This post was added to the blog by my sister Suzy, while in Germany with my mom!
Today was our second full day in Wurzburg. Karl-Heinz once again devoted his whole day to showing us around the city. He picked us up at the hotel and we headed on a brief walking tour to see some sights near the Market Square.
Today was our second full day in Wurzburg. Karl-Heinz once again devoted his whole day to showing us around the city. He picked us up at the hotel and we headed on a brief walking tour to see some sights near the Market Square.
The first place we went inside was the city cathedral aka the Dom. The city is essentially built around this church. The cathedral is huge and is used for big events, like a recent church choir performance by choirs all over Germany. Inside was amazing, full of detailed work and very beautiful. There was an enormous organ in the back that caught our eye as well.
Next, we walked around the corner to the Neumunster Church. This church was very unique in that there was a mixture of old style architecture as well as new modern art and detailing. Outside of the church is a special place called the Lusam Garden. There it is said that a Franconian apostle is buried. It was this tiny peaceful garden that you would never know even existed. Here in the garden the architecture of the cloister wing still stands. When we left the garden we walked a few streets away to hear the Wurzburg Glockenspiel. Four times each day the bells play a couple songs lasting less than 10 minutes, it was cute!
Our meeting with the Deputy Mayor was next. We went to the city hall to meet with her. Inside I got distracted by all the women I saw waiting to be married. KH told us that in Germany you must be married in a city hall first by the government before you get married in a church! Who knew?! Anyway, we had a great meeting with the Mayor. She's visited Rochester before and has a daughter living in Michigan. It was good for mom to continue building the relationship between our two sister cities.
On our way back towards Market Square we did some window shopping and went into a local bookstore. We stopped inside Mary's Chapel or Marienkapelle. There was a lot of red and yellow sandstone inside this beautiful gothic church. Finally it was time for lunch...Bratwurst!!! KH took us to this little stand in the middle of the square to get real German Bratwurst. A long sausage cut in half to fit on a delicious round role and covered with yellow mustard. It was so good, moms favorite meal of the city!
After we went back to the hotel for a short break KH and Birget picked us up and we drove to see Fortress Marienberg! Perhaps my favorite sight in the city. I took tons of pictures for one special friend of mine :) Before The Residence was constructed this was the home of the Prince Bishops. The fortress was ancient, huge, rambling and built to withstand any kind of assault. It was only breached once by the Sweeds. Some cool aspects of this historic landmark were the over 800 year old well, an even older church, a keep or watch tower/dungeon and a bathing area that was apparently for horses and livestock. Inside the walls were beautiful gardens that you can't see from the outside. When we walked to the edge of the fortress we could see the whole city in front of us. Right down below where we were standing were thousands of grape vines growing in perfect rows up and down the hill. It was amazing!
We went back to KHs house for tea and a business meeting. Our day ended with dinner at a bier garten with KH and Birget, exchange student Brianna from Rochester and her host family.
We loved Wurzburg!!! Off to Rennes tomorrow!
Suzy
Suzy
Suz and Mom in Wurzburg!
