Attractions in Würzburg
Gateway to the Romantic Road
This lively city is the northern gateway to the Romantic Road, a trade route from the Middle Ages still traveled by visitors seeking the best of medieval Germany. Today it is a surprisingly cosmopolitan Bavarian city filled with architectural and artistic treasures - and exquisite Franconian wine. As Würzburg is situated in the heart of Franconian wine country, wine and wine-making are central to city life.Würzburg is dominated by its most prominent landmark, the Festung Marienberg (Marienberg Fortress). The origins of this fortress date back to around 1000 B.C., when a Celtic fortified refuge existed on this site. Since the foundation of the Würzburg bishopric in 742, the city has been the region's religious center. The city experienced its most prosperous period during the rule of the art-loving prince-bishops of the Schönborn family, for whom Balthasar Neumann built the "palace of palaces" from 1719 to 1744. Known as the Würzburger Residenz (Würzburg residence), a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is arguably the most ornate Baroque palace in Germany.
The prince-bishops hired some of Europe's finest architects, sculptors and painters, and their legacy can be seen on nearly every block. Sights worth exploring include the Dom St. Kilian's (St. Kilian Cathedral) for its exquisite architecture and the adjacent Neumünsterkirche (Neumünster Church), built where missionaries were killed in 689 and the destination for thousands of pilgrims every July 7. Behind this church is the Lusamgärtchen (Lusam Garden), where the tombstone of the medieval poet, Walther von der Vogelweide, can be found. Mention should also be made of the Marienkapelle (Chapel of St. Mary) on the "Marktplatz" (Market Square) as one of the most interesting late-Gothic Bavarian churches. Würzburg (like its visitors) benefits from its prime location on the Main River. The promenade makes for delightful strolls, and riverfront cafés overflow in good weather. Sightseeing boats offer excursions to neighboring villages, and passenger ships plying the Rhine, Main and Danube Rivers make the city a prime stop.
The prince-bishops' summer resort is a jewel of Baroque architecture and horticultural art. 
The "Residenz" (Residence), built from 1720-1744 according to plans of the genius Balthasar Neumann, is the main work of south German Baroque and one of the most important castles in Europe. 
A Romanesque basilica was built during the 11th century above the grave site of the Franconian martyrs Kilian, Kolonat and Totnan. 
The "Museum am Dom" (Museum at the Cathedral) of the Würzburg Diocese shows art without any art historical, national, religious or ideological demarcation lines. Works are presented there by contemporary, internationally acclaimed artists as well as masters of the Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque Periods. What the Museum am Dom endeavors to convey, in an exciting juxtaposition of old and modern art, is what these artists actually had in mind. 
The "Marienkapelle" (Chapel of St. Mary) at the "Marktplatz" (Market Square) is one of the most interesting late-Gothic Bavarian churches. Started in 1377, it was finished in 1481 as a symbol of self-confident towmen. Inside are tombstones of Franconian knights and Würzburg citizens such as Konrad von Schaumberg (by Tilman Riemenschneider) and Balthasar Neumann. 
The mighty "Festung Marienberg" (Marienberg Fortress) is the symbol of Würzburg and served as a home of the prince-bishops for nearly five centuries. 
This "Wallfahrtskirche K
This foundation of Princebishop Julius Echter dates back to 1576 and is an impressive, castle-like Baroque building which hosts a hospital and a home for the elderly. Also inside - one of Germany's oldest, largest and most renowned wineries, whose proceeds subsidize the hospital and home. In its historic courtyard, there is a beautiful pavilion from 1714 and a Baroque fountain from 1706. The wine cellar (400 year-old) is nearly 800 feet long and filled with 220 wooden wine barrels. 
The "Dom St. Kilian" (St. Kilian Cathedral) is one of the main works of German architecture and the fourth largest Romanesque church in Germany. 
The "Bürgerspital - Weingut zum Heiligen Geist" (Bürgerspital - Wine Estate to the Holy Spirit) dates back to the year 1319, when patricians founded the social foundation. The buildings include a small Gothic church with sculptures and a picturesque courtyard with arcades. The "Bürgerspital" also represents the birthplace of the "Bocksbeutel", the uniquely formed bottle used for Franconian wines. 
From the "Alte Mainbrücke" (Old Main Bridge), you will enjoy fantastic views of the "Festung Marienberg" (Marienberg Fortress), the "Wallfahrtskirche Käppele" (Pilgrimage Church Käppele) and the famous vineyards 
This summer palace of the Prince-Bishops of Würzburg lies 8 kilometres down the Main River amidst one of Germany’s most significant Rococo gardens. 