Fortress of Marienberg (Würzburg)

The Forteresse of Marienberg is on the heights of Würzburg.

In 704, a church dedicated to the Virgin is built on an old Celtic site. In XIIIe century it is surrounded by a first fortification. In 1482, the fortress obtains a second wall enclosing and the door of Scherenberg.

From 1253 to 1719, the fortress of Marienberg was the residence of the princes bishops of Würzburg.

At the time of the Revolt of the bumpkins, the castle is besieged by an army of 15.000 peasants who cannot seize some because of the enclosing walls and the escarpment of the ground. Their chief, Florian Geyer went to seek with Rothenburg ob der Tauber of the guns to open a breach in the wall. At the conclusion of the conflict, more 8 000 peasants were killed or plugged on the orders of the bishop. The Nazis reflect in obviousness the role of Florian Geyer 410 years later. They appreciated the fact that an ordinary man can sacrifice himself for his ideal and fight against the Catholic church.

Since 1573, it is transformed into castle Renaissance. During the War Thirty Year old, in 1631, the Swedes seize the fortress which is rebuilt in the style Baroque, with the first gardens in terrace.

Under the prince-bishop Johann Philipp de Schönborn (1642-1673), one builds other buildings and Bastion S.

The fortress was taken on different occasions, during the Napoleonean wars and by the Prussian army in 1866.

It shelters today several museums of the town of Würzburg.

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