Located in central Germany, the symbol of Würzburg, the Würzburg Residence (Residenz), including its gardens, is registered as a World Heritage Site and is a popular spot for tourists.
This time, we will introduce this World Heritage Site packed with highlights: the Würzburg Residence, an outstanding example of Baroque architecture in Europe built with magnificent splendor, the Hof Garden, loved as a place of relaxation for citizens, and the glittering interior of the Hof Church!
Würzburg Residence, its Gardens and Square
The Würzburg Residence, its gardens, and square in Würzburg were built in the early 18th century. Known as the pinnacle of German Baroque architecture, the Würzburg Residence, which is the palace, and the Hof Garden, which is its garden, were registered as a World Heritage Site in 1981. You can catch a glimpse of the era when Würzburg served as a religious and political center as a prince-bishopric.
You can tour the Würzburg Residence, which features more than 300 luxurious rooms and the world’s largest fresco, as well as the beautiful Hof Garden, which boasts a site area approximately three times larger than that of the Residence.
Balthasar Neumann, the architect who designed the Würzburg Residence, is so famous that he was even depicted on the old 50 Deutsche Mark note. This palace, his masterpiece, was praised by Napoleon as “the most beautiful residence in Europe”!
Additionally, this World Heritage palace and its gardens host the world-renowned Mozart Festival every year.
Name: Würzburg Residence, its Gardens and Square
Address: Residenzplatz 2, 97070 Würzburg, Deutschland
Official/Related Website URL: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/169/
Access to Würzburg Residence, its Gardens and Square
The nearest station to the World Heritage Würzburg Residence, its gardens, and square is Würzburg Central Station of Deutsche Bahn. It is about a 15-minute walk from the station.
Moreover, Würzburg Central Station is served by the ICE, making access from various directions convenient. From Frankfurt Central Station to Würzburg Central Station, it takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes by ICE. From Frankfurt Airport Station, it takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes by ICE.
Three Recommended Highlights of Würzburg Residence, its Gardens and Square
① The Luxurious Würzburg Residence
The greatest charm of Würzburg Residence, its gardens, and square is the lavish Würzburg Residence itself. The palace is U-shaped, with a central wing about 167 meters long and 21 meters high, flanked by two wings about 92 meters long. Just gazing at the exterior is enough to overwhelm you with its scale.
The highlight of this World Heritage Site is not just its exterior but also its opulent interior. Entering the building, you start at the “Entrance Hall” with its high ceiling, once accessible to carriages. Then, there is the “Staircase Hall” with the world’s largest fresco and no supporting columns, and the “Green Room,” with a floor covered entirely in mosaics and walls decorated in green—each hall has its own charm.
You can get a sense of how lavishly the prince-bishops lived at that time, so take your time observing the decorations and artworks in each hall to fully experience the luxurious lifestyle of the era.
② The Hof Garden
The Hof Garden, which boasts a site area about three times that of the Würzburg Residence, features beautiful natural landscapes and numerous sculptures placed throughout. One highlight is the garden on the east side of the Residence. From spring to summer, roses bloom magnificently across the area, and the park section with its geometric patterns is popular with both tourists and locals.
The stair railings are lined with angel sculptures—be sure to take a look. If you observe closely, you’ll see that each angel sculpture strikes a different pose.
Another highlight of the Hof Garden is the “Court of Honor” with the fountain of the goddess Franconia. Don’t miss the statues of the three artists at her feet!
③ The Hof Church
The Hof Church is an attached church on the south side of the Würzburg Residence, with interior decorations as magnificent as the palace itself. Be amazed by the gold-adorned columns, angel decorations on the ceiling, and the beautifully grand mosaics.
There are altarpieces on both sides of the church. These works are by Tiepolo, the artist who painted the world’s largest ceiling fresco in the “Staircase Hall” of the Würzburg Residence.
For the best experience, it is recommended to first admire the ceiling fresco in the “Staircase Hall” of the Würzburg Residence, and then visit the Hof Church to view the altarpieces. Be sure to compare the two artworks.
◎ Summary
This was an introduction to the World Heritage Site that is the symbol of Würzburg. The Würzburg Residence, where you can physically sense the luxurious life of the past, the Hof Garden, visited not only by tourists but also many locals as a place of relaxation, and the splendid Hof Church—all have their own unique charms.
When visiting Germany, why not take a trip to the Würzburg Residence, its gardens, and square?