Veitshöchheim between the Rococo Garden, the Main and Franconian Carnival

Palace, garden and local history

Veitshöchheim Palace was built in 1680/82 under Prince-Bishop von Dernbach. Balthasar Neumann, the architect of the Würzburg Residence, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, extended it in 1749/53. The former summer palace of the Prince-Bishops of Würzburg is surrounded by a Rococo Garden that has been preserved in the Rococo style. An exhibition on the history of the garden is located on the palace’s ground floor. Here, the history of the building and garden culture offer two distinct ways to explore the place.

St. Vitus Parish Church also tells the story of the town. 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. Those interested in sacred art will find two altars with distinct themes and different dates of origin.

The Jewish Museum of Culture and the synagogue preserve and document traces of Jewish life spanning more than three centuries. Built in 1730, the synagogue is also connected with the Veitshöchheim Geniza, which is among the most extensive in the German-speaking world. Redesigned in 2019, the museum explores how Jewish families lived in the “village setting” and how their lives came to an end. Alongside the palace and garden, these subjects offer another distinct perspective on the town’s cultural history.

Family activities and wine-growing landscape

Families will find a range of leisure activities along the Main riverfront. These include a large playground with the three-masted ship “Santa Maria” and the “Amazon” jungle camp, fitness equipment, a Kneipp wading pool and a mini-golf course. The activities offer a variety of options, from playground equipment and exercise to mini-golf. If you would like to choose a holiday apartment based on the experiences you’re looking for, you can consider whether family activities, garden culture or wine trails should be the focus of your trip.

The Bocksbeutel Trail runs from Veitshöchheim via Thüngersheim to Retzbach, covering about 12 kilometres through the vineyards. Along the way, you can enjoy views of the Main Valley, including the local recreation area with its bathing lakes, as well as Erlabrunn and Veitshöchheim. The approximate route length provides a useful guide for planning your day. Wine tours in Veitshöchheim, Thüngersheim, Erlabrunn and Retzbach or Retzstadt offer insights into viticulture, climate, geology, history and wine. At times, the views extend as far as the heights of the Spessart and Rhön mountains.

The Bavarian State Institute for Viticulture and Horticulture offers additional themed tours on the outskirts of Veitshöchheim. Topics range from perennials and woody plants to bedding and balcony plants, vegetable cultivation and Franconian viticulture. These tours complement the vineyard tours in the wine-growing towns with subjects related to gardens and plants.

Carnival and nearby excursions

The Mainfrankensäle have hosted the televised show “Fastnacht in Franken” for more than 30 years. The permanent exhibition “The World of Fastnacht in Franken” in the foyer offers insights into the background and making of the Bayerischer Rundfunk production at its original venue. This gives your stay a distinct theme alongside gardens, wine and local history.

The Main Cycle Route can also be included in your wider travel plans: it runs along the opposite bank of the Main through Margetshöchheim and is easily reached from Veitshöchheim via a pedestrian footbridge. Würzburg’s Old Town is about ten kilometres from Veitshöchheim. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Veitshöchheim, you can weigh up the town’s activities against possible destinations nearby without having to combine your different sightseeing interests into a single itinerary.

Other places: Gaukönigshofen, Bergtheim, Eibelstadt, Gerbrunn, Hausen Bei Würzburg, Margetshöchheim, Aub, Würzburg.

Back to the main travel overview: Würzburg.