Education & Research > Studying in Germany : History meets modernity: Studying in Würzburg

History meets modernity: Studying in Würzburg

November 05, 2008

Surrounded by vineyards, dotted with churches and shining in baroque splendor – Würzburg looks like a vision from a fairy tale. The ancient charm and catholic background prompts many visitors to see the city as a conservative stronghold. But there are other forces at work in this city of 300,000 residents – 30,000 students, good Franconian white wine and more.

The city introduced

First mentioned in A.D. 704 as “Vurteburch,” the city on the river Main is an architectural treasure trove. There are innumerable buildings and monuments of historical interest reflecting a range of epochs. Hovering above town, for example, is Marienberg Fortress – the current castle was built around 1200 – from which the bishops used to rule over their “lowly subjects.” Just below is the oldest bridge over the river Main, and the famous "Residenz" Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Würzburg's splendor reveals the city's historical significance: It has been an Episcopal seat for 1,300 years and it's the political center of the northern Bavarian region of Lower Franconia. However, not everything that looks ancient is even old. During the Second World War, bombings reduced more than 90% of the city to ashes. In a powerful effort, the residents rebuilt their hometown in a short span of A man walking in the gardens of the Marienberg Fortress in Wuerzburg

A man walking in the gardens of the Marienberg Fortress in Wuerzburg

time. Today, renovated facades and exquisite stucco works again enchant visitors.

Most tourists begin their sightseeing tour in the historic center and later follow the scenic “Romantic Road” down south to visit places such as the medieval town Rothenburg ob der Tauber 70 km away. The countryside around Würzburg is idyllic, and the vineyards are more than just scenery: Franconian wine is a way of life.

Würzburg has many secrets to staying young and vital. One of them is the abundance of green in the city. There's much more than just the green meadows on the banks of the Main. There's an extensive Ring Park that encompasses the historic center like a belt. And all in all, Würzburg can boast an impressive 40,000 trees in the city area.

Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg

Originally founded in 1402, political and financial troubles doomed the university to a short life. It was re-established in 1582, and the University of Würzburg has since become a highly ranked, internationally renowned institution. Many well-known scholars have studied there. Its alumni-register includes eight Nobel Prize winners, including physicist Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen, who received the first Nobel Prize in 1901 for his discovery of x-rays.

Today, the University of Würzburg has 21,000 students and 400 professors. A traditional full university, it offers a wide range of subjects, distributed over 10 faculties. Alongside traditional courses of study, such as Theology, Law, Medicine and Philosophy, many new ones have been added, such as Modern China or Space Master.

In addition to the broad course offerings, it's one of the universities with the highest concentration on research in Germany. It ranks top ten in terms of attracting outside funds from the central public funding organization for academic research (DFG).

Modernity and history meet on a daily basis in Würzburg. For example, a large part of the “Residenz” and many other old buildings are used for university purposes. Not too many students outside of Würzburg can claim to study or research in a UNESCO World Heritage building.

Due to the long history of the institution, the faculties are spread all over the city. However, most of them can be easily reached by public transportation. And, as in most other German student towns, a bicycle is a must-have item.

Did you know?

Don't be surprised to hear English all around you on the street. There are many Americans in the city because of the large American military base, Leighton Barracks, which is just outside town.

Würzburg is a very warm and dry city. Shielded by a mountainous region in the north, this part of A musician at the Africa Festival in Wuerzburg

A musician at the Africa Festival in Wuerzburg

Franconia gets less rain than most other parts of Germany.

Würzburg's printing presses and methods are well known around the world, which is why many banknotes from different countries are printed here. The premises of one large printing company alone comprises an area larger than 30 football fields.

Things to check out

From April to November, the small villages on the outskirts of Würzburg celebrate their wine festivals and enjoy some good Franconian wine. True experts know that this only comes in flat, big-bellied bottles – the so-called Bocksbeutel.

There are a number of festivals on the meadows of the river Main, and they attract huge audiences every year. The Afrika Festival, for example, is the largest festival for African music in Europe.

The old inland harbor has developed into a popular nightlife zone. If you've never partied on a boat, check out Das Boot – a floating discotheque anchored on the right bank of the River Main.