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 "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.

Würzburg 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," the Würzburg Residence, from 1719 to 1744. Balthasar Neumann from Eger (1687-1753) was in great demand as an architect throughout southern and western Germany in the mid-18th century. Finally, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, the well-known Venetian, came to Würzburg to embellish Neumann's great staircase and the Imperial Hall with gleaming gold. Tiepolo painted the vast fresco on the ceiling above the famous staircase, thereby creating the largest painting in the world.

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The mighty "Festung Marienberg" (Marienberg Fortress) is the symbol of Würzburg and served as a home of the prince-bishops for nearly five centuries.

In 704 A.D., the "Marienkirche" (St. Mary's Church) was built atop a former Celtic shelter and in the 13th century was surrounded by the first fortification. In 1482, the main castle was encircled by a medieval ring wall with the "Scherenbergertor" (Scherenberg Gate). In about 1600, Julius Echter rebuilt the fortress into a Renaissance palace. After the conquest by Gustav Adolf of Sweden in 1641, the fortress was reconstructed as a Baroque fortification, and a princely park was laid out.

The Baroque Armory, built 1702-1712, houses the "Mainfränkisches Museum" (Main Franconian Museum), an excellent collection of Franconian works of art, including world-famous sculptures by Tilman Riemenschneider and the "Fürstenbau Museum". The mighty "Festung Marienberg" is the symbol of Würzburg and served as a home of the prince-bishops for nearly five wing of the fortress offers a stroll through 1200 years of Würzburg's history.

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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 townsmen. Inside are tombstones of Franconian knights and Würzburg citizens such as Konrad von Schaumberg (by Tilman Riemenschneider) and Balthasar Neumann.

At the portal are Riemenschneider's world famous sandstone sculptures of Adam and Eve. Next to it is the "Falkenhaus" (Falcon House), the most splendid of Würzburg's Baroque mansions. Its Rococo stucco-work facade was added in 1751. Today you will find the Tourist Office in the mansion.

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The "Dom St. Kilian" (St. Kilian Cathedral) is one of the main works of German architecture and the fourth largest Romanesque church in Germany.

Construction was started in 1040 and numerous additions and changes were made until the 18th century, so that Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles are visible. Although the Cathedral was destroyed in 1945, the Baroque stucco work in the transept and the choir were preserved. It was re-consecrated in 1967.

An impressive number of tombstones inside the Cathedral includes the period of the 12th to the 20th centuries. An artistic highlight is Riemenschneider's tombstone for the Princebishop Scherenberg. Connected to the Cathedral is the "Schönbornkapelle" (Schönborn Chapel), designed by Balthasar Neumann.

Please note: Würzburg Cathedral is closed for renovation now. We are looking forward to the reopening for the 2012 Christmas season.

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A Romanesque basilica was built during the 11th century above the grave site of the Franconian martyrs Kilian, Kolonat and Totnan.

An impressive Baroque facade and a cupola were added from 1710-1716. The rich interior houses treasures such as a Madonna and the tombstone of the abbot Trithemius by Riemenschneider.

Parts of an old cloister from the 12th-century Staufer era, including the grave site of medieval poet and minstrel singer Walther von der Vogelweide, are situated behind  the "Neumünsterkirche" (Neumünster Church) in the "Lusamgärtchen" (Lusam Garden).

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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

Erected from 1473 to 1543 in place of an old Roman bridge. The characteristic statues of the Saints were added around 1730.

This "Wallfahrtskirche Käppele" (Pilgrimage Church Käppele) designed by Balthasar Neumann was built from 1748-1750 next to the old "Gnadenkapelle".

The interior includes magnificent stucco works and frescoes. The Stations of the Cross (the largest in Germany) with 14 sculptures lead up to the church.

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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.

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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.

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The prince-bishops' summer resort is a jewel of Baroque architecture and horticultural art.

The "Veitshöchheim Sommerpalast" (Veithöchsheim Summer Palace) - just a few miles north (40 minutes by excursion boat; ongoing departures from the "Alter Kranen" (Old Crane) of the Würzburg city limits - is well worth the trip and perhaps a 90-minute visit. Although the palace is charming, it's the extensive gardens - one of the most impressive "Rokokogärten" (Rococo Gardens) in Europe - that appeal most.

The gardens show formality buffered by a strong sense of whimsy. Wooded boulevards branch off to hedge-rimmed pavilions. Statues of gods and mythological beings mingle with those of peasants and shepherds. A winged horse spouts water from an island fountain in an artificial lake. (Bring some bread and watch the giant carp and ducks fight over it). Perhaps most interesting: a grotto inhabited by creatures formed entirely from seashells, like a hideous, razor-toothed monkey. Benches are placed every 50 feet or so for reflection or relief.

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