Discover the Medieval Secrets of Three Unforgettable Bavarian Towns: Bamberg

Don’t get me wrong. These are great places to visit. But if you’re looking to take a step back in time without the crowds, you might want to take the road less traveled. You might want to stroll over the cobblestoned bridges and lanes of Bamberg, Bayreuth and Regensburg, and visited their historic Old Town Halls, churches and palaces.

Bamberg

Arched stone bridges, road bridges and wooden bridges weave back and forth across the River Regnitz, transporting you to the artificial island and medieval town of Bamberg. If you enter the old city via the Alte Rathaus, make sure you examine the building closely. You’ll discover the Old Town Hall, built in the middle of the River Renitz in 1386, delicately straddles the Obere and Untere Bridges. On one side sits the oldest part of Rathaus, a 15th century half-timbered building that juts out and over the bridge, almost touching the water. Colorful frescoes decorate the sides of the newer part of the town hall, an 18th century Baroque-styled building.

Before you enter the old city, look to your right past the frescoes and the river and you’ll see Klein-Venedig, Bamberg’s version of “Little Venice.” These half-timbered 17th and 18th century houses with balconies and front gardens line the River Regnitz.

Bamberg photos by Maureen Bruschi

The Domplatz (Cathedral Square) is the centerpiece of the old town

Here you’ll find a number of magnificent buildings, including the 13th century Kaiserdom (The Imperial Cathedral of St. Peter and St. George). The cathedral’s massive four towers sit on the side of one of Bamberg’s seven hills.

Take a peek inside the cathedral and you’ll see the famous Bamberg Horseman (also known as the Bamberg Rider). Some have suggested that this sculpture might be the Hungarian King Stephen I. You’ll also see the Marble Tomb of Emperor Henry and his wife Cunigunde.

Near the Kaiserdom you’ll find the Renaissance facade of the Alte Residenz (the Old Court), built in 1007 to seat the first bishop. The Old Court also housed bishops in the 16th and 17th centuries. The Baroque-styled Neue Residenz (New Residence) was built between 1697 and 1703 for Bishop Prince Lothar Franz.

Eighteenth century bishops also resided in this L-shaped palace. If times permits wander the Neue Residenz hallways and explore the magnificent princely bedrooms, the Imperial Hall on the second floor and the Kaisersaal Concert Hall.

If you love beer, you'll love Bamberg. Home to nine breweries, Bamberg is known as a beer drinker's Eden. Enjoy the town’s most famous beer, its "smoked beer" (Rauchbier) found in most of the local pubs and restaurants.

If You Go: Most major airlines fly into Bavaria's Munich Airport or Nürnberg Airport. By car, Bamberg is north of Nürnberg and can be reached via A70 and A73. German highways are excellent. Just make sure you stay to the right if you’re not passing.
For more information on Bamberg visit Bamberg.info or stadt.bamberg.de