Slept well but still awake early, although mum is managing to sleep through. Want to hit her on the head when she snores happily away while I'm wide awake. Anyway, after some breakfast at the hostel we wandered back into town. Stopped and had a look at Juliusspital which was founded in 1576. Just another building that looks like a palace. Went to the town hall where there was a display on the destruction of Wurzburg on March 16, 1945. The allies bombed the town and it was said that only 7 buildings out of the whole town remained intact. It is amazing looking around the town now, knowing that. They have done an amazing job of rebuilding.

Next stop was the Residence Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage building. Built from 1720 by the Prince Bishop of the time, it is a display of opulence and wealth...basically his way of saying "Look at me, aren't I rich and powerful, 100 plus rooms and 400 servants for 1 person". Luckily the main staircase and ceiling were not damaged in the war, only the side wings but luckily they had removed what they could and stored it elsewhere so after the rooms were repaired, they were able to bring the furniture, wall hangings, lights, doors, etc back.

The grand staircase is an area of 600sqm (about the size of our home block back in Oz). The ceiling was painted with representatives of the 4 continents at the time but 3 of them (Asia, Africa, America) were all looking towards Europe and the Prince Bishop basically saying "you are great". Unfortunately not able to take photos in here. We took the free guided tour and once again, the guide had a real passion for the palace which made the tour really enjoyable.

Quick stop to the Court Chapel within the Palace before we thought we would walk up to Fortress Marienberg as we had heard the views of the city were amazing. We stopped at Dom St Kilian, a huge Romanesque Cathedral started in 1040. It was burnt out during WWII but was re-built. Walked over Alte Mainbrucke (bridge) and started towards the fort. We then saw a sign that said it was a 35min walk and it was all uphill. We really didn't have the time so decided to enjoy the fort from the bridge and we would look at pictures of the view online. On the bridge, there was a little bar and people were just hanging out drinking wine and beer. Just another day.

Back to the markets for lunch where I tried Schupfnudeln which was a type of pasta with cabbage and bacon. Good to try some different things. Mum had a good old sausage sandwich. Visited Marienkapelle, another church constructed in 1377 which had its interior replaced after the war. Quick stop at the markets to pick up the items we saw yesterday and back to our luggage and next train to Rothenburg. We had to change trains at Steinach and they had no elevators but next to the steps, they had a little electric conveyor belt so when you put your bag on it, it started up and your bag was taken down the steps with you or up. Very clever and very handy, especially with mum's suitcase!!

Made it to Rothenburg and walked about the 1km to our accommodation, another Pension just inside the walled gates. Mum thought I was going to get her lost but all good. Checked in and then headed into the main part of town ready for Christmas overload.