost Church was constructed. The nave’s style is typical of the late Gothic period, and the chancel alone took until 1410 to complete. The church tower was finished in the early 1500’s. The many years of construction allowed for awe inspiring results. The ancient church is both stable in construction and in spiritual fortitude. It has remained standing for so many years, and will continue for many to come. Heidelberg preserves its important buildings well because they are an important part of German history. The chancel once contained tombs of Heidelberg’s royalty, and now houses so much more than that. A sense of ancient peace and safety is mine when I sit within its walls.

One of the most interesting things about the church is that it houses two denominations of services. Both Protestant and Catholic services are held here, and a partition has been made so that both could subsist within its walls. This diversity gives the church a sense of character unique from any other churches in our area, and allows a wider range of the Heidelberg population to find religious harmony within its walls.

Love,

Sofia

Here is my sanctuary, the Holy Ghost Church.

Diary of Jessica Young

February 17, 2004

Deary Diary,

I have just received the diary of my distant relative, the famous mathematician, Sofia Kovalevskaya. She attended college informally at Heidelberg University. She eventually graduated with a PHD in Mathematics, but was not awarded Cum Laude because she was a woman. I have been considering her life at that time after reading her journal entries about life in Heidelberg and consider myself fortunate that University of Texas at Austin allows students of all genders and races to study here. I consider myself fortunate that the state of things has changed so much that any competent woman can now receive a formal education here in Austin, Texas and in Heidelberg Germany. Reading about the places in her life that have inspired her to record her experience in journal form to hand down into the future has motivated me to undertake a similar process. I would like to react to Sofia’s writing in my journal and hand mine down with hers so that the future may be able to discern my sense of place through the same process that I can feel my distant relative, Sofia’s.

Later,

Jess

September 2, 2004

Dear Diary,

This evening I have decided that Heidelberg’s castle is not unlike the tower at University of Texas. Both structures are a great source of pride for the towns in which they reside. Ironically, our UT tower glows with a similar orange light, though ours is man-made. The natural wonder of the castle must be far superior to the structure we all associate with the University of Texas, and richer in detail, but each has personified itself in relationship with the town by forging distinctive relationships with the people who inhabit the places in which they stand. The perspectives of both buildings when looking out at the respective hometowns are similar; Heidelburg castle safely guards its medieval city from its great height in the surrounding forest in the same way that the UT tower looms proudly in the sky maintaining the sense of campus life that is unique to the University.

Most architecture that deserves preservation is symbolic; landmarks set a tone for the rest of the town by the feelings they imply. These two buildings ascend above the skyline and have become notable parts of a sense of place found only in the hearts of the town where they live. This experience is, I think, what Sofia was trying to communicate in her journal and what I have learned by observing a similar structure on my own campus.

This is a representation of the resemblance in hue; the trademark glows that enchant cities on opposite sides of the Atlantic:

University of Texas Tower

(Mediterranean influence Beaux-arts style)

“The image carried in our memory when we think of the place” – Tower architect, Paul Phillipe Cret

Heidelberg Castle

(Medieval/Gothic style)

“Heidelberg Castle is the most magnificent ruin in Germany, especially at sunset”

- Dennis Callan

Deuce,

Jess

September 18, 2004

Dear Diary,

Today after I read Sofia’s journal entry about her feelings about being in the library and her walk to Old Town bridge I began to daydream. When I woke up this afternoon, I realized the connection between Sofia’s life and mine in Austin was too obvious to dream about.

As a college student who lives near campus, I am frequently in the library and traverse a bridge nearly every time I return home to my apartment near Town Lake. I enjoyed that the bridge was one of Sofia’s favorite places. The power of architecture gave us the ability to walk on (above) water, and the relaxing effect of watching it flow beneath is something I can relate to because I also enjoy walking across several of our famous bridges here in Austin. The Drake Bridge and the Congress Bridge are two of my favorite places at sunset.

My reaction to the library I visit most often is, however, quite different. The PCL Library is a stale maze of translating hallways with mundane colors. It is definitely associated in my mind with being trapped in a very large box. I cannot be productive there because I prefer to be in an environment rich in shapes and colors, rather than sitting stifled in a cubicle. If I had lived in Heidelberg, I would probably have studied more often (I kid). It seems I am more sympathetic to Heidelberg’s library. It seems more inviting and respectful to have a beautiful vision in the building which contains precious artifacts and literature.

I do, however, understand some reasons why UT library is not built in this style. The PCL conveys a sense of the future. It seems important in America to appear up to date and as if you are continually moving into the future. Sofia is teaching me that there is definite value in preserving the past, but its value’s true nature isn’t always so easy to articulate.

The PCL, one very large box: