The news about the nightly closure of the heavily frequented outer areas of the Würzburg fortifications caused a lot of discussion. The decision of the Bavarian Castle and Garden Administration was often criticized. As already reported, the heavily frequented outer areas of the fortress will be closed every night for security reasons, since the information signs are not clearly legible in the dark and uneven terrain also poses a danger.
The so-called moat with the bastions “Csar”, “St. Johann Nepomuk” and “St. Johann Baptist” as well as the path below the Fürstengarten are precisely affected. But why not simply illuminate the signs instead of locking off the whole area?
Unlit paths harbor a high risk potential
For reasons of species protection, public buildings, including the Marienberg Fortress, are no longer illuminated after 11 p.m. during the summer months. “Experience has shown that unlit paths, embankments, stairs and ramparts with life-threatening fall heights pose a high risk potential,” says Kathrin Jung from the Bavarian Castle Administration at the request of the editors. “Unfortunately, even lighting the warning signs is not enough to rule out this existing danger for visitors.”
The accessibility of the historic buildings for the public is an important concern of the Bavarian Castle Administration. However, the safety of all guests must always be guaranteed. “Since the number of nocturnal visitors in the outer area of the fortress has increased significantly recently, a new safety assessment by the State Building Authority of Würzburg was necessary.”
This has shown that closing the moat of the Marienberg Fortress for the reasons mentioned is “unfortunately unavoidable and absolutely necessary.” The regulation drawn up by the building authority therefore had to be implemented as quickly as possible.
Garbage production does not play a role in the nightly closure
Some readers, on the other hand, suspect that an increased amount of garbage at the fortress is the real reason for the nightly closure. Jung denies this. “On-site waste generation was not a factor in this decision. We do not expect any significant change in waste generation as a result of the new regulation.”
A private security company will be responsible for closing the entrances to the moat. The costs for this amount to around 1000 euros per month, Jung reports. Appropriate signs should also provide information about this. Personnel from the Bavarian Castle Administration then take care of the opening in the morning. This will be around 7.30am on weekdays and around 8.30am on weekends.
Lots of frustration on social media
The decision also caused a lot of resentment on social media. “Sorry – but that’s so wrong that I can’t find the right words for it! Of course something can happen in the dark. But I can also fall into the Main at night – the bank isn’t lit everywhere,” writes, for example users.
“The ‘free place to sow’ will only shift as a result. The safety statistics would indeed be an interesting aspect for the public. Will the Weinbergs, the Kppele or the Steinburg soon meet the same fate?” asks a reader.
In a non-representative survey on mainpost.de, almost 64 percent of the readers (402 votes) voted against nightly closures. 24 percent, on the other hand, think the decision was the right one. Eleven percent of users don’t care about the closure.
The Bavarian administration of the state castles, gardens and lakes, in short Schlsserverwaltung, is one of the most traditional administrations in the Free State. Established as the court administration of the electors and kings, it is now one of the largest state museums in Germany with 45 palaces, castles and residences as well as other monuments and artists’ houses. The lock administration employs around 1200 people today.
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