The Upper-Main Valley is home to some of the most spectacular cityscapes in Germany. Centered on the city of Würzburg, the region became a global center of art and culture in the Age of Absolutism. From the Renaissance through Rococo, great architects and artists left their indelible mark on the region.
Here the region of Main-Franconia refers to the parts of the Main valley once controlled by the Prince-Bishops of Würzburg. The Bishops ruled over a dominion in the fertile highlands of the Main Valley. In the north, the forests and hills of the Rhön hide numerous hot springs and great mineral wealth. In the south, the Main Gorge was, as is today, covered in great vineyards, even as far back as the 17th century. In between, stretched endless rollings plains of vibrant farmland, dotted with ancient towns, monasteries, and castles.
The Prince-Bishops’ spectacular wealth came from the River Main’s strategic bounty. Along it flowed trade from all corners of Europe, from the East in the Bohemian Kingdom, South on the Danube portage, and West via the Rhine. The splendor of Würzburg itself fell victim to the cataclysm of the Second World War, and most of its baroque cityscape was destroyed. However, the legacy of the Bishops remains evident in the great works of art and architecture that survive, a timeless testament to their untrampled wealth and power.
