There was a feel about Würzburg that is difficult to explain.  I was enchanted by it.  This Franconian city on the River Main oozes confidence, and many of its buildings, opulence.

One example is the Würzburg Residence.  Commissioned in 1720 and completed in 1744, the residence was designed in the German baroque style by architect Balthasar Neumann.  Here is a shot of one of the front wings of the residence.

fountain and Würzburg Residence, Würzburg, Germany

The fountain itself has many stories, but I was particularly fond of this element. 

fountain, Würzburg Residence, Würzburg, Germany Many of the roofs and interiors burned as a result of an air raid near the end of World War II, but because of the existence of architectural drawings and photographs, restoration was made possible.  It took more than forty years.

Again, the exterior in all its grandeur, does not hold a candle to the interior. Unfortunately, in an effort to protect the interior paint, stucco, and gilt, no photography was allowed.  On one level, I understood, but then, to photograph the interior room of mirrors with gold borders would have been to dream.  It almost takes your breath away.  However, I settled for this detail of the Haus Zum Falken. There is definitely drama here.

Haus Zum Falken, Würzburg, Germany, rococo detail The Alte Mainbrücke or Old Main Bridge, is also called the Saints Bridge, where statues of saints stand on each side of the bridge above the piers.  This part of Germany was a Celtic territory, held at one point by the Franks, but in the late 7th century, three Irish missionaries - Killian, Totnan, and Kolomat - brought Christianity with them to Franconia.  As martyrs and saints, the three are included on the bridge.

Alte Mainbrücke or Saints Bridge, Würzburg, Germany As seems to be a trend these days, lovers have taken to locking engraved padlocks (never to removed) around the metal rods of the bridge handrails, symbolizing never-ending love for each other.  Apparently, there are so many on some of the bridges over the Seine in Paris that the weight is beginning to destabilize structural compoments.  Lovers have just started in Würzburg.

Love locks on Alte Mainbrücke, Würzburg, Germany Nothing could have been better following a day of photography and searching for a good Franconian wine in its bulbous bottle than hearing a jazz trio playing under the watchful eye of St. Totnan on the Alte Mainbrücke.  People were standing on the bridge, sipping wine and eating as the trio played, with the Marienberg Fortress in the background.

street musicians on Alte Mainbrücke, Würzburg, Germany

until next Monday,

DB

a passion for the image@