The beginning or end of a romantic journey
We were on a two-month trip around Europe and we also stopped in a Bavarian city Würzburg. An attractive city lies on one of the famous thematic paths, on a Romantic Path. It leads from the city Fussen to Ludwig’s castle Neuschwanstein at the Austrian border to Wurzburg.
The Romantic Path was created in 1950 to invite tourists in German states Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria after the war. The first visitors were American soldiers that stayed in nearby bases and their families but they were soon joined by others. Around 350 kilometres long path leads by former Roman trade routes and connects more than 20 historically important towns of south Germany that can boast with medieval architecture, art, culinary specialties and many events. Tourists can enjoy many museums, restaurants and shops with original souvenirs. It is definitely an opportunity to live the medieval Germany far away from traffic as many city centres are reserved only for pedestrians. And Würzburg was the perfect city to explore it.
Sleeping under the castle
Youth Hostel Wurzburg is a great choice for an accommodation. The first impression gives a homey feeling. A beautiful old building with mysterious yellow lights in the night was just like buildings in city centre that we visited before. We were warmly welcomed in the hostel and you can definitely forget that it used to be a woman prison. We felt great in a nice, clean room and a bathroom in the room gave us even more comfort. Different size rooms are available in this hostel in several floors (an elevator was quite useful). Some are also suitable for people on wheelchair. And in the morning there’s nothing better for a traveller than a breakfast. The choice was big and they also served coffee. The dining room was cosy and a diverse offer on the counters is convincing people to stay and chat. The food was tasty. Probably because they choose local suppliers. A bakery takes care for tasty bread. You only have to be a little bit inventive with parking at night. Because the hostel is a popular traveller stop, the parking was occupied. But it wasn’t hard to find a free parking at night time, you just have to move your vehicle till 9 am or pay the parking fee.
The hostel is also biker-friendly, there are also many biking trails going through the city. You can also go for a run as one of the most attractive running trail starts behind the hostel. You will also find old vineyards and on top of the hill, the castle Marienberg. It is worth seeing for museum and art collections or for the view on the city and vineyards. I found out that Würzburg means “Fragrant Castle” as they grew herbs on the castle hills. You can also climb to the castle at night as it gives a special charm to the castle. But you have to take your flashlight with you as the path leads through dark hallways with stairs.
Baroque Luxury
Hostel is located next to the city centre, you just walk over the bridge and everything is here. At first we saw a crossing ship in the water canal on the river Main, which is an eye catcher for the people, walking by. It was a very interesting experience, especially for those who haven’t seen this change of altitude and competing with river rapids at the same time. It was Sunday and despite evening hours, the city was lively especially on the bridge, which is the start of old city centre. Visitors are enjoying a glass of wine and street artists are only livening up the atmosphere. You can’t escape the past anywhere you look. Bishop palace Residenz from 18th century is especially attractive. It is protected by Unesco and it is one of the most beautiful baroque buildings in Europe. The best artists and builders of their time helped build this palace. The French Versailles was a pattern, it was built for quarter of a century, Maria Theresa also slept here. I was the most impressed with a stone bridge with statues of kings and saints that reminds of Karl Bridge in Prague. At the start of the bridge, you will find some wine shops where I tasted some local wine. The city and the landscape Francophonie is an important centre of viticulture. They are especially proud of their white wine Silvaner and wine Stein was the one that Goethe liked. The best wines are filled in traditional flat, pear shaped dark green bottles, named Bocksbeutel. The shape comes from the antique times and is practical as it can roll on a steep hill. One of the biggest wine cellars in Germany can be found in the city centre and it has a several hundred year tradition. More than 500000 litres of wine is stored here and some bottles are more than a century old. You can also visit this cellar and their restaurant. Wine also impacts the cuisine. You can enjoy a potato soup on a wine base. And of course sausages and other meat dishes. Vegetarians can try green spelt. It is grinded spelt that makes a good dish with some vegetables. And to finish it all, you can enjoy a traditional desert Bloatz that reminds of pie. It is made from pastry and seasonal fruit, coated with cream and eggs and baked in the oven. As it is fitting for Bavaria, beer is also popular. Biergartens are inviting you to grab a beer almost at every step. To have this name, they have to have chestnut trees on the garden, otherwise they are only pub gardens, or in German Wirtsgarten. But I don’t think any of that matter to travellers as long as the beer is good and cold.
The city with around 140000 people is also known after something else. At the end of 19th century, Wilhelm Röntgen discovered x-rays in the university laboratory, and later got a Nobel prize. You can see the laboratory and some scientist’s objects and documents in his museum. It is located in the former laboratory on the street, named after the famous physicist.
