What if I told you Unterdürrbach was born from a desire to escape city life? It is true. This part of Würzburg has a unique story. It began with citizens wanting a different life.
Back in 1170 the Bishop of Würzburg, Herold von Höchheim, allowed people to settle here. He is considered the founder of Unterdürrbach. These Würzburgers sought refuge from Pleich. They were granted land near the Steinberg’s north slope.
Unterdürrbach gets its name from the Dürrbach stream. This stream is a right tributary of the Main. The name “Dürrbach” suggests it is often dry. The ground is porous so the water flows underground. After rainfall, the stream becomes visible.
The history of Unterdürrbach is linked to the Hochstift Würzburg. They possessed land here from the 8th century. A document from Oberzell Monastery mentions Unterdürrbach and its vineyards in 1170.
Around 1276, a castle appears with Eckehart Schenk von Rossenberg. Until 1575, Unterdürrbach belonged to Würzburg. In that year, residents started marking their own boundaries. Würzburg tried to maintain the old relationship. But Unterdürrbach gained its own territory in 1580. It became an independent community.
However, Unterdürrbach was reintegrated on July 1, 1976. This happened during a regional reform.
The village center of Unterdürrbach was devastated on March 31, 1945. A USAAF air raid with B26 bombers turned it into rubble. Seventy-eight residents died.
Flooding occurred in 1947 and 1965 due to heavy rains. The Dürrbach stream overflowed. Some historical photos document these floods.
The Katholische Pfarrkirche St. Rochus und St. Sebastian shapes the town. A church was first mentioned in Unterdürrbach in 1672. The parish was established in 1776. The current church was consecrated on November 15, 1801. It replaced an earlier church. Friedrich Freiherr von Zu Rhein donated 30,000 Gulden for the new building. Würzburg court architect Adam Salentin Fischer designed it. The crucifixion group and Immaculata are by Johann Peter Wagner.
The Dorfbrunnen stands on the Katholische Pfarrkirche Unterdürrbach forecourt. It features an old grotesque stone as a waterspout. The fountain was built in 1983.
Today, Unterdürrbach continues to be a vibrant part of Würzburg. Its history is etched into its streets. The spirit of those seeking a fresh start lives on. It is a place where wine and community intertwine.