Do you see that weathered structure before you? That is the alte Weinpresse Sculpture. It stands as a testament to Würzburg’s rich wine heritage. This is no ordinary sculpture. The alte Weinpresse Sculpture whispers tales of centuries past. Imagine the rhythmic creaks and groans of the press. Hear the laughter of generations celebrating a bountiful harvest.
Würzburg’s wine culture runs deep. The city even tasked Balthasar Neumann to include a “vorzüglichen Weinkeller” when building the new Residence in 1719. He was commissioned by Prince-Bishop Johann Philipp Franz von Schönborn. This shows the importance of wine to Würzburg.
The Staatlicher Hofkeller Würzburg continues the tradition of the prince-bishop’s wine cellar. It’s not just a museum. It is a living monument to wine culture. It features modern wine cellar practices. Visitors today can explore the atmospheric cellars. Many consider it one of the most beautiful wine cellars in the world. The Hofkeller covers 4,557 square meters. Its passages stretch for 891 meters.
Inside the Hofkeller, you can find the Stückfasskeller. This is the heart of the historic cellars. One hundred small wooden barrels rest on a double rack. These barrels give the cellar its name. A “Stück” is an old Franconian unit of measurement. It equals about 1,200 liters. An old wine press from the 18th century stands proudly here. It is a highlight of this wine culture site.
Consider the history echoing within these walls. For over 200 years, giant “Beamtenweinfässer” held the liquid wages of court employees. Imagine receiving your salary in wine. The “Kellerrecht” outlines rules for behavior within the cellar. It forbids quarreling, cursing, and making a mess. It discourages knocking on the barrels or being overly curious. The Rondellkeller is an architectural marvel. Balthasar Neumann designed it. A massive central pillar supports the weight above. Two floors above was once the Prince-Bishop’s theater. Today, it houses the Gemäldegalerie.
The Bacchusecke, named after the Roman god of wine, once housed the Hofkeller’s treasury. It was destroyed in World War II. Later rebuilt as a wine tasting area, it now showcases treasure chamber wines. The Geschichtstunnel stretches 60 meters. It brings to life 875 years of wine history. The Rotweinkeller, renovated in 2006, ages the Hofkeller’s red wines. The “Eiskeller,” originally the Residence’s refrigerator, stores fine red wines in barrique barrels.
The alte Weinpresse Sculpture here reminds us of this legacy. It reminds us of the craftsmanship and dedication that go into winemaking. It represents the connection between the land, the people, and the fruit of their labor. As you stand before the alte Weinpresse Sculpture, take a moment. Savor the history. Imagine the wine. This is Würzburg.