Würzburg at Night!

Sailing from Bamberg, we arrived at Würzburg in the early afternoon.

Around 2 PM, we departed by bus for a short walk to get to Würzburg’s Residenz Palace.

Our All Aboard time tonight wasn’t until 9 PM, so we had an opportunity to explore the city and especially the Christmas Market at night!

We could see the Marienberg Fortress as we walked along the river. It served as the residence of the local prince-bishops for nearly five centuries, from the 13th to the 18th centuries.

 

 

The other incredible building up on the hill is the Pilgrimage Church of the Visitation of Mary.

 

 

But our ultimate destination was the Residence Palace. It’s not to be missed if you’re visiting Würzburg!

 

Residenz Palace

Until the early 18th century, the Prince-Bishops of Würzburg lived in the fortress we saw on the hill.

Johann Philipp Franz von Schonborn moved the court from the fortress to a palace erected on this site in 1701-1704. 

However, he decided the palace was too small and didn’t measure up to his status as Absolute Monarch. 

Using money he won in a court case, and with the support and guidance of several prominent family members. In later years, family squabbles over the size of the building almost halted construction of the north wing. 

 

 

Building and adornments continued over several generations, only to be destroyed during WWII bombings. Fortunately, many of the furnishings and wall panels had been removed for safekeeping.

Between 1945 and 1987, the building and its interiors were reconstructed to their current state at a cost of approximately 20 million Euros.

Today, 40 period rooms are open to the public.

 

Franconia Fountain 

The Franconia fountain is located in front of the Residenz Palace. It is a 1894 monument celebrating Prince Regent Luitpold of Bavaria.

 

 

It is adorned with sculptures of regional artists and symbolizes Franconia’s artistic heritage.

 

 

 

Entering the Vestibule

You enter the residence through the vestibule. It’s just a small door set inside one of three bigger doors in the center of the front entrance of the Residenz Palace.

There was a bag check, bathrooms, and storage lockers off to one side. A “Garden Hall sat directly ahead, and just past the Christmas tree were a set of stairs with a red runner.

The foyer was designed to accommodate a full-size carriage with horses. And to turn the carriage around with the doors closed.

And other than a medallion in the ceiling, we had NO IDEA what was ahead.

 

Garden Hall

Straight through the foyer was The Garden Room. Waiting for Chuck to check his bag, Mark walked through and was already blown away.

It was meant to connect the palace’s central vestibule and staircase to the Palace Gardens just beyond the room. At the same time, it’s known for its twelve slender freestanding marble columns and low vaulted ceiling; it’s the ceiling art that blows you away.

The ceiling paintings depict “The Banquet of the Gods” and “Diana in Repose.”

 

 

And, that’s just the beginning!

 

The Staircase

Calling this space “The Staircase” is REALLY underselling it!

In contrast to winding staircases in medieval castles, this baroque style became a reception room of grandeur. Spanning several floors, the railings are lined with ornate statues.

 

 

 

And then you reach the top!

 

 

The unsupported vaulted ceiling spans 18 m x 30 m. The painting is 600 square meters and represents the magical worlds of the continents of America, Asia, and Africa, with Europe represented by the Würzburg court as the center of the arts.

The natural light, the painting, the statues, and the plasterwork are nothing short of spectacular!

 

 

The White Hall

Off to one side of the staircase, you enter the White Hall. Designed to contrast the bold colors of the staircase and several adjoining rooms. Its stucco decorations are set against a pale grey background.

 

 

 

Imperial Hall

In another direction, you enter the Imperial Hall with its 9-meter-high half columns, reddish stucco work, marble, and a large oval dome.

The three ceiling frescoes depict the political history of the principality of Würzburg at the time of Emperor Friedrich Barbarossa.

 

 

Imperial Apartments

We were also able to enter a few of the Imperial Apartments.

These lined both the North and South Wings of the palace. They were generally interconnected, had hidden doors, and typically included an Audience Room for receiving guests, a changing room, and then a sleeping chamber.

These were typical of German Baroque palaces and incredibly lavish. We got to visit the Venetian room with its tapestries and Venetian glass chandeliers, and the spectacular Mirror Cabinet with its mirrored walls, inlaid paintings, and gold adornment.

 

 

IMPORTANT MESSAGE!

Making our way down from the apartments, we passed by multiple displays of ruins from WWII, some portraits, and even a small carousel. Ending in the gift shop, we purchased an ornament and proceeded to leave the palace.

Near the gift shop, you’ll see signs for bathrooms and “The Chapel.”

Do NOT exit through the front, take the long walk down a boring hallway, but DO NOT skip the Chapel.

 

Court Church

The Chapel, officially known as the Court Church, was consecrated in 1743.

The architect succeeded in building this church in the southwest corner of the building. It has curved walls and three oval dome vaults, all built within the four-story palace facade. Court artisans crafted all decorative elements.

 

 

And it’s SPECTACULAR!

 

Walking Around Town

Leaving the Residenz Palace, we made our way through town, mainly a downtown shopping district that eventually led to the Christmas Market.

One of the highlights was seeing Würzburg Cathedral, Dom St. Kilian, one of the largest Romanesque Cathedrals in the country.

Construction began in 1040, and after being heavily damaged by bombing in 1945, it was rebuilt.

The Kiliansportal of the cathedral features massive bronze doors with relief sculptures depicting scenes and figures from the history of the diocese and St. Kilian.

 

 

Nearby, we passed the Nuemünster Collegiate Church, built in the 11th century and thought to be the burial site of St. Kilian. The front side of the church is a baroque masterpiece!

 

 

Würzburg Christmas Market

This market was adjacent to the shopping district and, while a little more modern in its styling, was wonderful.

 

 

It had a tiny holiday Ferris wheel, horse-drawn carriages, and traditional mulled wine being sold under a large multi-story Christmas Pyramid.

 

 

There was a stage with coral groups and bands. We arrived just in time to hear the brass ensemble finish White Christmas.

 

 

We also got to see Saint Nicholas giving out candy!

 

 

We’re sure visiting at night had a lot to do with our excitement, but we really enjoyed this market!

We also got to see the fortress light up as we headed back to the Monarch Queen, in time for dinner and our departure for our next destination. Wertheim!