A Day in Wurzburg

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On Monday, July 11th, Kate had to go to the army hospital in Wurzburg for a meeting. Since it was only going to be a couple hours I decided to tag along and bring my camera. I'm sure glad I did. Although we had been to Wurzburg a few times before it was only going to and from the hospital. This was an opportunity to spend a little time in the town.

Some historical stuff: Wurzburg has been populated for a long, long time as an easy-to-ford part of the Main river under an easy-to-defend hill. Around 686 A.D. three monks came here to Christianize the locals and as a result of their efforts they were beheaded. Since their relics were kept in Wurzburg it became a pilgrimage tourist stop. During World War II, a bombing raid on 16 March 1945 lasted 20 minutes and destroyed over 80% of the buildings. The town has rose from its ashes and once again is rich in heritage of historic sights.

Wurzburg has an interesting history in the birth of a famous saying. The hillsides around Wurzburg are blanketed with grapevines. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the German Shakespeare was a big connoisseur of the local vintage ordering 900 liters annually. A friend once asked him what Goethe thought were the three most important things in life. He said, “Wine, women, and song.” When asked if he had to give up one, which one would it be? Goethe answered “Song.” Then, when asked what he would choose if he had to give up the second, Goethe paused and finally said, “It depends on the vintage.”

Once you cross the Alte Mainbruke bridge and you look back toward the other side you get a magnificent view of the Marienberg Fortress (Festung Marienberg), which was the original residence of the Wurzburg’s Prince Bishops who ran the government until 1814 and then were given the boot, and Franconia was secularized. The fortress is now the home of two museums.

Also across the river from Wurzburg there is a very interesting church called the "Kappele". It was built in 1750 and commands an excellent view of the city. I've included a couple different shots to show some of its exquisite beauty.

Back into Wurzburg proper, as you come across the bridge you come across the Marienkapelle. This two-tone church was not bankrolled by Rome and so it is ringed with "swallow shops" (like swallow nests cuddled up against a house) - enabling the church to run little businesses on the side.

Adjacent to Marienkapelle is the Markplatz, a daily market carrying everything from fresh fruits and vegetables, household items, clothes, and some great outdoor restaurants.

I enjoy watching people whether it is a couple sharing fruit, a little girl with a doll, or some kids playing in a fountain. There is just something that makes that particular moment special.

I hope you enjoyed my day in Wurzburg! Until next time, Auf Wiedersehen!

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Photos

Alte Mainbruke
This beautiful bridge, built between 1473-1543, it is the oldest bridge across the Main. It is similar in designed to the bridge in Prague in that the both have a number of stone statutes of saints lining the bridge.

Vineyards surround Wurzburg
The statute of St. John Nepomucene is also found on the main bridge in Prague, Czech Republic

Marktplatz (Market Place)
With Mariaenkapelle and the House of the Falcon (yellow & white) in the background

Marktplatz
The daily market where you can get everything from soup to nuts & bolts.

Wurzburg
I find this an interesting photo, on one hand you have a beautiful woman with sword and staff atop a fountain built in 1814 and on the other you have a beautiful woman on a billboard with a lot less clothes with her back to the statute looking back smiling.

Comments

[l.muniz]

i want to see a picture of the army hospital
can you please show me a picture of the army hospital because i was born there in 1978 i would love to see a picture of it couls you please send it to my e-mail at [e-mail] i would really like that.//