Next on our Christmas Markets tour, we loaded up our stuff and hopped on a train from Heidelberg to the northern Bavarian city of Wurzburg. This was the 3rd place we based ourselves, and its location allowed us to explore some unique Bavarian markets. People have settled here since the Bronze Age, and the Celts and Romans maintained forts here. Wurzburg was traditionally part of Franconia and the seat Franconian lords dating back to 7th century. By the 1200’s, the city had become an important center for the Holy Roman Empire. Emperor Frederick I even held his wedding here. The city was home to an array of Baroque buildings until almost all destroyed in WWII bombing and subsequent firestorms.
Post war decades saw the reconstruction of Würzburg and many of its historic structures to their original greatness.
Christmas Markets
Overlooking the River Main in the beautiful Franconian countryside, Wurzburg’s Christmas Market takes place in the city’s historic town square. On one side is the gothic chapel of St Mary, and Wurzburg’s famous Baroque architecture adorns the remainder of the square. In the middle, you’ll find over 140 stalls selling Franconian food and drink and traditional, handmade arts and crafts from the surrounding region.
This market has a great mix of food and craft vendors, so there is something for everyone
The excellent decorations on the vendor stalls vary, and the lighting around town adds to the holiday ambiance
Products sold in holiday markets can vary a lot from town to town. Some of the unusual products we saw for sale in Wurzburg included bolts of fabric, baskets, medical and dental tools, brushes and bird houses
Most of the Gluhwein vendors have unique mugs, unlike at many holiday markets where every vendor uses the same mugs
Forty or so artisans display their wares in the festively decorated courtyard of the Town Hall on Saturdays and Sundays in Advent. The focus here is on handcrafted items that are hard to find elsewhere. There were definitely some things we would have loved to pick up, if everything didn’t have to fit into our carry-on only bags
Christmas Street Car with Saint Nick
Other Things to Do
Visit of the Residence Palace (UNESCO World Heritage Site). The former Residence of the Prince Bishops in Würzburg is the most beautiful Baroque castle in southern Germany. It was well restored after the war, and it includes a unique staircase with the largest ceiling fresco in the world, and a fantastic Imperial Hall. The grounds are also interesting, even in winter.
We also enjoyed a visit to the Marienberg Fortress. Built in the early thirteen century on grounds that once were home to an early eighth century fort, the Fortress was expanded many times during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, then restored after World War II. It’s in a beautiful spot on a hill overlooking Wurzburg and a bend in the river, and is walkable from the city center.
Restaurants we liked
Franziskaner – super friendly staff and excellent Franconian fare, plus good beer! Burger & Bier – gourmet burgers with variety of beer options Juliusspital Bakery – nice little bakery on way to train station
