Last October during a visit to Cologne Germany, we took a 31-mile excursion to the impressive Bruhl Palaces. The palaces were built between 1729 and 1735 as a summer retreat for Archbishop Clemons August of Bavaria. He was the Archbishop-Elector of Cologne at the time the Bruhl Palaces were constructed. Prior to this, he was the Archbishop of Regensburg. Upon his death, the property fell into disrepair until post WWII.
Based on our experience here, as well as at several other German palaces, the bishops were extremely powerful and lived very lavish lifestyles. Our first stop was the hunting lodge, also known as Falkenlust, which was small and elegant. It is where the bishop spent time with his friends. The blue and white tile going up the entire main staircase was absolutely beautiful.
Next, we visited the Augustusburg Palace which was a top highlight of our trip to Germany. Bonn is not too far away…a mere 35 miles away. When Germany was divided into two countries, the Bruhl Palace played a significant part in hosting dignitaries from other countries,such as Ronald Reagan, starting right after WWII until 1994.
I highly recommend a visit to the palaces. We visited in late October. I can only imagine how beautiful the gardens must be in the warmer months. We went as part of an extra excursion while we were on a Viking River cruise. We were allowed to roam around the hunting lodge on our own. Once we arrived at the main palace, we were assigned a guide who worked at the palace. He was extremely friendly and knowledgeable.
Exterior of the Hunting Lodge Front Gates of Hunting Lodge Private Chapel of Hunting Lodge In the park setting of the hunting lodge and private chapel Blue and White Tile At the Hunting Lodge Blue and White Tile At the Hunting Lodge Hunting Lodge Interior Interior of the Hunting Lodge Hunting Lodge Interior Hunting Lodge Interior Hunting Lodge Interior Hunting Lodge Interior Hunting Lodge Interior Bottom of the Staircase Impressive Stairwell Hunting Lodge Interior Hunting Lodge Interior Hunting Lodge Interior Mirror Room At the Hunting Lodge Beautiful Examples of Delft Ceramics Hunting Lodge Interior Hunting Lodge Interior Hunting Lodge Interior Blue & White Tile At the Hunting LodgeHunting Lodge Stairwell Interior of the Private Chapel Detailed Shell Design on Exterior of the Private Chapel Graveside Near the Chapel Exterior of Private Chapel The Exterior of the Palace and MoatThe Moat Around the MoatFront Area of Augustusburg Palace Front of the Augustusburg Palace Front Walkway to the Augustusburg Palace Front of the Palace Heating Unit Wall DetailPalace Chandelier Main Staircase Faux Marble PillarsImpressive Entrance Light Fixture Above Main Staircase The Main Staircase Ceiling Above the Main Staircase Faux Marble Painting Downstairs Entrance AreaClose-Up of Main Staircase Chandelier Exquisite Wall DetailsThe Main Staircase Close-Up of Upstairs Area Of Main Staircase View Of The Upstairs Area Of The Main StaircaseDetail of Staircase RailingUpstairs Reception Room Upstairs Above Main Staircase Dining Room Chandelier In Dining RoomUpstairs Dining RoomRooms Flooded With Light Palace Gardens Palace RoomPalace Wall DetailLess Formal Dining Room Beautiful Blue And White Tile In Less Formal Dining RoomMurano Light Fixture Tile DetailDelft Tile DetailPalace Gardens Palace Gardens Palace Gardens Palace Gardens Palace Gardens Palace Gardens
Front Entrance and Fountain at the Bishop’s Palace At the Bishop’s Palace Venetian Glass Chandelier from Murano IslandBishop’s Palace Hall of Mirrors Hall of Mirrors Hall of Mirrors Bishop’s Palace Top of the Main Staircase at the Bishop’s Palace Main Staircase at the Bishop’s Palace Bishop’s Palace Garden at the Bishop’s Palace Garden at the Bishop’s Palace Garden at the Bishop’s Palace Garden at the Bishop’s Palace Garden at the Bishop’s Palace The Great Seated ManDouble Bell Tower Center City Bakery Center City TramThe Pre-Christmas Market Has Started Old Wine Bar Marienkapelle Gothic Church Fun “Refueling” Stop Near the Bridge Local Cafe on the Bridge Center Ciy Fountain Local Grocery Store View of Original Bishop’s Palace and Grape VinesView from the Bridge Wine Bar on the Bridge The Bridge View from Canal Walkway Locks left in Memory Museum im Kultur Speicher Inside the Museum Inside the Museum Painting by Joseph Oppenheimer of the Hall of Mirrors at the Bishop’s Palace Painting of the Old Bishop’s Palace and VinesOld Main Bridgehead at Wurzburg Modern Painting at the Museum
We had one of our best travel days today in Wurzburg. There is much to do and the town is so manageable.
Like Nuremberg, the town was heavily bombed during WWII. Much of the area was rebuilt post WWII. Our first stop today was the Bishop’s Palace. Several of the rooms are original but much of the palace had to be restored after the war – including the Hall of Mirrors. The Palace has an exhibit that goes into the details of restoring the palace. The locals take tremendous pride in the palace and boast that it is more impressive than Versailles. Having visited Versailles, I disagree with the locals but this is a very impressive palace.
We then had a very pleasant walk from the palace to the downtown portion of Wurzburg. Like Bamberg, the town economically relies upon tourism, the university and about 100 other schools. In addition, Wurzburg holds many festivals and other special events. Everyone from Elton John to Michael Jackson has performed in Wurzburg. We were fortunate to experience an early Christmas market. The vendors included typical German arts and crafts as well as all kinds of food and beverages. I have to admit I was surprised to see a booth selling churros.
The area grows the largest amount of grapes in Germany and Wurzburg is known for its local white wines. Wine bars are everywhere and wine is definitely more popular than beer in this German town. There is even a wine bar on the bridge that serves its wines in glasses; my husband and I watched both Germans and tourists strolling the bridge with wine glasses in hand. We opted for coffee and pastries at a nearby cafe but those on our ship who partook said that the wines were really good.
I am really enjoying the Bavarian part of Germany.
NO time for boredom today 