Würzburg Residence

The Würzburg Residence is the grand Baroque palace of the former prince-bishops of Würzburg and one of the finest palaces in Europe. Together with its Court Garden and Residence Square, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981. Visitors come above all for Balthasar Neumann's soaring staircase and the vast ceiling fresco painted by the Venetian master Tiepolo. If you are exploring Franconia or traveling the Romantic Road, this palace belongs at the top of your list.

Where it is and how to get there

Würzburg lies on the Main River in northern Bavaria, at the northern end of the Romantic Road. The city is a major rail hub: ICE trains reach it in roughly one hour from Frankfurt and about two hours from Munich, which makes the Residence an easy day trip from Frankfurt or Nuremberg. Frankfurt Airport is the closest major international gateway.

From Würzburg Hauptbahnhof, the palace is about a 20-minute walk. You can also take tram lines 1, 3, or 5 to "Dom," or bus 9 from Juliuspromenade to "Residenz." Drivers can follow signs from the A3 or A7 autobahn to the "Parkplatz Residenz" lot directly on the palace square.

A short history

Construction began in 1720 under Prince-Bishop Johann Philipp Franz von Schönborn, with the young architect Balthasar Neumann in charge. The shell was finished by 1744, and decorating the interiors took until 1780. On March 16, 1945, an Allied air raid devastated Würzburg. The side wings burned out, but Neumann's vaults over the main halls held. Restoration was completed in 1987. Today the palace has more than 300 rooms, around 40 of which are open to visitors.

Things to see inside

• The Grand Staircase: A vast vault spans the hall without any supporting columns. Above it, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo painted a fresco of about 580 square meters (6,200 sq ft) in 1752–1753, often described as the largest continuous ceiling fresco in the world. It depicts the four continents known at the time paying tribute to the prince-bishop.
• Imperial Hall: The palace's festive centerpiece, dazzling with marble, gold leaf, and more Tiepolo frescoes.
• Mirror Cabinet: Destroyed by fire in 1945 and painstakingly re-created over eight years starting in 1979.
• Court Church: A jewel-box chapel completed in 1743, free to enter outside services.
• Court Garden: Terraces, fountains, rose beds, and clipped fruit trees, also free of charge.

Tickets, tours, and opening hours

As of October 2026, admission is €10 for adults and €9 reduced; visitors under 18 get in free. Buying online lets you skip the ticket line. A short guided tour of about 30 minutes is included with your ticket, and English-language tours run daily at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. There is no audio guide, but you can also wander all rooms at your own pace.

The palace is open daily 9 a.m.–6 p.m. from April through October (last entry 5:15 p.m.) and 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. from November through March (last entry 4 p.m.). It closes only on January 1, Shrove Tuesday, and December 24, 25, and 31. Private photography without flash or tripod is allowed, except during guided tours.

The building is largely accessible, with a ramp to the ticket desk, an elevator serving all main areas, and three disabled parking spaces in front. The on-site restaurant is currently closed, so plan to eat in the old town nearby.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes. Plan two to three hours for the state rooms, the Court Church, and the garden. Combine your visit with a walk across the Old Main Bridge and a glass of Franconian wine for a perfect day in Würzburg.