Marienkirche, Würzburg, Romanesque church in Würzburg, Germany
Marienkirche in Marienberg Fortress is a round church with a light beige plastered drum, a stone balustrade, small arched windows, and a grey seamed dome topped by a lantern and cross. To its right, a lower section with pointed Gothic windows and a rectangular tower adjoin it.
The church was first built in 706 and rebuilt in its current form during the early 11th century. It served as Würzburg's first cathedral before religious functions moved to a new location in the city.
The church's patron is the Virgin Mary, protector of Franconia, celebrated on 1 May. Since the 13th century the hearts of Würzburg bishops were buried at Ebrach Abbey, their entrails in this chapel, and their bodies in the cathedral. Twenty grave plates with bishop reliefs remain in the central space.
The church sits inside Marienberg Fortress and you reach it through the fortress's main entrance. Keep in mind that visiting hours depend on the fortress schedule, which can change with the seasons.
From the 13th century to the end of the 16th, the hearts of Würzburg's bishops went to Ebrach Abbey, their entrails to this chapel on the Marienberg, and their bodies to the cathedral. Twenty grave plates with bishop reliefs remain in the central room.
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