Würzburg

:For the German World War II radar system of the same name see Wuerzburg radar.

History

By 1000 BC a Celtic fortification stood on the site of the Fortress Marienberg. It was christianized in 686 by the Irish missionary Kilian, and the first diocese was founded by St. Bonifatius in 742. He appointed the first bishop of Würzburg, St. Burkhard.

Related Topics:
1000 BC - Celtic - Fortress Marienberg - Christianized - 686 - Kilian - Diocese - 742 - Bishop

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The first church at the site of the cathedral was built in 788, and consecrated that same year by Charlemagne; the current building was constructed 1040-1225 in romanesque style. The University of Würzburg was founded in 1402 and re-founded 1582.

Related Topics:
Church - Cathedral - 788 - Charlemagne - 1040 - 1225 - Romanesque - University of Würzburg - 1402 - 1582

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Würzburg was a center of the German Peasants' War; the castle was besieged unsuccessfully. Notable duke bishops include Julius Echter and members of the Schönborn family. In 1631, Swedish King Gustavus Adolphus invaded the town and destroyed the castle.

Related Topics:
Peasants' War - Julius Echter - Schönborn - 1631 - Gustavus Adolphus

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In 1720, foundations of the Würzburg Residence were laid. In 1814, the town became part of the Bavarian state. During World War II, on March 16, 1945, 90% of the city was laid to ruins by a British bombing campaign. Most of the main artistic highlights survived, while the baroque city center was irrecoverably damaged. During the next 20 years, the centre of Würzburg would be painstakingly re-constructed to the way it used to be before the bombing. Today, many of the historical relics are, in fact, high-quality replicas; visitors to the city don't realise this. The famous Würzburg Residence which was badly bombed, has to this day a piece of the original architecture from 1945. You can still see the blackened bomb damage on it.

Related Topics:
1720 - Würzburg Residence - 1814 - Bavarian - March 16 - 1945 - British - Baroque

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Since the end of the war, Würzburg has been host to the US Military's 3rd Infantry Division,1st Infantry Division and various other US military units who have maintained a presence in Germany. The local Würzburg economy benefits greatly from the US military presence. However, these units are due to withdraw from Würzburg after 2007 which will bring to an end over 60 years of US military stationing in Würzburg.

Related Topics:
3rd Infantry Division - 1st Infantry Division

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