Photos

Marienkapelle and Haus zum Falken at the Marktplatz:

Marienkapelle is one of the most important Gothic buildings in Bavaria. It was built on the ground of a wooden Jewish synagogue which was burn down in a pogrom in 1349 against the Jews. Marienkapelle, built in 1377, was funded by the wealthy merchants and citizenry of Wurzburg. It symbolized the protest & growing power of the wealthy merchants against their ecclesiastical masters, namely the Prince who was also the Bishop of Wurzburg. The chapel contains several artistic works of Tilman Riemenschneider and the tomb of the great baroque architect Balthasar Neumann.

Next to the Marienkapelle is the uniquely beautiful Rococo façade of the Falkenhaus (Haus zum Falken) which a wealthy burgher had carried out in 1751. The house is now a Tourist Office, Office of the Department of Culture, and the city library.

As you can see in the photo the market square is still an active market. On the square, flowers, fruits, and cheese for example are sold at numerous stalls. Actually more stalls to the left the chapel but hidden from view by the yellow building on the left. The market square is a lively area. I enjoy sipping coffee while people watching there.

Wurzburg was founded by the Celts at about 650 B.C. It is the northernmost town on the Romantic Road, a trade route during the middle ages, still retaining much of its medieval character. Würzburg is the center of Germany's Franken wine growing region. In addition to excellent white wine and restaurants, Würzburg offers the visitor a continual array of historic art and architecture spanning the Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo periods. Its famous citizens include master sculpture and wood craver Tilman Riemenschneider (1460-1531) who's exquisite alters are found in several churches along the Romantic Road. Another citizen, master architect Balthasar Neumann (1687-1753) designed the Residenz Palace for Würzburg's Prince-Bishops. Today the palace is part of the UNESCO World Heritage. Würzburg's two major attractions are the Marienberg Fortress and the Residenz as well as outdoor cafes, romantic courtyard restaurants, and lovely gardens.