Veitshöchheim: Rococo Garden, Palace and Culture

Veitshöchheim combines the history of palaces and gardens with Jewish cultural heritage, wine country and activities along the Main. When planning your stay, it helps to decide what you want to focus on: culture and history, an excursion to the vineyards or time on the Mainlände riverside promenade. Each destination has its own connection to the town and can be incorporated into your trip in different ways.

Palace, Rococo Garden and Local History

Veitshöchheim Palace was built in 1680/82 under Prince-Bishop von Dernbach and expanded in 1749/53 by Balthasar Neumann, the architect of the Würzburg Residence, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. These two dates bring the palace’s history of construction to life. An exhibition on the garden’s history is on the ground floor. The Rococo Garden surrounding the former summer residence of the prince-bishops of Würzburg has been preserved in the Rococo style.

St. Vitus Parish Church also offers tangible historical connections: it is dedicated to the town’s patron saint. The high altar, dating from 1693, depicts the martyrdom of St. Vitus; the left side altar, from 1816, is dedicated to the life and work of the local saint Bilhildis. The palace, garden and church each offer a different perspective—from architectural history and garden design to the scenes depicted on the altars.

Jewish Life and Carnival

The Jewish Cultural Museum and synagogue document and preserve traces of Jewish life spanning more than three centuries. The permanent exhibition, redesigned in 2019, shows what life was like for Jewish families in the “village setting” and how it came to an end. A genizah was discovered in the synagogue, built in 1730; the Veitshöchheim Genizah is one of the most extensive in the German-speaking world. The building’s history thus offers insight into the records of Jewish life in the town.

Another cultural point of interest is carnival: for more than 30 years, the Mainfrankensäle in Veitshöchheim have hosted the televised event “Fastnacht in Franken.” In the foyer, the permanent exhibition “The World of Fastnacht in Franken” provides background on how the BR production came about at its original venue. Access arrangements may vary; check current visitor information before your visit.

Vineyards, Guided Tours and Routes along the Main

Vineyard tours in Veitshöchheim, Thüngersheim, Erlabrunn and Retzbach or Retzstadt offer insights into viticulture, climate, geology, history and wine. Along the way, there are views across the Main Valley and, at times, towards the heights of the Spessart and Rhön. The Bavarian State Institute for Viticulture and Horticulture on the edge of Veitshöchheim also offers themed tours covering perennials and woody plants, bedding and balcony plants, vegetable growing and Franconian viticulture. As the availability of public tours and booking options may vary, check the latest dates in advance.

The Bocksbeutelweg is a specific route through the vineyards: it runs from Veitshöchheim via Thüngersheim to Retzbach and passes through the vineyards for about 12 kilometres. Along the way, it offers views across the Main Valley, including the local recreation area with its bathing lakes and views of Erlabrunn and Veitshöchheim. This distinguishes a guided introduction to viticulture and the landscape from a route with a specified course and approximate length.

The Main Cycle Route runs along the opposite bank of the Main through Margetshöchheim and is easily reached from Veitshöchheim via a pedestrian footbridge. Veitshöchheim is about ten kilometres from Würzburg’s Old Town. If you are planning around a particular stretch or current trail conditions, check conditions in advance.

Leisure Activities on the Mainlände

The Mainlände offers leisure activities for families. These include a large playground with the three-masted ship “Santa Maria” and the “Amazonas” jungle camp, exercise equipment, a Kneipp foot-wading pool and a mini-golf course. The options combine play with exercise and water-based activities. As individual facility details may change, check the latest information if a particular activity is important for your visit.

Explore Veitshöchheim according to your interests: the historic sites and exhibitions offer a different focus from the vineyard tours and the Bocksbeutelweg, while the Mainlände adds leisure options.

Discover more destinations: Höchberg, Eisenheim, Thüngersheim, Gerbrunn, Reichenberg, Aub, Helmstadt, Würzburg.

Back to the main travel overview: Würzburg.