The University of Würzburg was founded in 1402, making it one of the oldest universities in Germany. Its status and privileges were confirmed during the Counter Reformation by Emperor Maximilian II and Pope Gregory XIII. The famous scholars who have taught and researched at the University include Athanasius Kircher, Rudolf Virchow, Carl Siebold, and Franz Brentano. Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen discovered X-rays here in 1895, an achievement for which he received the first Nobel Prize for Physics, awarded in 1901. Since then, 12 more Nobel laureates have studied or worked at the University, among them physicist Klaus von Klitzing, who was awarded the Nobel Prize for his discovery of the quantum-hall effect.
With only 130,000 inhabitants, Würzburg combines the advantages of a smallish city where it’s easy to get one’s bearings with the rich cultural life of a regional center. The city is dominated by the Marienberg Fortress overlooking the river and the town. The Prince Bishop’s Residence with its frescoes by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Nestling in the valley of the river Main and surrounded by vineyards, Würzburg is one of the most beautiful cities in Germany.
