There are many special features to discover in Würzburg's old town, surrounded by the harmonious Ringpark and criss-crossed by historic buildings and squares. The Old Main Bridge, the imposing St. Kilian's Cathedral and the Gothic St. Mary's Chapel are absolutely worth seeing. The old town is also home to a lively pedestrian zone with numerous stores that invite you to take a leisurely stroll. Festivals and events take place here regularly, offering a varied program and enlivening the historic flair of the city. A must-see for anyone traveling to Würzburg is the Würzburg Residence - one of the most important palaces in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981. After the destruction of the Second World War, the Residenz was restored in great detail, as were many of the churches in the old town. The Residenz is home to an impressive court church and the Würzburg State Gallery, which exhibits cultural treasures from the region. The magnificent Hofgarten and Residenzplatz invite you to linger.
Another landmark of the city is the Marienberg Fortress, which rises on the Marienberg, a hill made of shell limestone. The origins of the fortress lie in the Marienkirche church, which was consecrated in 706. From the banks of the Main, there is a wonderful view of the fortress surrounded by vines, which offers an unforgettable sight, especially in spring with its blossoming cherry trees and the baroque statues of saints on the Old Main Bridge. For all those who want to experience the fortress up close, there is a guided tour every Sunday morning lasting around an hour and a half, which provides exciting insights into the history of the complex. The live cams from Würzburg give you direct views of the Marienfestung, including the magnificent view of the Main and the Old Main Bridge. You can also see the current backdrop of the sights that make the city so unique.
Würzburg's impressive sacred buildings include St. Kilian's Cathedral, the fourth largest Romanesque church in Germany, with the adjoining Schönborn Chapel, which served as the burial place for the prince-bishops and is a masterpiece by Balthasar Neumann. Other places worth seeing are the Käppele pilgrimage church on the Nikolausberg, the Marienkapelle chapel on the lower market square and the Neumünster collegiate church with the Lusamgärtlein garden in the heart of the old town. The Grafeneckart, the oldest part of the town hall with the four-tube fountain in front of it, and the magnificent Falkenhaus are also historically significant. For an excursion in the area, it is worth making a detour to Veitshöchheim Palace or to other sights around Würzburg that are just waiting to be marveled at.