Here we go again, time for part one of my coverage of our trip to Würzburg. Most important we spent a couple of wonderful days with two of our oldest and dearest friends. Their hospitality was outstanding and we enjoyed to be with them once more. Unfortunately little Anna refused to sleep as calmly as usual. As her larger sister a couple of years ago she seems to be sick of the portacrib.
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| Marienberg Fortress southern side (picture from Wikipedia) |
Under those wonderful conditions we undertook two trip which might matter to you. Thus first for our trip to
Marienberg Fortress which is lying above
River Main opposite to
Würzburg city. The oldest parts of the castle were built by
Konrad von Querfurt who was bishop of Würzburg during those days. Interestingly its main purpose was to protect himself against the defiant population of Würzburg who wasn't always eagerly accepting the orders and taxes the bishops imposed on them. The last reminder of the old castle that burnt down during the 16th century or was converted to more modern architecture is the keep in the middle of the fortress:
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| The old castle keep. Left hand there is the newer chappel of Marienberg Fortress. |
Thus most of the fortress is much younger. It has a very turbulent history during which it was attacked and besieged several times. For example unsuccessfully during the
German Peasant's War in 1525, successfully during the
Thirty Years' War in 1631 and once again successfully during the
Prussian Main Campaign in 1866. Simoultaneously it was residence of the bishops of Würzburg and prison during the witchcraft trials. All in all a really interesting place but its decent history would go beyond the constraints of this humble article.
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| Schönborn Gate named after the influential bishop. |
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| Echter Gate named after the other builder of the modern parts of the fortress. |
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| Princes' Building with museum, restaurant and conference centre. |