Würzburg Residenz

After after exploring the walls and grounds of the Marienberg Fortress while on our honeymoon in July 2010, our thirst for castle-romping was not yet satiated.  So we made our way to an entirely different sort of castle - the Würzburg Residenz, located just 1.8km away across the Main River.

(Sidenote:  German has two words for castle: burg and schloss.  A burg is a defensive castle, replete with ramparts, walls, moats -- just like the Marienberg Fortress.  A schloss, however, is more like a palace than a castle, and the Würzburg Residenz is a perfect example of such.)

Grand Staircase. Source.

The Residenz is not nearly as old as the Marienberg Fortress, having only been completed in the 1780s.  The grounds and gardens are beautiful and extensive, adequately reflecting the grandeur and beauty of the Residenz itself.  Despite having suffered heavy damage during World War II, the Residenz has been restored to its former glory and is an excellent example of Austrian/South German Baroque architecture.  Upon entrance into the palace, visitors are greeted with a stunning grand staircase over-arced with an impressive vaulted ceiling, which at one point was the largest unsupported vaulted ceiling in Europe.  The fresco depicts the four continents of Europe, Asia, Africa and America.  Unfortunately, photos were not permitted inside, but you can see the ceiling fresco and other interior rooms in a virtual tour here.  The staircase and vestibule, the Mirror ("gold") Room, Garden Hall and the Imperial Hall were among my favorites.

Outside, however, we took a multitude of photos in the gardens and under the shaded walkways.   Admission is free to the gardens, but it is only 7.50 euros a person to tour the inside, so it is well worth your time and money to see both.

The Residenz was my first experience of a German palace, and as such I will always compare visits to other palaces with this one.  Below are a few photos of the interior (found on various websites, sources noted) and the exterior:

Front facade of the Residenz. Source.

The Mirror Room (aka, Gold Room). Source.

Imperial Hall. Source.

In the gardens

I LOVE this photo.

Making fun of the naked, fighting fauns.

Have you visited the Würzburg Residenz?

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