Travel + Life Abroad, Würzburg
Another ‘burg
So it turns out Bamberg wasn’t the final ‘berg/’burg, indeed there was one glaring Bavarian city missing from the list. A city a few people had recommended time and time again, one I had for some reason, continually glossed over.
Würzburg.
So, we threw a pretzel and hit another ‘burg. Mum and I hopped on a train and travelled out to Würzburg (via Nürnberg, where I was able to, during our brief wait for our connecting train, change Mum’s mind on pretzels. Hitherto she hadn’t been a fan, so we swung by a bakery and changed that.)
And then we pulled into Würzburg, yet another glorious jewel in Bavaria’s sparkly medieval crown, an old city hemmed by vineyards and home of the UNESCO Heritage listed Würzburg Residenz, a sensational cathedral, Baroque chapel, and – natürlich – Christmas markets.
We bowled into the city in the early afternoon, with not much of a plan and a text from SG saying ‘just make sure you get to the Residenz.’ Map-less (and generally useless at reading them anyway – I am, not necessarily my mother, although … kidding Ma) we wandered towards a few spires we could see piercing the grey, and eventually found where it was all happening.
From the enormous Dom, it’s a two minute stroll up to the Residenz, where we popped in an hour before it closed (perfect, accidental timing is a wonderful occurrence when one shuns a map and follows one’s nose). No photos were allowed to be taken, so you’ll have to check out this extraordinary building here.
Now the question is … do we go back to Würzburg when Dad joins us, thereby pushing Regensburg off the list, or do we stick with Regensburg?
Aidan
11 December, 2013 at 1:26 pmAlthough I haven’t been to Würzburg, Regensburg is a cracker of a town (or should I say city, I never know), it’s so lively and it’s buildings so original. I wouldn’t miss it on any Bavarian excursion 🙂
Liv
11 December, 2013 at 1:29 pmBrilliant – tend to agree.
hans
11 December, 2013 at 2:58 pmGo back in the Spring or Summer to experience the beautiful gardens behind the Residenz and also not to be missed is the Fortress Marienberg on the Hill across the Main River overlooking Würzburg.
Liv
12 December, 2013 at 6:23 pmThe gardens looked like they’d be stunning in the Spring. Might have to return.
Sabrina
11 December, 2013 at 3:35 pmyou should definitly try to visit another Burg: Rothenburg ob der Tauber http://www.tourismus.rothenburg.de/
It is very lovely and has a beautiful medieval city center and city wall.
Plus there is a Weihnachtsmarkt the whole year… well not a traditional one with Buden but like a museum.
Liv
12 December, 2013 at 6:23 pmOhhhh, I have been there before (but not at Christmas) and I have to say – I loved it.
teampassau
14 December, 2013 at 4:44 pmWow, I need to visit this beautiful city! Have you already been to Passau? It’s definitely worth visiting too!
Liv
14 December, 2013 at 6:28 pmI have heard so many wonderful things about Passau, and I WILL get there before our Bavarian days are over!
germanymarie
14 December, 2013 at 9:10 pmThis is where I lived for 4 years! The key to getting photos in the Residenz is to do it from the back of the group and make sure to turn the sound and the flash OFF:) Also, the gardens behind it are best in the spring… you know this is where they filmed the 3 Musketeers, right? Make sure to get up to the Fortress (Festung) also, as the view from the top is excellent!