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City in Bavaria, Germany
Photo: Bbb, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Würzburg or Wuerzburg (and sometimes misspelled as Wurzburg) is in Franconia, in northern Bavaria, Germany. It is the largest city in the Lower Franconia region, famous throughout Germany for its wine and as the northern end of the Romantic Road.
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The Residenz is one of the finest palaces in Europe and famous for its grand staircase. It is regarded as one of the finest pieces of Baroque art in the world as such it has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The building was designed by Balthasar Neuman, and the largest fresco in the world, above the grand staircase, was painted by Tiepolo. The palace has 300 rooms, spread over 3 wings. There is also a chapel (Hofkirche) also decorated by Tiepolo which is free to enter and well worth a visit. Its gardens are also built with fortification in mind. Guided tours in English daily at 11:00 & 15:00 and is included in the ticket.
A massive 9-hectare garden designed with Rococo style in mind by Johann Prokop Mayer of Bohemia surrounds three sides of the Residenz, although the West Garden was simply designed yet dubbed unfinished, due to the death of builder Adam Friedrich. Each garden has its own features: cone-trimmed yews around the south fountain; parterre, portico, and garden sculptures at the east, and what is now part of the city park complex surrounding the inner city at the west.
Marienberg Fortress and Princes' Building
The former complex of the prince-bishop before the Residenz from the 11th to the 18th century, it is the highest point of the city by a hundred meters more than the surrounding land. Thus, the long hike to the top is paid off by a view of the entire town so wonderful, even locals still go here frequently. The viewpoint is adjacent to the Prince's Garden The inside court features a keep and church, whose interior is Renaissance with the first touches of Baroque. For somewhere to wind down, there are two restaurants and a free restroom. Guided tours in English are at 15:00 weekends and holidays from April to October.
Alte Mainbrücke
Not unlike Prague's St. Charles Bridge, it is a pedestrian-only bridge with six statues of kings and saints of historic importance for Catholicism in Franconia on each side. Under the bridge are water locks for ship traffic control on the Main, one of German's most important rivers. Locals would stand here admiring the splendid views of the fort and the river, all while sipping their glass of wine or bottle of beer.
The four-storey tower was built in 1724-1729 by Balthasar Neumann to guard the south flank of the Marienberg fortress. Above the three levels for heavy artillery is a platform for riflemen, equipped with normal firing slits and 21 vertical openings angled downwards: these are the "Maschikulis" from which the tower takes its name. On the valley side the tower is decorated with coats of arms of the Prince Bishop Christoph Franz von Hutten dating from 1727, the work of Jakob van der Auvera. Above them is a bust of St Nepomuk.
Other than the Maria Chapel next to it, the exterior stands out from the rest of the buildings within sight. The curved gables and bright yellow white paint are Rococo decors, a conception from Barbara Meißner in 1751, whose late husband owned the property. It now houses the Tourist Information Office and the City Library.
St. Killian's Cathedral
One of the largest Romanesque's churches in Germany, the Catholic church in its present form was built from 1040 to 1075 and consecrated in 1187. Objects of interest include a 700-year old bronze baptismal font, an expressionist bronze portal, a menorah at the main entrance, and The Schönborn chapel with its fresco.
This building essentially dominates the market square, thanks to its size and its dominant red paint. The chapel, erected in 1377, is a mixture between a basilica and a hall church that was popular in the late-Gothic period and its three portals portray late Gothic to early Renaissance design, each with its own delicate carving at its tympanum, depicting of some of the key events of Christianity. At the top of the tower is a gold-covered statue of Mary.
Little Chapel
A church at the hillside near the fortress. From its humble beginnings as the site of an erected pieta in 1640, at which at least four miracles were reported, a chapel was then built around it. Balthasar Neumann, the same architect that designed the Residence, built a church that incorporated the old chapel in 1750, though the interiors were actually not finished until 71 years later. Because of its extensive collection of life-size statues and classic interior, being the only church intact during the 1945 bombing, it is an extremely popular place for weddings, in addition to pilgrimage during the Marian holidays and Pentecost. Behind the church are the Stations of the Cross staggered on 5 floors, with each of the station hosting meticulously carved statues at least two meters wide.
Neumünster St. Johannes Evangelist und St. Johannes der Täufer
Mightily standing from the 11th century and now clipped between shops, its narrow pink Romanesque facade gives way to Baroque beauty inside. The white wall is a nice contrast to gold finishes and colorful altar and murals. Something also worth looking is a Madonna from the workshop of Tilman Riemenschneider and the St. Kilian's Crypt.
An 800-seat local theater showcasing opera, plays, dances, and orchestras. Many of the plays are recited in their original language with German subtitles displayed above the stage. Select shows feature free seating for students.
The largest Franconian wine producer is part of the Juliusspital Foundation, founded in 1576 by Bishop Julius Echter. It is no wonder that their cellar is located at the city centre, at the grounds of the hospital of the same name. Tours and choice of 3 wine tastings Saturdays at 14:00 from March to December. Its diverse portfolio of wines can also be seen at its ownVinothek.
A public skatepark frequented by youngsters located at the Main River bank.
Cozy cafe that opens until late. Simple menus like salads, breads, and desserts at all times. More substantial meals are offered in menu of the week during lunch.
A large city centre döner shop, open until late at night for something more substantial.
The seemingly small food stall in the middle of Markplatz caters to a long line of customers by lunchtime that moves quickly invariably with only 1 item in mind: the Franconian roasted sausage sandwiched in bread. The quickest way to order this to simply mention eine mit for with mustard or eine ohne for without.
A gourmet grocery store complete with cafeteria style restaurant and dedicated Vinothek. Its menus change daily and quickly gets crowded during lunch rush, but Sunday brunch and buffet events on many other days are when the restaurant is at full capacity, for which a reservation is usually needed.
Another staple for cheap meal in the heart of the city. To order, you first need to make a selection and pay. Behind the counter you can see the bread kneaded by hand. The smiling owner serves the customer. Vegan friendly options.
Large café on the main square to the right of the Falkenhaus. Extensive selection of desserts, ice cream, pastries and coffee, popular with the elderly and mothers. Usually full seating.
A sports bar. Wednesday is the half-price day for cocktails.
The oldest pizzeria in Germany dating back to the 1950s. Classic Italian thin crust with simple toppings, in addition to warm pastas and calzones. Alternatively, opt for its tapas. In the basement is a seemingly diminutive blue grotto.
Greek restaurant. Extensive selection from the grill or oven, or platters if you want a bit of everything. Many vegan options.
Italian and Mediterranean cuisine for a substantial meal. It is more famous however for its extensive selection of desserts and ice cream, especially its spaghettieis, which is simply ice cream extruded through ricer that gives its form of the namesake pasta dish.
Assorted Mexican (with a little touch of Texas and California) food. Tacos, nachos, burritos, and fajitas are served in quantities filling enough for two. Huge variety of cocktails
An Italian restaurant.
Delicious food from the Franconian area. If you just want to sip a wine and enjoy them on the Old Bridge, try their street-side kiosk.
The local brewery brews excellent wheat beer (Weißbier), which carries the name of a 1600s bishop of Würzburg, Julius Echter. Basically this beer is served for you in almost all the local bars, if you order a Hefe.
From fresh coffee for breakfast, to white and rose wine for dinner. Assorted tea selection and other hot drinks for non-alcoholic choices.
Biergarten Alter Kranen
Relax to a sip of beer while sitting on the benches next to the Main River and admire the view of the Old Bridge and the Marienberg Fortress.
A club that opens only thrice a week, with thematic music selections (although 1990s and 2000s nights are recurring) and occasional performances by DJs from the local radio station.
Dance club with chic drinks and modern interior.
Rooms can range from one to ten beds. Tailored itineraries for do-it-yourself tours can be asked for at the receptionist. Breakfast and packed lunch also offered at its restaurant.
Member of the Hosteling International (HI). Rooms can range from one to eight beds, adding up to a total of 238 beds. Inclusive breakfast buffet, and packed lunches can be provided upon request.
Simple hotel opposite the train station. Rooms range from a single bed to a 4 person apartment with shared bathroom.
A small hotel just off Highway 8 at eastern part of town. Good bus connection to city. 67 rooms with double and triple beds.
A small 14 room hotel with 6 single and 8 double rooms. Cozy and quaint breakfast room with complementary breakfast buffet alongside the owner's favourite creature: teddy bears, which she also lets you bring for repair.
Hotel in the city centre and just one minute to the Main River bank.
Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. The largest hotel in Würzburg with more than 240 rooms and a splendid view of the city center and the Main River. Dedicated turndown service at its suites. Multilingual staff. From €110 per night.
Hotel with a wonderful view of the Main River and the Marienberg Fortress. Spacious rooms with wooden flooring and complementary breakfast.
A 4-star century-old hotel close to both the city centre and the main train station. Classic interior.
The clothing brand S.Oliver has its roots in Würzburg. Here is its only outlet store.
Wine collection, both red and white, from the Bürgerspital brand, with opportunities for tasting flights and even pairing with a platter of your choice.
Flagship store of the Juliusspital brand. Generous samples and personalized suggestions. You can even drink the wine on the spot with bring-your-own snacks.
Collection of wine from various brands around Germany. Also offers private tastings of 5 wines and a sparkling wine with curated recommendation.
By train
Internationally, there's also an Austrian Nightjet sleeper train two nights a week, north via Frankfurt airport and Cologne to Brussels and south to Vienna, Munich and Innsbruck.
By bus
All public and private buses are served at the Busbahnhof on the left side of the main train station.
By car
Würzburg has an excellent connection to the German "Autobahn" (highway)-system.
By ship
Cruises along the Main River often feature a stop at Würzburg, docking adjacent to the city centre.
On foot
Most of the commercial and tourist spots in Würzburg are contained within the Ringpark.
Public transportation
Würzburg is well served by five tram lines (German: Straßenbahn or locally: Straba) and a handful of bus routes (some of which also run all night) will take you to the suburbs.
By car
While a car is not necessarily needed in the city centre (and forbidden on many roads within the city centre), it might be useful for venturing out elsewhere, especially to the Marienberg fortress,…
By taxi
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