100 km from Würzburg, in the center of Bavaria, is the small town of Bamberg, crossed by the river Regnitz. Despite its small size, the city impresses with the beauties it offers, the old center being part of the UNESCO cultural heritage.
Unlike Nuremberg, Würzburg, Dresden or other German cities, Bamberg was only 5% damaged by World War II. Today you can admire the authentic medieval architecture compared to the cities above.
If you arrive in Bamberg, the best way to visit it is on foot, the main sights are a short distance from each other, or another faster option is to rent a bike, the price is between €5 and €8/day.
Located in the center of the city and being the main tourist attraction, the Cathedral is one of the most valuable architectural monuments in Bamberg. The building is built in late Gothic style, the main features being the solid towers.
Next to the Cathedral is the Neue Residenz (New Residence) built between 1698 and 1704, which was the seat of the bishops of Bamberg until 1802. The visit inside the palace is only possible with an organized tour lasting 45 minutes, the price being €4.5/person.
Between the Neue Residenz and the Bamberg Cathedral is the Alte Hofhaltung (Old Court of the Cathedral Square) surrounded by late Gothic buildings. Today it houses the History Museum.
The Diözesanmuseum is the Cathedral Museum and is located right next to the Cathedral, holding pieces of wood and nails said to be from the cross of Jesus. The museum can be visited from Tuesday to Sunday, between 10:00 and 17:00, the visiting fee being €5/person. Between May and October there are guided tours on certain themes, the price being between 6 and €10/person. More details can be found on the official website.
The Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) is one of the most important and visited buildings in the historic center, notable for its Baroque and Rococo styles. The murals, allegorical scenes and architectural details attract tourists from all over the world, the Town Hall being the most famous and photographed place in Bamberg. On one of the sides of the Town Hall, above the evil, is suspended the Rottmeister house – a small house with a structure on wooden beams.
Kleine Venedig (Little Venice) is represented by a picturesque canal that belonged to fishermen in the 19th century.
The Old Town, as I wrote at the beginning of the article, has been part of the UNESCO heritage since 1993. You can explore the charming streets on foot, admiring the sculptures and the mix of architecture that takes you through the history of the city.
Being built on seven hills, Bamberg is also called the “Rome of Franconia“. If you end up in the Nuremberg area, don’t miss the opportunity to take a short trip to Bamberg, a train ride of about 40 minutes. For beer lovers, Bamberg is also known for its 9 breweries that produce more than 50 varieties of beer, the most famous being the dark smoked beer. After our short stop we continued our way to Leipzig.
(Bamberg – May 2019)
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