WÜRZBURG
Sightseeing

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Most of the city of Würzburg was destroyed during a 20-minute bombing raid on March 16, 1945. Although 80 percent of the town was destroyed, the old part with the Baroque masterpieces has been carefully rebuilt or restored. This university city is home to two impressive royal constructions, the Residence, a UNESCO-World Heritage site, and the Marienberg Fortress.  

The Residenz Palace: UNESCO world cultural heritage site, most important work of the South German Baroque. The Residence, built from 1720 to 1744, is one of Europe's most ornate palaces and served as the home of Würzburg's prince-bishops. Its highlights are numerous, but among the most significant are the frescoes, including the largest ceiling-painting in the world, by the Venetian Tiepolo. Not to be missed are the court gardens, site of summer concerts.

Dom (Cathedral)  of St. Kilian : This is Germany's fourth largest Romanesque church. The cathedral was built in 1045-1188, its patron saint an Irish monk who came to Würzburg in the year 686 and died a martyr's death. The Romanesque main nave of the cathedral is in sharp contrast with the Baroque stucco embellishments of the choir. In the north nave is a group of bishops' tombs. Two of these are made by Tilman Riemenschneider.

The Marienburg Fortress: The city's most famous monument, residence of the prince bishops until 1719. Before construction of the Residence, the prince-bishops of Würzburg lived in the Marienberg Fortress on a hill across the Main River from the town proper and dating from the early 1200s. It now houses the Mainfränkisches Museum (Franconian Museum) with a famous collection of the works of T. Riemenschneider.

Alte Mainbrücke (Old bridge over the river Main) : this beautiful bridge connects the old town with the Marienburg fortress. It is the oldest bridge over the Main river and was built in 1473-1543.

Juliusspital : founded in 1576 by Julius Echter. The hospital was remodelled in the 17th and 18th centuries. The Roccoco pharmacy (1760-1765) has survived well and is certainly worth a visit.