Bamberg, the old imperial and episcopal city and the most important town in Upper Franconia, lies on the western edge of a wide basin in the valley of the Regnitz (here divided into two arms) which flows into the Main, 7km/4.5mi downstream. The oldest part is the episcopal town on the high west bank of the left arm of the river, with the Cathedral and the old Benedictine abbey of Michaelsberg. The "Bürgerstadt" (borough) lies on the flat ground between the two arms of the Regnitz. Bamberg is a university town, and its symphony orchestra has an international reputation. The town has a river port on the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal. The industrial zone (principally engineering, textiles, electrical apparatus and appliances) lies to the east of the town.
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.
Address: Bamberg Neue Residenz, Domplatz 8, D-96049 Bamberg, Germany
Hours:
April 1 to September 30: 9am-6pm
October 1 to March 31: 10am-4pm
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), New Year's Eve (December 31), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
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 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.
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.
Address: Tage Alter Musik in Bamberg, Musica Canterey Bamberg Amalienstrasse 20, D-96047 Bamberg, Germany
Tips: One afternoon performance is organized every year.
The Diocesan Museum in Bamberg contains the rich cathedral treasury, precious vestments (including Henry II's imperial robes) and the statues from the Adamspforte.
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), All Saints' Day - Christian (November 1), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26), Good Friday - Christian
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.
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), All Saints' Day - Christian (November 1), New Year's Eve (December 31), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
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.
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Bamberg Cathedral
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Bamberg Cathedral, Bamberg
St Martin's Church, Bamberg
Bamberg Cathedral, Bamberg
Michaelsberg, Bamberg
Old Town Hall, Bamberg
St Martin's Church, Bamberg
Bamberg
