The Old Main Bridge (Alte Mainbrücke)

If you’ve been to Prague, then you’ll understand what I mean when I say you certainly will feel like you’re walking across the Charles Bridge. The Old Main Bridge is one of the main sights to see in Würzburg and with good reason. Statues of saints are scattered along the entire length of the bridge which offers up beautiful panoramic views of the River Main, the Marienburg Fortress and a direct shot into town to the Würzburg Cathedral. The bridge was erected from 1473 to 1543 replacing an old Romanesque bridge. Built between 1473 and 1543, the 12 statues weren’t added until 1730, a tradition started in Rome known as the “Bridge of Angels”. The Charles Bridge in Prague did have statues on it before Würzburg’s, however the Würzburg bridge is older. To this day you can admire sculptures there depicting: Saint. Totnana, St. Kolonata and Saint. Kiliana from Würzburg, Saint. Frederick, bishop and one of the patrons of Prince Bishop Friedrich Carl von Schönborn, Saint. Joseph depicted with young Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint. John of Nepomuk, Saint. Karol Boromeusz, one of the most important representatives of Catholic reform and the second patron of bishop Friedrich Prince Carl von Schönborn, Saint. Burkard, the first bishop of Würzburg, St. Bruno, bishop of Würzburg and builder of the cathedral in Würzburg, Emperor Charlemagne and Pippin, father of Charlemagne. The pedestrianized bridge not only links Würzburg’s old town with the former fishermen’s quarter on the left bank of the Main river. In recent years it has become one of the city’s prime gathering spots for socializing and meeting old and new friends. Especially on warm summer nights visitors mingle with locals and enjoy the lively and convivial atmosphere whilst sipping a glass of Franconian wine.