Würzburg Fortress in Transition: Major Renovation Project Starts!

Würzburg Fortress in Transition: Major Renovation Project Starts!

A lot is happening in Würzburg! A significant reconstruction project of the Würzburg Fortress, the largest in the history of the Bavarian Palaces and Lakes Administration, is taking concrete shape. The conversion of the oldest part of the fortress to the Museum für Franconian will shape the coming years. The construction work has been going on for around two years and is expected to take a total of around ten years, with a cost of around 300 million euros - a huge sum that illustrates the ambitions behind the project. The castellan of the fortress, Stephen Jüngling, provides exciting insights into this impressive development, which is important not only for the region but also for those interested in culture.

A highlight of the rehabilitation is the move of the Museum für Franconia to the front part of the fortress. Those responsible are currently making do with an exhibition in the outer courtyard and are planning a ceremonial reopening in 2032. The restorer Susanne Wortmann has her hands full. She not only manages the move of a total of 15,000 objects, but also takes care of the individual packaging of each individual exhibit. To ensure the safety of the valuable pieces, armored tents are even used to keep pests away. A real feat of strength!

A look behind the scenes

The exciting goings-on at the fortress are also discussed in a documentary by Bavarian Radio. The film entitled “The Würzburg Fortress – Heartbeat of a Construction Site” provides a detailed insight into the challenges and progress of the construction work. Construction manager Sebastian Baumeister and castellan Jüngling themselves share their experiences and perspectives during this intensive time. The 45-minute documentary will be broadcast on November 10th at 9 p.m. on BR television and will also be available in the ARD media library from November 8th. An absolute must for anyone who wants to find out more about this historic building project! Bayerischer Rundfunk reports that it is worth the effort.

The renovation not only brings a new order, but also a variety of new exhibition areas and depots for the museum's collection. The logistics are quite challenging: construction equipment and containers have to be maneuvered through narrow, historic gates, which requires additional planning. A crane could be a big help, but setting it up in the courtyard is not possible at the moment. Another stumbling block on the way to a successful conversion.

Diverse cultural offerings

Aside from the renovation work, the region's cultural offerings are also flourishing. The Bavarian Palace Administration holds numerous events - from themed tours for adults and children to special exhibitions. For example, you can see the exhibition “Simply divine – Ludwig Schwanthaler’s designs for the royal apartment of Ludwig I.” in the Munich Residence until January 18, 2026. Or how about a visit to the Christmas markets in the palaces, castles and gardens of Bavaria? There is a lot to discover here, especially during Advent! Schlösserverwaltung has a wide range of offers up its sleeve.

Whether in the Würzburg Fortress or in other cultural institutions: the upheaval and renewal create a breath of fresh air and new perspectives. The coming years promise exciting developments that will keep Bavaria's cultural heritage alive and make it accessible to visitors. So it remains exciting to get involved in these changes!