Balthasar Neumann was a legendary German architect who left objects of incredible beauty to the world, including the Würzburg Residence. The building was the brightest example of the South American branch of the Baroque. The residence is compared to the Petrodvorets in St. Petersburg, Schoenbrunn in Austria, and Versailles in France. For a long time the building was the residence of the elected bishops of Würzburg, each of whom made changes to the palace or its interior. The complex has come down to us with a unique, unparalleled architectural monument, for the contemplation of which people make a long journey, coming from all over the world.
Integrated construction
In 1704, Bishop John Franz Philipp von Schönborn decided to rebuild his small palace to make it larger and look more luxurious. Everything turned out well: in 1719, the bishop won a many-year court case and a large sum of money, enough to build a magnificent palace.
The bishop miscalculated his powers and collapsed on a palace of such magnitude that it took 60 years to build. The best German architects were involved, chief among them the legendary Balthasar Neumann. Just five years after construction began, the man who "made the mess" - Bishop John Franz Philip - died. Construction was completed under a relative of the founder, Archbishop Friedrich von Schönborn.
Residence Furnishings
The Würzburg Residence has a total of four hundred rooms. The interior decoration was carried out in three stages:
- The first in the Rococo style were the Small Study, the White Hall, and the Imperial Hall.
- The second phase began during the reign of Carl Philipp von Graffenclau. During this period there was a large-scale action - the ceiling of the palace was painted, on which the best painters and icon painters worked.
- The last stage - the finishing of the remaining rooms - took 11 years. In 1780, the construction and interior works came to an end.
Tourist Note
They are still in excellent condition:
- Frescoes by Giovanni Tiepolo and Domenico
- The largest fresco in the world, dedicated to the four cardinal points
- The Emperor's Marble Room
- A small sketch with Asian paintings
- A white room with exquisite moldings by Antonio Bossi
- The Court of Honor, welcoming visitors.
- The Franconian fountain from 1894.
Interesting Facts
- In 1981, UNESCO included the building in the list of world heritage.
- In 1806 and 1813, Napoleon I and his wife Marie-Louise of Austria stayed there.
- The Franconian fountain was built by Prince Luitpold, who was born here in 1821.
- Würzburg, which was bombed in 1945, was significantly damaged, including the residence. Some of the halls were irrevocably destroyed.
- The reconstruction lasted more than 40 years: from 1960 to 2006.
