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Of all the great cities of Southern Germany, Würzburg
possesses one of the most beautiful settings, for the
ancient city lies on a particularly charming stretch of
the River Main, and vineyards producing some of
Franconia’s best wine extend almost to the riverbank –
in the very heart of the town! Towering above, stands
the Marienberg fortress, the former seat of the
prince-bishops who once reigned over the city.
Visible from afar, the towers of the ancient cathedral
and the city’s many churches create an unforgettable
impression. This is one of Germany’s major centres of
art and architecture, the city of Tilman Riemenschneider,
Germany’s greatest Gothic sculptor and woodcarver, many
of whose finest works are to be found in Würzburg’s
cathedral, churches and museums. But above all, it is
the city of Balthasar Neumann, indisputably Germany’s
best Baroque architect, whose “Residenz”, the later seat
of the princebishops, is quite simply the finest Baroque
palace in the country. The wonderful ceiling by Tiepolo
above the Grand Staircase of the Residenz would alone be
worth a visit to Würzburg.
Würzburg is surrounded by wine country, and an excursion
to sample the dry but fruity Franconian white wine, will
appeal to all wine connoisseurs. |
