Wurzburg, Romantic Road

Germany’s most scenic route begins on the River Main and ends in the foothills of the Alps. Winding its way through medieval villages and Bavarian towns, the route, endearingly called “Romantic Road”, evokes images of castles, half-timbered homes, cobblestoned alleys, warm and hearty culinary delights, art, culture, and a long history.

Travelling through 29 towns, the journey begins in Würzburg. With a population of 130,000, the city spans the banks of the River Main and showcases lavish baroque and rococo architecture. The highlight of the city is the majestic Residenz Palace. Built between 1720 and 1744 and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981, this Baroque-style palace was the home of Prince-Bishop Philipp Franz von Schönborn. Inside the palace is a grand and elegant staircase featuring an expansive 18th-century ceiling fresco depicting the four known continents of the time: Europe, Asia, Africa and America. Measuring 59 x 98ft (18 x 30m), the fresco is one of the largest in the world.

Up on a hill dominating the city is the 13th-century Marienberg Fortress. First settled in the late Bronze Age, the fortress served as a home for the prince-bishops for nearly 500 years. The fortress saw action in many wars during the 18th and 19th centuries, and by the 1900s, it was abandoned and fell into disrepair. In 1945, it was heavily destroyed by fire due to British bombing. Reconstruction began in the 1950s and was completed in the 1990s. Today it holds two museums, St Mary’s Church (Marienkirche) dating from 706AD, a 328ft (100m) deep cistern and a 130ft (40m) high keep.

Below the fortress is the Old Bridge across the River Main. Built between 1473 and 1543 AD, the bridge replaced an earlier Romanesque bridge from the 12th century. During the 18th century, 12 statues of prominent figures were added to the bridge, including one of Charlemagne, credited with uniting Western and Central Europe during the Early Middle Ages. The stone statues stand 15ft (4.5m) high on a stone base.