Marienberg Fortress

Castle and Baroque fortress about 100 metres above the Main – for almost five centuries the seat of the prince-bishops of Würzburg, today home to the Museum für Franken.

Interesting facts

The well in the well house is about 102 metres deep.
The keep is about 40 metres high and was begun around 1200.
The fortress walls total about twelve kilometres.
Swedish troops captured the fortress on 18 October 1631.

Why visit

Würzburg's landmark high above the Main
Views over the city and vineyards from the Prince's Garden
The Museum für Franken within historic walls

Marienberg Fortress stands on a hill about 100 metres above the River Main, opposite Würzburg’s old town. A first church of St Mary was built here around 706. Around 1200 a fortified castle with a keep and a deep well was built; from 1253 to 1719 it was the seat of the prince-bishops of Würzburg.

During the Peasants’ War of 1525, rebel peasants besieged the castle in vain. On 18 October 1631 Swedish troops under Gustavus Adolphus captured it. Afterwards the prince-bishops expanded it into a Baroque fortress with bastions and about twelve kilometres of walls.

The air raid of 16 March 1945 badly damaged the fortress, and reconstruction began in 1950. Surviving features include the round keep, about 40 metres high, and the well house with a well about 102 metres deep, both dating from around 1200. The Prince’s Garden at the eastern end, given its present form between 1699 and 1719, offers views over the city. Today the fortress houses the Museum für Franken, including the Fürstenbau Museum.

History

Church of St Mary around 706, castle with keep and well around 1200, seat of the prince-bishops 1253–1719, unsuccessful siege in the Peasants' War 1525, captured by the Swedes on 18 October 1631, then expanded into a Baroque fortress, badly damaged on 16 March 1945, rebuilt from 1950.

Special features

Castle and Baroque fortress with bastions and about 12 km of walls, round keep (about 40 m), well house with a well about 102 m deep, Prince's Garden with views, Museum für Franken with the Fürstenbau Museum.

Practical information

Suitable for: Visitors interested in history, families, city travellers.
Getting there: On the Marienberg on the left bank of the Main, opposite the old town. Please check the opening hours of the museums with the operators.

Details may change. Please check current information with the operator before your visit.

Map

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49.78977, 9.92111

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