Würzburg Residence

The palace was primarily designed by architect Balthasar Neumann, who was commissioned by the Prince-Bishops of Schönborn. Construction began in 1720, though the massive Baroque structure took over 60 years to fully complete.

The grand staircase features the largest ceiling fresco in the world, painted by the Venetian artist Giovanni Battista Tiepolo. Completed in the 1750s, the massive painting depicts allegories of the four continents known at the time.

The residence suffered severe damage during a bombing raid in 1945, which destroyed much of the roof and many interior rooms. Fortunately, the central staircase and the grand Tiepolo frescoes survived the destruction intact.

It is a masterpiece of Baroque architecture that blends elements of French, Viennese, and Italian design. The residence was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1981 for its exceptional artistic integration.