|
Würzburg Museums
 The Main-Franconian Museum with the world's most extensive collection of works by Riemenschneider and the Fürstenbau municipal history museum are located in the Marienberg Citadel and together with the Residenz Palace are the real highlights of the town. Many other museums and galleries in the town offer permanent and special exhibitions.
Main-Franconian Museum
The Main-Franconian Museum is located in Marienberg Citadel, just outside Würzburg. Opened in 1947, its collection of Franconian art and cultural artefacts is presented in beautifully decorated exhibition rooms. Of particular renown is the Riemenschneider Hall. It houses the world's largest gallery of work by Tilman Riemenschneider, probably the best known sculptor of the late Gothic period. The museum is also proud to display a vibrant collection that spans the baroque and rococo periods. Artefacts include Würzburg-made porcelain, antique glasses, faience earthenware, furniture and figures sculpted by Ferdinand Tietz for Veitshöchheim palace gardens. Also on show are sketches and plans by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo and Balthasar Neumann. And the museum displays a selection of Würzburg "lying stones", the subject of a famous scientific hoax in the 18th century. Closed on Mondays.
Fürstenbau Museum
The Fürstenbau Museum uses 16 exhibition rooms to tell the story of Würzburg from the 8th to the 20th century. Its superb view over the town gives visitors the chance to see just how much Würzburg has changed over the centuries. The first floor is taken up by the Bibra residence with its exquisite furniture, tapestries and paintings; the Prince's Hall with its early Gothic wall arcades and huge tapestry of the Echter family; and the Episcopal treasury and parament chamber. Open April to the end of October. Closed Mondays and 24, 25 and 31 December, and 1 January.
Martin von Wagner Museum
The Martin von Wagner Museum is one of Europe's largest university museums. Opened in 1963 in the southern wing of the Residenz Palace, it houses the collections owned by the University of Würzburg. The Antiquity Collection displays works of art from the Mediterranean region, spanning the period from the 3rd millennium BC to the late antiquity era. Of particular historical importance are the 5,000 vases from Ancient Greece. The Picture Gallery showcases German, Dutch and Italian paintings from the 15th to the 20th century, including pictures by Schäufelein, Spranger, Claesz, Giordana, Tiepolo, Overbeck, Rottmann, Lenbach, Liebermann and Purrmann. There are also a number of sculptures on display. The Graphic and Print Collection comprises 11,000 drawings and 14,000 prints, among them etchings and wood carvings by Dürer, and drawings by Barocci and the Tiepolo family of Venetian artists. Closed on Mondays.
Würzburg Residenz Palace
Würzburg Residenz Palace is considered the most accomplished and remarkable of all baroque palaces. Centred around a spectacular baroque residence of enormous proportions, it is a synthesis of nature, architecture, painting and stucco ornamentation. Built between 1740 and 1770, it is one of the most spectacular royal palaces in Europe. The magnificent gardens were laid out between 1765 and 1780. Although a large number of artists were involved in its design, Würzburg Residenz Palace is essentially the creation of three men – prince-bishop Philipp Franz of Schönborn, renowned architect Balthasar Neumann and the Venetian painter Giovanni Battista Tiepolo. Other well-known highlights are the staircase and ceiling paintings as well as the imperial hall with its frescos and wall paintings. The mirrored hall meanwhile, is one of the finest room installations of the rococo period. Open daily. Guided tours available.
|
