Wurzburg

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 Whatever is going around on board this boat is a little hard to kick.  The theory that in 2 days everything is fine is "Bull....".  I am feeling somewhat better but still struggling and now the bus has run over Sue!

However, Sue decided to go on our planned excursion into Wurzburg anyway.  After a short bus ride we met our Portuguese Guide.  He is a student here in Wurzburg at the local university.  More about that...because he comes from another EU country, he is able to study anywhere in Germany for 250 Euros a year.  He does not speak German but can take his courses in English.  His degree will only cost him 750 Euros.  How crazy is that?  It really makes you wonder about the damage that Great Britain has done to their younger generation with Brexit.

We toured the Wurzburg Residenz.  This place was the official residence of the region's prince - bishops.  Say what you want these guys were royalty and certainly acted as such.  The building is on a scale that is hard to imagine.  It is only slightly smaller than Schonberg Castle in Vienna.  The 'opulence' (there is that word again) on display is ridiculous.  But it is something to see.  Room after room filled with stunning furniture pieces, tapestries, and paintings could be viewed.  From my perspective it also has a ceiling fresco that is absolutely stunning.

During the Spring of 1945 Wurzburg was devastated by allied bombing.  250 Lancaster Bombers dropped 1000's of bombs on the city in just 17 minutes.  Virtually the whole city was destroyed.  The Wurzburg Residenz lost 2 of its wings.  Most of the artwork and furniture had been removed so was not lost.  The Residenz has been completely restored to it's former glory.  It took 42 years.  It remained unsaid as to what the cost must have been.  I can only imagine.  It is amazing how Germany as a country went from absolute defeat and so many of their cities destroyed to becoming the leading economic power within Europe after reunification.

We have returned to our boat to take it easy for the afternoon.  Sue is trying to sleep and I just cracked one of the 'smoky' beers.  First impression...different...not totally offensive...but I reserve judgment!

Wurzburg Residenz - the best picture we could get it is so big.

Fresco at Wurzburg Residenz

Another piece of the fresco

Another piece

Another piece - The Fresco is over 6000 sq ft.

Not your average writing desk - Wurzburg Residenz

Not bad workmanship!

Some of the gardens.

Wurzburg's Irish connection - St. Kilian introduced Christianity to the area.  

Marian Kapelle Church - The church tower survived the Allied bombing, the church did not.  The Allied bombers used this as their landmark as to where to bomb.  It was the highest point in the city!

Castle above the Main River - Those are grapes growing on the ridiculously steep slope - this is a major wine growing area specializing on white wine.

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