May 4 Thur. Wurzburg - a Baroque City!

The ship was docked next to the city center when we awoke.

 Across the river was the Marienberg Fortress.   The Celts built a ring fortress at a lower level a thousand years before Christ.    This was the home of the prince-bishops, built in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Here's a snippet of the choices we had today :

We chose the .. walking tour.   We met our local guide and started walking towards the old main bridge, built between 1473-1543.

You'll see another picture later in the day when we were departing Wurzburg that showed many many people on the bridge enjoying a glass of Franconian wine and visiting.    There are many vineyards in the hills in the background.

This is the old city hall, the Rat Haus, with the first fresh water fountain.

Wurzburg was controlled by prince-bishops of the Holy Roman Empire for hundreds of years.   They controlled all facets of life in the area.   Wurzburg still has over 50 active churches.   I'll show you three of the most elaborate.

This is the 'Marien Kapelle', at the edge of the market square.  Sad history - it was built over a destroyed synagogue when the Jews were blamed for the outbreak of the plague.   Built between 1377-1479.

The 'Neumunster Church' was started in 1060 and renovated in 1180-1250.   This is the location that the Irish itinerant preacher, Kilian, and two of his assistants, were murdered in 689 for trying to persuade the current ruler that his marriage was 'unchristian'.   

In 1725 the interior was redesigned in the very ornate Baroque style.   It took our breath away!

Next up is the Wurzburg Cathedral ... another stunner!

To the left and right of the altar was :

and .. the impressive organ :

We walked to the Wurzburg Residence, where the prince-bishops built themselves a grand palace to move into from the fortress on the other side of the river.

We walked through the garden on the side of the palace.

What a pretty place!   We really enjoyed walking around and sniffing!

After more exploring in the afternoon we returned to the ship for our departure down river.    Our guide, in the morning session, told us that the old bridge is quite the gathering spot for locals on nice weather days.   Shops on both sides of the bridge sell .. 'wine-to-go' glasses .. so that you can visit with friends and visitors.

See all the people on the bridge?

and along the river bank ?

It was time for dinner.

'Traditional Rheinischer Sauerbraten' : braised beef, red cabbage, williams potato, raisin sauce.

'Salty caramel' :  caramel cake, fleur de sel, chocolate, rum raisin ice cream.

A very impressive city.   35,000 college students.   An electric tram city transportation system.   Churches everywhere!    Many styles of architecture from various eras.   My little brother was born here in the US Army hospital.   A fun visit!    Now it's time to cruise overnight on the Main (means 'snake' in old Celtic German) to .. Wertheim, another medieval town.

Take care,   Jan & Joe