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UNESCO World Heritage Site – Würzburg Residenz

The Würzburg Residenz is a mammoth building that encompasses art styles from around Europe.  The gardens are also an exquisite part of the reason that it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.


The Würzburg Residenz took over 50 years to build in the late 17th to early 18th centuries.  Built to house the Bishop-princes of Franconia, it was lavish and extremely expensive.  Unfortunately is was all but destroyed at the end of World War II, and now only a few rooms remain that are original.  These are the  the Vestibule, Garden Hall, White Hall, Staircase and Imperial Hall.  All others had to be reconstructed using photographs.

Wurzburg Residenz Germany is a fantastic must-see World Heritage Site.

To enter the main part of the building, you must buy a ticket (currently 9 Euros), but there are a few parts that you can visit for free.  The first is the gardens, which are locked after dusk, but open all other times.  And the second is the baroque Hofkirche or Court church that was consecrated in 1743.

Fresco is the four continents.

Once you enter and join your tour group, you will go through the Vestibule to the staircase.  The stairs are very shallow as it was important for the genteel folk to take their time climbing or descending the staircase.  The Vestibule is big enough for the horse-drawn carriages to come right in for pick up and drop off.  No need for anyone to deal with the outside elements.

The ceiling of the staircase is painted in a huge fresco depicting the four known continents of the world.  The one pictured is North America.  Note the native princess riding in on an alligator.  Pretty impressive, huh?

Coming up the Hapsburg stairs in the Wurzburg Residenz.

The frescoes were painted by the Venetian, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, and if you look closely over the statue’s shoulder you will see him peeking out over the ceiling’s corner at his creation.  (I love little things like this!)

Even though, I don’t think the Würzburg Residenz is the most exciting World Heritage Site that I’ve ever visited.  It certainly is worth the trip.  They have an English tour each day at 11:00 in the morning, and I would highly recommend taking it to learn of all the little stories and the exciting history of the building.

Amazing frescoes are found on the ceilings.

The city of Würzburg is also a great stopover while doing other sightseeing in Bavaria or Germany, in general, but more about that later!

Other World Heritage Sites in Germany:
Roman Empire Ruins
Trier, The Oldest City in Germany
Rothenburg ob. Tauber
Regensburg
Wartburg Castle
Quedlinburg

Have you been to Würzburg?  What did you think?  Did you visit the Residenz?  Or at least the gardens?

Author Bio: Corinne Vail is a travel photographer, food lover, and a perpetual traveler who has been travel writing for over 14 years. For many years she lived overseas in Germany, Japan, Turkey, South Korea, and the Netherlands teaching the children of the US. military. She’s visited over 90 countries, and she’s not stopping anytime soon.

Lance

Friday 19th of September 2014

I loved visiting Wurzburg this summer. The Residenz is great, but there are so many other things to do in the city. I'm really surprised you were able to take any photos inside the Residenz. They had guards everywhere who told people no photos. At any rate, glad you were able to take pics!

Corinne Vail

Saturday 20th of September 2014

Lance, We went on a private group tour of the Residenz, so I guess I was lucky. Yes, Wurzburg is a beautiful city!

konshoe

Monday 21st of April 2014

I had visited Wurzburg Residenz a few months back, and it was truly an amazing with the sculptures and frescoes within! I had my own experience shared in my blog below, hope you like it!

Drafts From My Coffee Table - Würzburg Residenz

Corinne Vail

Monday 21st of April 2014

Konshoe, I especially love the outside of the residence, but really it's a great site!