Wurzburg

Sumptuous, impressive and spectacular. It is a city of many facets now part of Bavaria, a glorious riverside setting (of course since we are on a river cruise!), rich in cultural and architectual heritage. The city had been dominated by powerful bishops, who financed numerous churches hence naming in their own honour and one in particular built their own residence/palace. Its lavish staircase and rooms, exquisite chapel almost put Varsailles to shame! The gold mirrored room, although a quarter of the size of the great hall in Versailles well challenges' the opulance.

The city of 134,000 people is mainly a university city, boasting 30,000 students. In previous towns and cities we noted the lack of young people, there seemed to be middle aged persons serving us behind the counters and elsewhere, so it was a pleasure to see a place thriving in under thirty year olds.

The oldest printing manufacturer in the world is here. It can boast making 95% of the world's paper money! Too bad they don't do guided tours and samples!

On the return we had to cross the Old Main Bridge to meet our shuttle bus. It is mainly a pedestrain and bicycle thoughfare which crosses the Main river to access the different university faculties and Marienberg Fortress to the market squares and Residence. Statues of local saints and bishops adorn the bridge.