Würzburg: The Jewel of Franconia

• HelloHallo
  [HAH-loh]
• GoodbyeAuf Wiedersehen
  [owf VEE-duhr-zayn]
• YesJa
  [yah]
• NoNein
  [nine]
• Please/You're welcomeBitte
  [BIT-tuh]
• Thank youDanke
  [DAHN-kuh]
• Excuse me/SorryEntschuldigung
  [ent-SHOOL-dee-goong]
• How are you?Wie geht es Ihnen?
  [vee gayt es EE-nen]
• Fine. And you?Gut. Und Ihnen?
  [goot oont EE-nen]
• Do you speak English?Sprechen Sie Englisch?
  [SPRE-khen zee ENG-lish]
• I don't understandIch verstehe nicht
  [ikh fer-SHTAY-uh nikht]

• I'd like to see the menu, pleaseIch möchte die Speisekarte sehen, bitte
  [ikh MERK-teh dee SHPY-zuh-kar-teh ZAY-en, BIT-tuh]
• I don't eat meatIch esse kein Fleisch
  [ikh ESS-eh kine FLAYSH]
• Cheers!Prost!
  [prohst]
• I would like to pay, pleaseIch würde gerne bezahlen, bitte
  [ikh VU-duh gehr-neh beh-TSAH-len, BIT-tuh]

• Help!Hilfe!
  [HIL-fuh]
• Go away!Gehen Sie weg!
  [GAY-en zee veg]
• Call the Police!Rufen Sie die Polizei!
  [ROO-fen zee dee po-LEE-tsai]
• Call a doctor!Rufen Sie einen Arzt!
  [ROO-fen zee AI-nen artsht]
• I'm lostIch habe mich verirrt
  [ikh HAH-buh mikh fuh-REERT]
• I'm illIch bin krank
  [ikh bin KRONK]

• I'd like to buy...Ich möchte kaufen...
  [ikh MERK-teh KOW-fen]
• I'm just lookingIch schaue nur
  [ikh SHOW-uh noor]
• How much is it?Wie viel kostet es?
  [vee feel KOS-tet es]
• That's too expensiveDas ist zu teuer
  [dahs ist tsoo TOW-er]
• Can you lower the price?Können Sie den Preis senken?
  [KERN-en zee den PRICE ZEN-ken]

• What time is it?Wie spät ist es?
  [vee SHPAYT ist es]
• It's one o'clockEs ist eins
  [es ist iens]
• Half past (10)Halb zehn
  [halb tsayn]
• MorningMorgen
  [MOHR-guhn]
• AfternoonNachmittag
  [NAKH-mit-tahg]
• EveningAbend
  [AH-bent]
• YesterdayGestern
  [GEHS-tern]
• TodayHeute
  [HOY-tuh]
• TomorrowMorgen
  [MOHR-guhn]
• 1eins
  [iens]
• 2zwei
  [tsvai]
• 3drei
  [dry]
• 4vier
  [feer]
• 5fünf
  [fuhnf]
• 6sechs
  [zeks]
• 7sieben
  [zee-ben]
• 8acht
  [akht]
• 9neun
  [noyn]
• 10zehn
  [tsayn]

• Where's a/the...?Wo ist ein/der...?
  [voh ist iyn/der]
• What's the address?Was ist die Adresse?
  [vas ist dee ah-DRES-eh]
• Can you show me (on the map)?Können Sie mir zeigen (auf der Karte)?
  [KERN-en zee meer ZAY-gen (owf dair KAR-teh)]
• When's the next (bus)?Wann kommt der nächste (Bus)?
  [vahn kommt dair NOKS-teh (boos)]
• A ticket (to ....)Eine Fahrkarte (nach ....)
  [AI-nuh FAR-kar-teh (nahkh)]

Würzburg's history dates back to the Bronze Age, with evidence of Celtic settlements from around 1000 BC. The city was first mentioned as 'Uburzis' in a document from 704 AD, indicating its early significance as a settlement. It became an important center for the Franks in the early Middle Ages.

The turning point for Würzburg came in 741 AD when Saint Boniface established the Diocese of Würzburg. The construction of the first Würzburg Cathedral began shortly after, making the city a vital religious center in the Frankish Empire. It attracted scholars, clergy, and pilgrims, contributing to its growth and influence.

From the 12th century, Würzburg was ruled by powerful prince-bishops who held both secular and ecclesiastical power. They were responsible for the city's impressive architectural development, including the construction of the Würzburg Residence, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the Marienberg Fortress, which served as their residence.

Built between 1720 and 1744, the Würzburg Residence is a masterpiece of Baroque architecture. Commissioned by Prince-Bishop Johann Philipp Franz von Schönborn and designed by Balthasar Neumann, it features magnificent frescoes by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo. The Residence is renowned for its grand staircase, opulent halls, and extensive gardens.

Founded in 1402 and re-established in 1582, the Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg is one of Germany's oldest universities. It has been a center of learning and research for centuries, with notable alumni including Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen, who discovered X-rays, and Rudolf Virchow, the father of modern pathology.

During the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648), Würzburg was a strategic and religious battleground. The city endured multiple sieges and occupations by both Protestant and Catholic forces. Despite the devastation, the city managed to recover and continue its role as a religious and cultural center.

Würzburg was the site of some of the most severe witch trials in Europe during the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Hundreds of people, including many children, were accused of witchcraft and executed. These trials were driven by a combination of superstition, religious fervor, and political motives.

The early 19th century brought significant changes to Würzburg. During the Napoleonic Wars, the city was briefly part of the Confederation of the Rhine and later incorporated into the Kingdom of Bavaria in 1814. The secularization process led to the dissolution of the prince-bishopric, ending centuries of ecclesiastical rule.

Würzburg suffered extensive damage during World War II, with an Allied bombing raid on March 16, 1945, destroying about 90% of the city center. The post-war reconstruction efforts were monumental, focusing on restoring historic buildings such as the Würzburg Residence and the Old Main Bridge, while also modernizing the city.

Today, Würzburg is a vibrant city known for its rich history, cultural heritage, and educational institutions. It is a key stop on Germany's Romantic Road and attracts visitors with its well-preserved architecture, lively wine festivals, and scenic location on the Main River. The city's blend of historical significance and contemporary charm makes it a unique destination.

Würzburg is well-connected by various modes of transport. The nearest major airport is Frankfurt Airport, located approximately 120 kilometers away. From Frankfurt, you can take a direct train to Würzburg, which takes about 1.5 hours. Alternatively, Nürnberg Airport is also an option and is about 110 kilometers from Würzburg; trains from Nürnberg to Würzburg take approximately 1 hour. If you are driving, Würzburg is accessible via the A3, A7, and A81 motorways.

Würzburg has a reliable public transport system, including buses and trams operated by WVV (Würzburger Versorgungs- und Verkehrs-GmbH). Tickets can be purchased at kiosks, online, or directly from the driver. For short distances, walking or cycling are excellent options, as many of the city's attractions are close to each other. Taxis and ride-sharing services are also available for more convenient travel.

The official currency in Germany is the Euro (EUR). Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and larger stores, but it is advisable to carry some cash for smaller establishments and markets. ATMs are readily available throughout the city for cash withdrawals.

Würzburg is generally a safe city for tourists. However, as with any urban area, it is important to stay vigilant, particularly in crowded places like train stations and tourist attractions. Petty crimes such as pickpocketing can occur, so keep your belongings secure. Areas such as the train station and the Mainfranken Theater can be busy and require extra attention to personal items.

In case of an emergency, dial 112 for immediate assistance, which will connect you to ambulance, fire, and police services. The main hospital in Würzburg is the Universitätsklinikum Würzburg. Pharmacies ('Apotheken') are available throughout the city and often have emergency contact numbers listed on their doors for after-hours service. It is highly recommended to have travel insurance that covers medical emergencies.

Fashion: Do dress smartly, especially when dining out or visiting cultural sites. Avoid overly casual or revealing clothing in religious sites and formal settings. Religion: Do respect religious customs and dress modestly when visiting churches. Public Transport: Do validate your ticket before boarding and be punctual. Don't talk loudly or disrupt other passengers. Greetings: Do greet people with a firm handshake and maintain eye contact. Eating & Drinking: Do try local Franconian wines and dishes. Don't rush meals; dining is a leisurely activity in Würzburg.

To experience Würzburg like a local, visit the weekly markets at Marktplatz and the Bürgerspital Weinstuben for authentic Franconian cuisine. Engage with locals and don't hesitate to ask for their wine recommendations, as Würzburg is famous for its vineyards and wine culture. Explore the lesser-known neighborhoods like the Sanderau or Zellerau for a more authentic experience. Attend events such as the Mozart Festival or the annual wine festivals to immerse yourself in the local culture.