Top Rated Attractions in Würzburg

Completed in 1744, the Würzburg Residence is a stunning palace in Baroque style. The grand staircase, chapel and salon are particularly impressive. There are also beautiful frescoes, painted by the Venetian artist Giovanni Battista Tiepolo. Even Napoleon Bonaparte was struck with the palace's beauty, staying there three different times between 1806 and 1813. The Würzburg Residence was severely damaged by an airstrike during World War II. However, it has been diligently restored, and now enjoys a spot on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Festung Marienberg, situated on the banks of the Main river, dates back to the early 13th Century. One of the most beautiful examples of the Baroque style of architecture, this fortress is a premier attraction in the city of Wurzburg. The castle atop the fortress has served as the residence of both bishops and royalty throughout the centuries. The fortress, which sits amidst serene vineyards, was seized during the Napoleonic Wars and World War II. Festung Marienberg houses the Mainfränkisches Museum, which features a delightful collection of sculptures and pieces of Franconian art. Visitors to the fortress can also explore the Princes' Building Museum, which houses elegant furniture, paintings, the Princes' Hall, which is an esteemed concert venue and the tranquil Princes' Garden.

The Neumünster Collegiate church is a 12th-Century structure that is hard to miss when you are strolling on the street. The church accents the Renaissance style of architecture and the interiors are adorned with breathtaking paintings that cover its ceilings as well as the walls. The exquisite and prestigious works of arts housed inside the Neumünsterkirche makes it an important place of worship in the city. Neumünsterkirche is worth a visit, for its unique architecture that will leave an impression on you forever.

Marienkapelle or the St Mary's Chapel is located at the Marktplatz and is one of the most striking structures of the city. The chapel which boats of Late Gothic architecture is worth a visit because of its detailed ornamentation. Its Southern entrance is marked with the figures of Adman and Eve, these were sculpted by Tilman Riemenschneider as early as the 14th Century. The chapel is also the resting place of many Franconian knights and Bathasar Neumann; the famous Baroque architect. If you wish to appreciate the phenomenal Bavarian architecture, a visit to Marienkapelle is a must.

Said to be the first stone bridge to be built in Germany, this iconic 12th Century pedestrian bridge is a beautiful landmark of the city. The bridge was heavily damaged during the Second World War but was fully restored in the years after the war. Natural stones were used to build this arched bridge. Detailed carved statues of many religious, as well as royal figures, stand on this bridge. The bridge has twelve sculptures of saints including one of Pippin, the canonized father of Charles and also the founder of the Carolingian dynasty.

The history of the magnificent Würzburg Cathedral dates back to 1040, where the present structure was built by Bishop Bruno of Würzburg and till today, serves as the seat of the Bishop of Würzburg. A masterpiece of German architecture, the cathedral is dedicated to Saint Kilian and standing 105 meters (344 feet) tall, is one of the highest church buildings in the country. The Romanesque structure of the cathedral boasts of various work of structural art, such as tombs and epitaphs, crypts bejeweled with stained glass, Schönborn Chapel and seven-armed candelabra; each of it made by artists belonging to a different era. It hosts choirs as well as musicals and attracts a horde of tourists as well as locals from far and wide. Tours of the church are available.