World Heritage Photos

The Würzburg Residence is one of the largest and most beautiful Baroque palaces in Germany. The residence was built between 1720 and 1744 under the Prince-Bishops Johann Philipp Franz von Schönborn and Friedrich Carl von Schönborn. The court architect Balthasar Neumann was commissioned to design and supervise the construction of the Würzburg Residence. Balthasar Neumann was one of the most renowned German architects of the period; his legacy includes the Augustusburg Castle in Brühl, near Cologne, and the New Town Hall of Bamberg. The design of the Würzburg Residence is a sublime blend of Western architecture, inspired by the Imperial Baroque architecture of Vienna, the Palace of Versailles and the architecture of Northern Italy. It took many years to decorate the Würzburg Residence. The Old Master Giovanni Battista Tiepolo painted the frescoes on the walls and the ceiling of the Imperial Staircase and the Imperial Hall (Kaisersaal). The famous Imperial Staircase, known for its unsupported vaulted ceiling, features the largest ceiling fresco in the world, spanning 18 by 30 metres. While the staircase survived the Allied bombing of Würzburg during the Second World War, the Rococo Mirror Cabinet was completely destroyed. Based on a preserved mirror fragment and numerous historical photos, the Mirror Cabinet was laboriously reconstructed between 1979 and 1987. The Court Chapel is considered one of the most splendid 18th-century religious buildings in Germany. The Würzburg Residence is surrounded by gardens, which are true masterpieces of garden design decorated with numerous ornamental vases and statues, most notably of Chinese and Moorish children. The Würzburg Residence, along with the Court Gardens and the Residence Square, gained status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981.

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1. 

   The Frankonia Fountain on the Cour d'Honneur (the Residence Square) in front of the Würzburg Residence. The fountain was created in 1894 in honour of Prince Regent Luitpold of Bavaria and is adorned with several statues of historic figures. The residence and the town of Würzburg are separated from each other by this enormous Residence Square. The Würzburg Residence, along with the Court Gardens and Residence Square, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981.

2. 

   This is a view of the Imperial Hall from the East Garden of the Würzburg Residence. The palace was built under Prince-Bishops Johann Philipp Franz von Schönborn and his brother Friedrich Carl von Schönborn. The principal architect of the residence was Balthasar Neumann, who also supervised the entire construction of the building. While the exterior was built between 1720 and 1744, it took almost forty years to complete the interior of the residence.

3. 

   The design of the Würzburg Residence is a sublime blend of Western architecture of that time; drawing inspiration from the Baroque architecture of Vienna and the Palace of Versailles in France, and Northern Italian styles. A major highlight of the Würzburg Residence is the Imperial Staircase. The Venetian artist Giovanni Battista Tiepolo painted the frescoes on the walls and the ceiling of the Imperial Staircase, as well as those in the Kaisersaal (the Imperial Hall).

4. 

   The South Garden of the Würzburg Residence is characterized by a number of imposing yews. The Court Gardens were laid out between 1765 and 1780. Several rare species of flowers and plants grow in the garden. The flower beds are surrounded by low boxwood hedges and Taxus baccata pruned into conical shapes. These colourful flower beds frame the South Garden. Many parts of these Court Gardens have been restored to their original designs.

5. 

   Würzburg Residence: In front of the impressive east façade is a terraced garden decorated with several putti, small statues of chubby infants. The Court Gardens of the Würzburg Residence are adorned with fountains, statues of putti, garden vases and two sculpture groups. The Würzburg Residence with the Court Gardens and the Residence Square was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1981.

6. 

   Würzburg Residence: A view across the East Garden from the terraced garden. Covering an area of slightly more than three times that of the residence itself, the Court Gardens were designed in the Baroque style. The gardens comprise three smaller sections: the East Garden, the South Garden and a potager. The grounds are adorned with statues, pergola walks, fountains, potted plants, fruit trees and evergreens clipped into formal shapes.

7. 

   Würzburg Residence and Court Gardens: One of the most noteworthy features of the residence is the Imperial Staircase. A huge fresco covers the entire ceiling above the Imperial Staircase. This amazing fresco was painted by the Venetian artist Giovanni Battista Tiepolo in 1753; it is the largest single fresco ever created. Giovanni Tiepolo also decorated the Imperial Hall (Kaisersaal). The White Hall (Weißer Saal) served as the audience chamber; it was adorned with stuccowork by Antonio Bossi.

8. 

   Würzburg Residence: The East Garden, with the cupola of the Imperial Hall in the background. During the Second World War, the residence was heavily damaged by an Allied air raid in March 1945, but the Imperial Staircase and several other rooms were spared. Following the war, the restoration started immediately and lasted more than forty years; it was completed in 1987. The Würzburg Residence, with the Court Gardens and Residence Square, gained status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981.

9. 

   Würzburg Residence: A monumental staircase leading up to a one of the terraces in the East Garden. The Mirror Cabinet is one of the most noteworthy rooms of this residence; its walls are entirely covered with mirrors, framed in luxurious gold leaf. The cabinet was totally devastated by an air raid during the Second World War. Based on one single preserved mirror fragment and numerous historical photos, this Rococo cabinet was reconstructed between 1979 and 1987 and was laboriously restored to its former glory.

10. 

    Würzburg Residence: The orangery with the kitchen garden in front. At the beginning of the 19th century, a kitchen garden was laid out in the Court Gardens of the residence. Its original design remained almost unchanged until the 1960s. The reconstruction of this formal kitchen garden (potager) was carried out between 1998 and 2001; the new fruit trees are cultivated according to traditional pruning and training methods; they feature espaliers and pyramid forms.

11. 

    Würzburg Residence: The Eye of Providence above the entrance to the Court Chapel. The small Court Chapel (the Hofkirche) is lavishly adorned with marble sculptures, frescoes, stuccowork and gold leaf. The chapel was also designed by Balthasar Neumann and decorated by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo. The Court Chapel is considered one of the most perfect 18th-century religious buildings in Germany and is one of the true highlights of the Würzburg Residence. 

12. 

    Würzburg Residence: The sculpted coat of arms of the Prince-Bishops von Schönborn above the main entrance. The huge residence is one of the most important Baroque palaces in Europe, with over 300 state rooms embellished by the most celebrated artists of the period. The interior is adorned with impressive frescoes, tapestries and extravagant furniture. The Flemish sculptor Jacob van der Auwera played an important role in the decoration. Access to the state rooms is by guided tour only. Photography is not permitted inside the Würzburg Residence.

13. 

    Würzburg Residence: The Court Gardens can be entered through wrought-iron gates situated on the east side of the Cour d'Honneur, the grand square in front of the Würzburg Residence. The wrought-iron gates were made by the Austrian artist Johann Georg Oegg. This impressive square itsef measures 200 metres by 100 metres. Situated at the edge of the fortified town walls of Würzburg, the gardens were laid out on three terraces, the highest of which meets the walls.