The garden was built on the site of former city fortifications, necessitating the creation of a 'bastion garden' on the elevated ramparts.
It houses a 'botanical' section that includes heirloom apple and pear varieties, some dating back to the 18th century.
The central axis of the garden is perfectly aligned with the Residenz’s facade, continuing the palace's symmetry into the landscape.
Johann Prokop Mayer, who managed the garden, wrote a detailed treatise on local pomology in the late 1700s.
The garden suffered significant damage during World War II but was meticulously restored based on historical documentation.
The upper terraces are retained by massive stone walls that form part of the original medieval/Renaissance defensive fortifications of Würzburg.
The Court Garden (Hofgarten) is a sophisticated 18th-century Baroque garden flanking the Würzburg Residenz, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Designed by Johann Lukas von Hildebrandt and Johann Prokop Mayer, the grounds feature tiered terraces, ornamental flower beds, and a distinctive bastion-style layout. The garden ascends from the palace level to higher fortifications, offering an elevated perspective of the surrounding city and the Main valley. Its design incorporates traditional French Baroque elements such as axial symmetry, alongside specialized orchard sections containing historical grape varieties and fruit trees. Statuary by artists like Johann Wolfgang van der Auwera decorates the park, punctuating the gravel pathways and grassy parterres. The garden is maintained by the Bavarian Palace Administration and remains a primary example of late-period Baroque landscape architecture. It serves as a transitional space between the heavily structured stone architecture of the Residenz and the naturalistic slopes of the city's periphery.
From the upper bastion terrace, looking back toward the Residenz palace building.
Walk up to the highest bastion terrace for the best panoramic view of the Residenz and the city skyline.
The gravel paths can be dusty in summer; wear sturdy, closed-toe footwear to stay comfortable.
Visit the small orchard areas on the northern perimeter for a quieter, less crowded experience than the main parterres.
Don't mistake the outer grassy slopes for picnic areas; the formal central gardens are strictly for walking and viewing.
The garden is open daily, but some pathways or sections may close temporarily during extreme weather or for horticultural maintenance.
Stay on marked gravel paths to protect the flower beds and lawn areas; cycling and ball games are prohibited.
