Bamberg
Facts (Bamberg)
MY Favourite Places to Visit
Old Town Hall and the Ludwig Collection
Obere Brücke1, 96047 Bamberg
August 2018
There's no better place to begin a walking tour of Bamberg's Old Town than at Obere Brücke, the pedestrian-only Upper Bridge, which offers superb views of Klein-Venedig - Little Venice - with its quaint old fishermen's houses. But what you're really here for is the superb Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus) perched somewhat precariously in the middle of the bridge. While a town hall had been located here as far back as 1386, the existing structure was rebuilt between 1744-56 to serve both the Bürgerstadt and the episcopal town.
It's a stunning piece of architecture, in particular due to the lovely frescoes adorning its facades and which depict the (tall) tale of how the building came to be built on the island. Interior highlights include the beautiful old Rococo hall and the Ludwig Collection with its more than 300 exquisite 18th-century animal-shaped tureens, figurines, and dinner services made of porcelain..
Bamberg Cathedral & Diocesan Museum
Domplatz 2, 96049 Bamberg
August 2018
The early 13th-century Bamberg Cathedral (Bamberger Dom) - its full name is St. Peter's and St. George's Imperial Cathedral - boasts numerous architectural features of interest, including the superb Prince's Doorway (Fürstentor), the principal entrance with its figures of apostles and prophets and a relief of the Last Judgment. Interior highlights include the tomb of Emperor Henry II, who died in 1024, along with that of his wife Kunigunde, while in the choir is the sculpture of the famous Bamberg.
Also of interest here is the Diocesan Museum (Diözesanmuseum Bamberg). Founded in 1966, highlights of the museum's large collection include rare textiles, vestments, and items of clothing, including Henry II's imperial robes; numerous important artifacts from the cathedral treasury such as goblets, crucifixes, and silverware; as well as many old statues.
Altenburg Castle
Altenburg 1, 96049 Bamberg
August 2018
Standing high atop Bamberg's tallest hill, Altenburg Castle (Schloss Altenburg) is one of the town's most popular attractions. Dating back to the early 12th century when it was used as refuge for the townspeople, it later served as the palatial home of Bamberg's bishops. Destroyed in 1553, all that remains of the original medieval structure are parts of the surrounding wall and the 33-meter keep. An important relic from this time is the old iron basket hanging from the tower used to signal neighboring castles up to 20 kilometers away.
The castle was rebuilt in the Romantic style, and highlights of a visit include its sumptuously furnished rooms and the spectacular views of the Old Town and the surrounding area.
Big Warning: The walk up to the castle was HELL!!! Be warned!
Neue Residenz
Domplatz 8, D-96049 Bamberg
August 2018
Built between 1695-1704, the New Residenz (Neue Residenz) lays claim to having no less than 40 gorgeous state rooms, including the Prince-Bishop's residential apartments, each beautifully decorated with stucco-work ceilings, tapestries, and original furniture dating from the 17th and 18th centuries. Other notable rooms include the Gallery of German Art with its Heisterbach Altar, and a collection of fine paintings from the 15th to 18th centuries, as well as the State Library. Also available for viewing are the 16 large portraits of past emperors painted directly onto the walls of the Emperor's Hall. (Guided tours are required to view the interior and last 45 minutes.)
A highlight of any visit should be the courtyard, with its beautiful rose-garden and magnificent views. Designed by Balthasar Neumann, the garden, laid out symmetrically and festooned with numerous statues, sees in excess of 4,500 roses in bloom each summer.