Tourist Attractions in Bamberg

The Alte Hofhaltung or Alte Residenz in Bamberg is one of the finest creations of the German Renaissance, built as the Bishop's palace in 1571-76. It now houses the Historical Museum (applied and decorative art, etc.). The Calderón Festival is held in the courtyard.

On top of the hill in Bamberg is the former Benedictine abbey of Michaelsberg (1009-1803), with St Michael's Church (12th-15th C; ceiling paintings of medicinal herbs). To the north and west of the church are the new abbey buildings erected by J. L. Dientzenhofer (1696-1702) and Balthasar Neumann (1742).

The Neue Residenz (1695-1704) in Bamberg is J. L. Dientzenhofer's greatest work, with the Prince-Bishop's residential apartments, the Gallery of German Art (Heisterbach Altar; painting of the 15th-18th centuries) and the State Library (temporary special exhibitions). In the courtyard is a beautiful rose-garden with a magnificent view.

The Obere Brücke (Upper Bridge) in Bamberg has attractive views to the right of Klein-Venedig (Little Venice; old fishermen's houses). In the middle of the bridge is the Old Town Hall (rebuilt by J. M. Küchel in 1744-56). Its unusual situation reflects the fact that it served both the Bürgerstadt and the episcopal town on their different sides of the river.

The Böttingerhaus in Bamberg is a distinguished Baroque building of 1707-13.

The Bürgerstadt in Bamberg is the borough which developed between the two arms of the Regnitz. It contains the Grüner Markt (pedestrian zone), with the Baroque church of St Martin (1686-91) and, to the north, the New Town Hall (Neues Rathaus; 1733-36). Nearby is the well-stocked Natural History Museum.

The Carmelite Convent (12th C., altered about 1700) in Bamberg has a beautiful Late Romanesque cloister.

Concordia in Bamberg is a handsome Baroque palace of 1716-22.

Days of Old Music is an annual four-day festival that takes place in mid-June and includes a series of concerts highlighting 17th C. music. Baroque melodies, chamber music and madrigals are performed in the city's cathedral, the New Residenz Palace, Geyersworth Castle and numerous other historic buildings.

The Diocesan Museum in Bamberg contains the rich cathedral treasury, precious vestments (including Henry II's imperial robes) and the statues from the Adamspforte.

The long Grüner Markt in Bamberg is a pedestrian zone.
There are many historic buildings that line the square including the Church of St. Martin, and St. Catherine Hospital and Seminary.

The E.-T.-A.-Hoffman-Haus in Bamberg is the one in which the writer lived from 1809 to 1813.

The Karl May Museum in Bamberg commemorates the 19th C. writer of adventure stories.
Exhibits include some of his original works and furnishings from his house.

The Natural History Museum in Bamberg is well-stocked.
The collection on display was found in 1791 and has been added to regularly. The exhibits at the Natural History Museum deal with geology, mineralogy and soil science as well as with indigenous mammals and fossils.

The New Town Hall in Bamberg was built between 1733 and 1736.

The old castle of Geyerswörth (1585-87) in Bamberg was once a stronghold of the Prince-Bishops.

The Baroque church of St Martin in Bamberg was built between 1686 and 1691.

Musical Summer is a three month festival from mid-June to late September and includes at least a dozen different concerts, spread out across the region.

The events range from symphonic and choral performances, to various recitals and even folk concerts.

The repertoire of the festival varies widely, from traditional classical works to ethnic folk music.

Every year different towns in the region get a chance to host concerts, but five towns have been chosen to have at least one annual concert. They are Bamberg, Coburg, Forchheim, Kronach and Vierzehnheiligen.

The Upper Parish Church is Bamberg's finest Gothic building (14th-15th centuries).