The old Main Bridge in Würzburg, Bavaria, Germany.
Würzburg's Old Main Bridge (Alte Mainbrücke) was built 1473–1543 to replace the destroyed Romanesque bridge from 1133. It was adorned from 1730 on in two phases with well-known statues of saints and famous persons. During World War II, on March 16, 1945, about 90% of the city was destroyed by some 225 Lancaster bombers in 17 minutes by a British air raid. Most of the city's churches, cathedrals, and other monuments did not survive, while the city center, dating from medieval times, was totally destroyed in a firestorm in which some 5,000 people perished. During the next 20 years, the buildings of historical importance were painstakingly and accurately replicated. The citizens who rebuilt the city immediately after the end of the war were mostly women (Trümmerfrauen = rubblewomen), since men were either dead or taken prisoners of war. Relatively, Würzburg was destroyed more completely than was Dresden in a firebombing the previous month.
Size: 3581px × 5120px
Location: 97070 Würzburg, Bavaria, Germany.
Photo credit: © dpict / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: alte, bridge, bridges, cities, city, destinations, german, mainbrücke, pedestrians, rivers, sightseeing, statues, tourism, tourist, town, towns, travel, wuerzburg, ürzburg
