Romantic Road: Wurzburg

When you read tour books about Germany, they almost always recommend you travel on what they call the Romantic Road which was a trade route during the middle ages.  It still retains much of its medieval charm. The road winds through  rolling countrysides and picturesque villages nestled in the Alps.  The region also includes romantic palaces and Fairytale castles like Neuschwanstein.  We knew we were going to visit Munich and Neuschwanstein later on with the Reese family, but we wanted to visit some other places along this route on our own.  The first stop on the Romantic Road is Wurzburg. 

Würzburg is in a winegrowing region in Bavaria along the river Main. It used to be home to some of the powerful prince-bishops who built a huge baroque palace.  It is on the UNESCO World Culture Heritage list.  It was built from 1720-1744 and finally finished in 1780.  There is a grand staircase is world famous fresco.  It is the largest fresco ever reated.  It is 18 X 30 meters long.    Most of the palace was destroyed during WWII, but there is still over 40 rooms to visit.  Every single one is elaborate and ornate.   We weren't able to take any pictures, but afterwards we walked outside and toured the beautiful gardens. 

After we toured the palace, we walked around the town.  We followed a crowd to a medieval pedestrian bridge.  There were tons of people sampling wine at one o the many stands along the brdge.  Across the river Main is Marienberg Fortress.  It is a castle that was built high on the hill overlooking the whole city.  It was built in 1201.  It was the original home of the Prince-Bishops who ruled the area before they built the Residenz palace.