Before 1870, when Germany was unified, there were several independent German States, some of which were ruled by bishops, known as “Prince Bishops.” Würzburg, in Bavaria, was one such ecclesiastical principality. Würzburg was heavily damaged in WWII, but has been lovingly rebuilt.
Würzburg is famous for its Baroque and Rococo architecture. This style developed in Catholic areas, with the intention of reconverting Protestants to the Catholic faith, by the use of ornate architectural design, paintings and sculptures. Rococo is the extreme in ornate design.

The Fortress Museum sits atop the hill overlooking Würzburg. It is a reconstructed 13th Century fortress, housing art and history museums, with formal terrace gardens.

The Old Main Bridge, leading from the river Main to the Old Town area of Würzburg, is the city’s oldest stone bridge, featuring statues of saints and other icons, and is open to pedestrians only.

An old wall along the river – possibly a Roman wall

The Falcon House and The Würzburger Cathedral in the background, with its double steeples

The Falcon House, a former priest‘s house and inn, with a gabled, stucco Rococo-style facade, rebuilt after WWII

The Old Town Hall


New Munster Collegiate Church, a decorative Baroque church on the site of a former abbey

Four Tubes Fountain, an 18th Century Baroque fountain with a obelisk with sculptures and a coat of arms


The rear of New Munster Collegiate Church

Würzburg Residenz – an 18th Century palace finished in 1744, which housed the royal family





The Versailles-like gardens of The Residenz


We stumbled upon Würzburg University on our way back to the ship

The Kappele Würzburg (“Little Chapel”) in the hills above the city
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