Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage City nestled in Upper Franconia, is distinguished by its location on seven hills. Often referred to as the “Rome of Franconia,” this historical seat of episcopal authority offers an impressive vista from Domplatz, featuring the remarkable cathedral with its four towers alongside the Baroque and Medieval palaces of Bamberg’s powerful Prince Bishops.
Visitors can easily spend a day immersed in the extensive collection of historical artefacts across the city’s museums or admire the views of Bamberg’s lower districts from the beautiful Baroque rose garden situated on a terrace.
Crossing the River Regnitz leads you to the Inselstadt (Island City), which served as Bamberg’s secular merchant settlement. Here, merchants constructed a town hall directly in the river, adorned with frescoes from the 18th century, to ensure their voice in municipal matters.
Below are the top attractions to explore in Bamberg:
1. Bamberg Cathedral
Founded by Holy Roman Emperor Henry II during the early 11th century, Bamberg Cathedral showcases outstanding Medieval architecture along with invaluable artworks.
Its exterior features four towers, complemented by the architectural symmetry evident in the two choirs, with the eastern end representing Romanesque style and the western end Gothic.
One cannot miss the tomb of Henry II and his wife Kunigunde, hewn from Franconian limestone over a span of 14 years by the Renaissance artist Tilman Riemenschneider.
Nearby, atop a column stands the magnificent Bamberger Reiter (Bamberg Horseman), a sculpture whose level of naturalism is astonishing, especially considering it dates back to the early 13th century.
Much more awaits discovery, from intricate carvings on the three main portals to two crypts, the marble tomb of Pope Clement II, exquisite stalls in the western choir, and an abundance of altars.
2. Alte Hofhaltung
This Renaissance ensemble encompasses the residential and commercial structures of Bamberg’s Medieval episcopal court.
The Alte Hofhaltung dates back to the early 11th century since the establishment of the diocese, with remnants of those initial palaces and chapels still present in the inner courtyard.
A Late Gothic timber-framed gallery lines the eastern corner, along with various smaller buildings.
Access to this area from Cathedral Square requires passing through the 16th-century Prachtportal (Magnificent Portal), adorned with a relief depicting Mary preceding an image of the cathedral.
To her right is Holy Roman Emperor Henry II, the founder of the Bamberg Diocese in 1007.
3. Historisches Museum
This museum, situated within the Alte Hofhaltung, uncovers the history and culture of Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Gemäldegalerie (picture gallery) boasts 100 works from renowned artists, including Brueghel and Lucas Cranach the Elder, along with 19th-century landscape artist Otto Modersohn.
The museum also offers insights into the bourgeois life of Bamberg during the 19th century through portraits, furniture, textiles, jewelry, musical instruments, and domestic appliances.
In addition, visitors can delve into Bamberg’s intricate relationship with the Regnitz River, particularly its history of flooding.
Since 2015, the museum has featured a permanent exhibition highlighting Bamberg’s Jewish community, which has received critical acclaim.
4. Altes Rathaus
According to local lore, Bamberg’s remarkable, fresco-adorned old town hall originated due to a dispute in the 14th century when the Bishop of Bamberg declined to allocate land for a town hall. Consequently, the residents opted to construct it on stakes in the River Regnitz, at the boundary between the episcopal and merchant districts.
The first documentation of the town hall appears from 1387, and it underwent a Baroque refurbishment in the mid-18th century.
It was during this time that the notable frescoes were created, including a three-dimensional sculptural cherub’s leg that intriguingly extends from the mural. The interior features the splendid Rococo Hall as well as the Ludwig Collection of fine porcelain.
5. Neue Residenz
In 1602, Bamberg’s prince bishops relocated from the Alte Hofhaltung to a lavish new palace situated on the opposite side of the cathedral square, where they resided until the secularization of 1803. The Neue Residenz stands as the largest palace in the city, comprising two original Renaissance wings and later Baroque extensions constructed a century thereafter.
Visitors can tour over 40 state rooms, with highlights including the magnificent central Imperial Hall (Kaiser Saal), adorned with allegorical frescoes and chandeliers.
The palace serves as a branch gallery for the Bavarian State Painting Collection, featuring prestigious works, including Hans Baldung Grien’s Die Sintflut (The Flood).
6. Rosengarten
Located behind the Neue Residenz is a charming rose garden that originally began as a Renaissance garden but transformed into its present Baroque style during the 1730s.
Within the Rosengarten, the meticulously organized flowerbeds feature 4,600 roses encircled by neatly trimmed hedges.
Statues are strategically positioned throughout the garden, with its straight pathways converging at a fountain surrounded by benches and lime trees.
The clipped lime trees also delineate the garden’s boundaries, and from the balustrade to the north, one can pause to marvel at the views of the merchant city.
7. Diocesan Museum
This museum, housed in the diocesan chapterhouse located on Cathedral Square, showcases the lavish and captivating collections from Bamberg’s cathedral treasury.
While many of the treasures were lost during secularization, the museum still possesses an impressive array of items that reflect the wealth and influence of Bamberg’s diocese.
Notable artefacts include textiles and vestments, particularly the regalia worn by Holy Roman Emperor Henry II and Kunigunde, as well as the 11th-century Pope Clement II. Furthermore, the Guntertuch, an 11th-century silk tapestry, illustrates the Byzantine emperor’s triumphant return from a successful campaign.
Other items on display include portable altars, drinking vessels, candlesticks, a silver image of Mary for processions, and a collection of Baroque and Gothic statues.
8. Altenburg
The highest hill in Bamberg has been fortified since the 12th century and served as a refuge for the city’s inhabitants during conflicts and raids.
In the mid-13th century, the Bishops of Bamberg acquired the property and transformed it into their residence until it suffered damage during the Second Margrave War in 1553. Following this, Altenburg functioned as a prison until restoration took place in the early 19th century, thanks to a friend of writer E. T. A. Hoffmann.
Hoffmann was fond of Altenburg and frequently visited one of the towers on the wall.
The main relic of the Bishops’ residence is the 13th-century keep, which features a 33-meter tower offering breathtaking views of Bamberg’s seven hills and the episcopal city.
Near the top, an iron frame once served as a beacon for signaling Giechburg castle, located 20 kilometers to the east.
9. Obere Pfarre
This High Gothic church, founded in the 14th century, features significant architecture and fittings from that period, including a Late Gothic choir and Baroque embellishments in the nave.
From the outside, visitors can explore the northern Brautportal (“Bridal Portal”), an open vestibule adorned with carvings illustrating the parable of the wise and foolish virgins on the jambs and the Coronation of Mary depicted in the tympanum.
The square tower on the southwestern side of the church was originally erected as a city watchtower before being incorporated into the church.
The grand high altar, constructed in the 1710s, nearly reaches the chancel ceiling and features an intricately carved depiction of Mary and Child from 1250. Additionally, one can find Tintoretto’s painting of the Assumption of Mary in the right aisle.
10. Klein Venedig
Adjacent to the Altes Rathaus, visitors are invited to stroll along the left bank of the River Regnitz.
On this side of the river, one can take a moment to appreciate Bamberg’s historic fishermen’s quarter.
Known as Klein Venedig (Little Venice), this area features a row of dilapidated half-timbered houses dating back to the 17th century.
The picturesque setting is enhanced as the assortment of houses is reflected in the river, seemingly jostling for space along the waterfront.
At the eastern end lies the Altes Schalchthaus (Old Slaughterhouse), partially constructed over the water and crowned with a cow sculpture at its entrance.
This quaint neighborhood serves as a perfect backdrop for traditional water jousts during Bamberg’s Sanderkwa folk festival.
11. Michaelsberg Abbey
Perched atop one of the seven hills, the towers of this former Benedictine monastery are visible from throughout Bamberg.
Established in 1015, Michaelsberg Abbey underwent a subsequent reconstruction by Bishop Otto during the following century, with the Romanesque architecture from this period still forming the basis of the abbey church despite a fire in the early 17th century.
The crypt houses Otto’s tomb, an essential highlight of the abbey.
This tomb, completed in the 1430s, features intricate carvings depicting figures such as Mary, St. Stephen, John the Baptist, and the Archangel Michael against a gilded background.
Otto’s likeness adorns the plate atop the tomb, which has a narrow passage believed to provide relief for individuals suffering from back pain.
As of the time of writing, the abbey was undergoing renovations.
12. Bamberger Kreuzweg
Located in the historic Sandgebiet, the Bamberger Kreuzweg is recognized as the oldest Way of the Cross in Germany.
This spiritual pathway consists of nine stations (reduced from the original 14) extending from the Church of St. Elisabeth to the Church of St. Getreu.
Initiated in the early 16th century by a knight with ties to Michaelsberg Abbey, each station presents a relief depicting scenes from the Passion, including Jesus bearing the cross, his encounters with Mary, receiving assistance from Simon of Cyrene, and his ultimate sacrifice.
13. E. T. A. Hoffmann’s House
The prominent Romantic writer E. T. A. Hoffmann resided in this narrow house on present-day Schillerplatz for nearly five years from 1808 to 1813. The museum located here endeavors to capture his literary spirit and personality through imaginative displays, such as a card theater model representing his fairytale, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, and a loge decorated in reference to Hoffmann’s celebrated opera, Undine.
The courtyard features a “magic garden,” inspired by his story The Golden Pot, filled with renowned quotations and motifs drawn from his works.
Additionally, an interactive music cabinet performs modern recordings of his musical compositions, while Hoffmann’s former living quarters on the second floor are redesigned to reflect their original state during his residency.
14. Rauchbier (Smoke Beer)
Bamberg is renowned for its distinctive beer style, which has roots dating back to before the industrial era.
Similar to past practices, the malt for this beer is roasted over a beechwood fire rather than dried in an oven.
This smoking process imparts a unique flavor to the resulting brew.
Since the fire was historically the only efficient method for drying malt until recently, Rauchbier preserves a flavor reminiscent of all beers crafted prior to the 19th century.
The key producers of Rauchbier in Bamberg include Schlenkerla and Spezial, two of the city’s seven breweries.
Both brands serve their famous beverages, often described as “liquid bacon,” at their respective brewpubs.
15. Sandkerwa
The Sandgebiet, Bamberg’s oldest district, hosts one of Bavaria’s largest folk festivals, attracting 300,000 attendees each August.
The origins of Sandkerwa are rooted in a Medieval celebration for the Church of St. Elisabeth.
During the festival, crowds flock to the narrow ancient town streets near the river, which buzz with beer stalls and beer gardens, such as the one adjacent to the Schenkerla tavern.
A long-standing tradition dating back to the 15th century involves Fischerstechen (water jousting), conducted on the Regnitz in Klein Venedig, where members from the old boatmen and fishermen’s guild engage in friendly competition, attempting to dislodge each other from rowboats using blunted lances.
