This morning (Sunday) we loaded up the van and headed out toward our destination of Prague, with an overnight stay in Bamburg, Germany. Along the way to Bamburg, we made a quick  stop to see Marienberg Castle (Fortress) in Würzburg, Germany. This was a long distance travel day, from west to east in Germany so that our travel would be shorter tomorrow (Monday) getting into Prague. Sunday is the best day to travel the Autobahn because most trucks are not allowed on the Autobahn on Sundays. There is a huge difference in traffic.

First we filled up with gas at 1.569 Euro per Liter. 1.569 Euro is almost exactly $2.00 Dollars. (which translates to $7.57 per Gallon).

–

Also on the ‘way out of town’ we stopped to take a picture of this house with beautiful hanging flowers. This is near Jennie’s house and we had driven past it several times before stopping.

–

Entry through massive wall of Marienberg Fortress.

–

Closeup of Creepy Guy over the entry.

–

Deanne and Jennie entering the main courtyard.

–

Marienberg has thick, high walls, surrounded by steep hillsides of vineyards.

–

–

Scherenberg Gate. The original entry to the old fortress from 1482 when the main castle was encircled by a medieval ring wall. There was a drawbridge here, the inset in the wall and openings for the chains can still be seen.

–

Saint Mary’s Church (Marienkirche), built in AD 704 is the round building with the dome straight ahead. It was the original structure built on the hilltop, replacing a former Celtic shelter. Doesn’t look very fancy from the outside.

–

Inside “Marienkirche” St. Mary’s Church (the round church in previous photo). Visitors cannot actually go into the church, just step inside the entry that is blocked off with  grating and just room for two people to try taking pictures through the grating. I thought this shot came out well considering the circumstances. Absolutely Stunningly Beautiful church – from floor to ceiling. Actually breathtaking because it is so unexpected from the outside.

–

Golden “Illuminations”

–

Looking down the hill and over the town of Würzburg. Würzburg has some interesting history:
It was the site of some of the largest peacetime mass trials (witch trials) in history with between 600 and 900 “witches” burned between 1626 and 1631.
On March 16, 1945, in a WW-II air raid by 225 English Lancaster bombers, about 90% or the city was destroyed in a firestorm that killed over 5,000 civilians. Over the next 20 years the town was carefully rebuilt.
There was an American Occupation Army presense in Würzburg from April 3, 1945 until 2008.

–

Inside the main Castle Courtyard. The tower, well house, and St. Mary’s Church. The well provided water to the fortress and is over 300 feet deep!

–

Gargoyles on the building housing the castle well.

–
Looking toward the backside of the Scherenberg Gate. I like the slanted staircase window.

–

–
Another ornamented gateway arch.

–

And another.

–

On our way out, this musician was creating a wonderful experience as his voice and music reverberated through the tunnel.

–
This really is a BIG Castle. This is the parking area at the base, with the old cannon openings in the walls. We had a picnic here before heading on to Bamburg.