Schloss (Palace)
In the southwest corner of the city, at the top of the main street (Hauptstrasse) stands the city’s palace (Schloss). The original portion in Gothic style, hidden behind this later addition, was constructed on the highest ground of the city in the mid-1400’s and was integrated into the City’s fortification. What stands before you is what Julius Echter added during his reign as Prince Bishop of Wuerzburg in the early 1600s, influenced by the Italian Renaissance.
The Palace has had a series of unlikely uses in its time. The original construction, consisting of the tower and adjacent wing facing the palace grounds was originally constructed to house the administrative offices of the Truchsess of Baldersheim. After the extinction of the hereditary line of the Truchsess of Baldersheim, the palace came to the Prince Bishop. Julius Echter wrapped two sides of the original structure with the Baroque building that now dominates the palace complex for use as a hunting lodge. Although the palace was never opulently furnished (appropriate furnishings were brought in whenever a stay required them), it functioned as a kind of celebrity guesthouse, such as when Queen Christina of Sweden passed through the area and stayed here.
Later, it reverted to administrative uses for the city. For about a decade in the 1960's-1970's, the Greiff Company found a home here, employing the locals in the manufacture of clothing. After the company moved out, the city sold the palace to the state of Bavaria which now uses the building to house foreign asylum seekers while their cases are pending.
Access to the interior of the Schloss is limited these days. At the front of the Schloss, turn right and walk through, out past the remains of the city wall and follow the road as it curves around the palace up the hill and towards the left. This corner of the Palace provides a picturesque view of the various components of the Palace, in different architectural styles. At the intersection, turn left and peer through the break in the wall to see the former palace grounds.
...next stop
Palace Grounds
In the southwest corner of the city, at the top of the main street (Hauptstrasse) stands the city’s palace (Schloss). The original portion in Gothic style, hidden behind this later addition, was constructed on the highest ground of the city in the mid-1400’s and was integrated into the City’s fortification. What stands before you is what Julius Echter added during his reign as Prince Bishop of Wuerzburg in the early 1600s, influenced by the Italian Renaissance.
The Palace has had a series of unlikely uses in its time. The original construction, consisting of the tower and adjacent wing facing the palace grounds was originally constructed to house the administrative offices of the Truchsess of Baldersheim. After the extinction of the hereditary line of the Truchsess of Baldersheim, the palace came to the Prince Bishop. Julius Echter wrapped two sides of the original structure with the Baroque building that now dominates the palace complex for use as a hunting lodge. Although the palace was never opulently furnished (appropriate furnishings were brought in whenever a stay required them), it functioned as a kind of celebrity guesthouse, such as when Queen Christina of Sweden passed through the area and stayed here.
Later, it reverted to administrative uses for the city. For about a decade in the 1960's-1970's, the Greiff Company found a home here, employing the locals in the manufacture of clothing. After the company moved out, the city sold the palace to the state of Bavaria which now uses the building to house foreign asylum seekers while their cases are pending.
Access to the interior of the Schloss is limited these days. At the front of the Schloss, turn right and walk through, out past the remains of the city wall and follow the road as it curves around the palace up the hill and towards the left. This corner of the Palace provides a picturesque view of the various components of the Palace, in different architectural styles. At the intersection, turn left and peer through the break in the wall to see the former palace grounds.
...next stop
Palace Grounds