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Sightseeing in Bamberg - Bamberg Sights and Attractions - Indian Chief Travel
GERMANY  |  Franken, Germany Travel Guide
Thursday, March 28, 2024
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Sightseeing in Bamberg

Sightseeing in Bamberg

Bamberg, for sightseeing purposes, can be divided into three basic sections: Bürgerstadt, which consists of the area between the Main-Danube Canal and the River Regnitz; Bischofsstadt (Bishop’s City), which comprises the Episcopal area, claiming the higher ground to the west of the River Regnitz; and Michaelsberg, which is higher than the Dom area and offers sweepings views of the old town of Bamberg.

Bürgerstadt

The citizens’ old town area is dominated by two large squares. The Maximiliansplatz is surrounded by Baroque buildings – the large former priest seminary is now used as the Rathaus (Town Hall). The long, narrow Grüner Markt (Green Market) is also lined by Baroque buildings, including the St Martins-Kirche (St Martin’s Church), another work by the talented Johann Dietzenhofer.

The Altes Rathaus (Old Town Hall) is, with the Dom, the most famous sight in Bamberg. It is on a small island between the civilian and religious towns. The core of the building is 15th-century Gothic but it received a Baroque exterior during the mid-18th century. Note the angel’s leg sticking out at the bottom of the wall in an attempt to add some 3-D! On the south side is the Rottmeisterhaus, a half-timbered house that seems to piggyback on the main building. This 1688 building was erected on the pontoon of the bridge, but from many angles seems to float in the air. The Altes Rathaus now houses the Sammlung Ludwig (Ludwig Collection), Obere Brücke 1a, a mostly Baroque porcelain collection donated by the Ludwigs.

The best views of the Altes Rathaus are upstream from the bridge leading to the Geyerswörth Castle. The Unteres Brücke, on the opposite side of the Rathaus, has good views of the former fishermen’s houses that are often referred to as Klein Venedig (Little Venice).

Bischofsstadt

The four-tower Dom (Cathedral), Domplatz, was consecrated in 1237. It replaced the original church, erected on the orders of Heinrich II in 1012, which burned down twice. The newer church is mainly Gothic but with strong Romanesque influences – the plans were altered 20 times during its construction as traditionalists argued with more progressives over the suitability of the new French style. The result is one of the most impressive medieval buildings in Germany. The Fürstenportal (Princes’ Portal), facing the Domplatz, has 10 recessed arches and an interesting sculpture of the Last Judgement. The Adamspforte (Adam’s Door), on the south side, is the main entrance.

Most of the interior walls are bare, as Bavarian King Ludwig I stripped off the medieval paintwork in the 19th century, but some early reliefs can still be seen in the choir. The most famous artwork in the church is the Bamberger Reiter (Bamberg Knight). The 13th-century equestrian statue of a king is an idealized view of the medieval world, but mystery surrounds its creator, or indeed who it is supposed to represent. It is generally assumed that it is King Stephan of Hungary, but many other theories exist. The Nazis used it as a symbol of Aryan perfection. No less impressive is St Heinrichs-Grab (St Henry’s Tomb) in the east choir. It was carved between 1499 and 1513 by Tilman Riemenschneider as a suitable memorial to Heinrich II, founder of the cathedral and later declared a saint.

The Diözesanmuseum (Diocesan Museum), Domkapitelhaus, Domplatz 5, is entered through the cathedral. It has the usual collection of lapidary remains and vestments. Of special note is Heinrich II’s Blue Coat of Stars and the original statues of Adam and Eve from the Adamspforte – these were the first nudes in German art.

The Alte Hofhaltung (Old Residence) was erected mostly in the 16th century as a residence for the bishop. It was built on the site of the 11th-century Kaiserspfalz (Imperial Palace) but most of the visible facades are Renaissance. The doorway has a statue of Heinrich II and his wife Kunigunde, with a model of the cathedral. The Innenhof (Inner Courtyard) has Gothic half-timbered buildings.

The Neue Residenz (New Residence), Domplatz 8, is the largest building in Bamberg. It was erected by Johann Dientzenhofer in 1695-1704 for the Prince Elector of Mainz and bishop of Bamberg. The interior has a painting gallery with old German masters and Baroque paintings. The Kaisersaal (Emperor’s Hall) is where Napoleon signed the declaration of war with Prussia on October 6, 1806. The Rosengarten (Rose Garden), behind the Residenz, has good views of the town.

Michaelsberg

The Michaelberg is higher than the Dom and overlooks the old town. It housed a Benedictine monastery from 1015 until 1803. A fire destroyed much of the monastery and it was rebuilt in 1610 in a Gothic style. Most of the former monastery is now a home for the aged but a small part is used for the Fränkisches Brauereimuseum (Franconian Brewery Museum), Michaelsberg 10f. It has a small exhibition on the history of beer making in the region as well as models and a display of traditional equipment.

The Michaelskirche (St Michael’s Church), erected between the 12th and 15th centuries, has a ceiling decorated with 578 flowers and medicinal herbs. 

Last updated April 2, 2012
Posted in   Germany  |  Franken
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