Usually royal residences take centuries to complete, but most of the prince-bishop's residence in Wurzburg was constructed in less than 35 years in the 1700's. Therefore the palace has a homogeneous appearance, with baroque being the primary style.
We had a guided tour of the inside of the Residenz, but did not have time to explore the beautiful gardens.
I was extremely impressed with the restoration of this palace. Allied fire bombs significantly damaged the Residenz during World War II, and it was not completely restored until the late 1980's. Interestingly, the massive vaulted ceilings in the vestibule, staircase, and Imperial Hall, which many thought were technically impossible to build in the 18th century, withstood the 1945 bombings and are still intact.
Some of the frescoes and rooms in the Residenz are as impressive as any I have seen. A massive fresco depicting the four known continents greets visitors as they climb the staircase. The White Hall, with its white stucco against a pale gray background, is breathtaking for those of us who love a monochromatic look. The Mirror Cabinet of the Southern Imperial Apartments has the most precious interior design and took eight years to restore. These delicate mirrored walls must be seen to be appreciated.
