TOP THINGS TO DO IN THE HISTORIC CENTRE
I was excited to visit beautiful Bamberg Old Town, an exquisite German town in Bavaria, known for its UNESCO World Heritage Status and famous smokey beer. Bamberg was one of the most exciting cruise stops on our European River Cruise.
Read A 15 Day Scenic River Cruise in Europe.
Bamberg is a city in the region of Franconia. Remarkably, it survived WWII relatively unscathed and the Old Town remained mostly intact.
Located on the Regnitz River, which joins the Main River, the Old Town is a popular destination with much to offer visitors, a medieval gem with one of the best preserved centres you’ll ever see.
I took a guided walking tour with a local expert to learn a bit about the Old Town and main landmarks, then continued with my own explorations.
Here I’ll detail the top things to do in the historic centre and must-see sites.
Bamberg Old Town Hall
Walking down the lovely Karolinen Street in the heart of the old town (Alstadt) I was immediately drawn to the striking Town Hall building, a gorgeous medieval landmark and the most picturesque and photographed building in the city.
The town hall actually sits on a man-made island right in the middle of the river, connected by 2 pedestrian bridges (Obere Brücke and Untere Brücke). An ornate bridge tower welcomes you across.
The Baroque town hall building is famous for its colourful frescoes painted on the exterior, which almost seem 3-D. The artwork has required a lot of restoration over the years, which originally dates from 1755. Looking closely (below) you will see a leg of one of the cherubs sticking out. A magnificent monument that attracts much attention.
First built in the 14th century, the town hall had to be constructed on an artificial island when the bishop refused to allocate land for the purpose. By digging timber piles into the river bed, the residents created land that did not belong to him, and built the town hall they desperately wanted.
Inside you can visit the Porcelain Museum and the Councillors’ Hall.
A half-timbered house also forms part of the building, known as the Corporal’s House.
Old Town Streets
The narrow, cobblestoned streets of the Old Town are absolutely charming, with colourful, historic buildings, which are typical of many ancient European towns.
The best way to appreciate the soul of the city and its vibrant atmosphere is by walking around and exploring. I admired the heritage architecture, the beautiful facades of inns and shops, the classic half-timbered buildings, sculptures and murals. Bamberg Old Town is an open-air museum.
Famous Smokey Beer
Bamberg is reknowned for its Rauchbier, a dark smokey beer that tastes like bacon. The historic Schlenkerla brewery and tavern on Dominikaner Street in the heart of the old town is world famous for its traditional German beverage. Beer enthusiasts flock to this destination for the historic beverage.
The technique involves a traditional process of malt being dried over an open fire of beechwood logs, and tapped from oak barrels.
Of course, I had to try the famous rauchbier, and I’ll say it takes some getting used to.
The tavern is always a hub of activity, inside and out, with crowds of people gathering outside in the street drinking beer.
The building itself is also worth mentioning, originally a chapel of the Dominican monastery. The arched ceiling dates from 1310 and is decorated in a neo-gothic, gold-leaf paint work.
Bamberg's 'Little Venice'
Domplatz
Home to several notable buildings of different architectural styles and historical periods, Cathedral Square (Domplatz) is an impressive cultural centre and a highlight of the city, with beautiful views across the city from the hilltop.
The heritage Domplatz is a large cobblestoned area which includes these historic landmarks and must-see attractions of the old town:
- Bamberg Cathedral (Bamberger Dom)
- New Residence Palace (Neue Residenz)
- Old Court (Alte Hofhaltung).
Bamberg Cathedral
Standing on Domberg Hill is Bamberg Cathedral of St. Peter and St. George, overlooking the city.
The current church on the site was built in 1237, and features 4 huge spires which dominate the skyline. The Romanesque-Gothic style church is a major medieval landmark of the region.
Inside the cathedral is an equestrian statue called the Bamberg Horseman, an iconic sculpture from the 13th century, whose identity is unknown.
Pope Clements II is buried here, as he had been the Bishop of Bamberg and hence, it was his cathedral.
New Residence Palace
The crowning glory of the city would have to be the Neue Residenz. The opulent new palace was built to replace the Old Court during 1600 to 1700, which had become too small and too old.
The New Residence was the seat of power for the Prince-Bishops until 1802 and has been well-preserved.
The 40 plus room Baroque castle is open to visitors to explore the State Gallery, apartments, and the Imperial Hall with its beautiful frescoed ceiling, which is quite spectacular.
Rose Garden
The Rosengarten is open and a must-see, symmetrically laid out with roses, statues and fountain. The panoramic views out over the town from this vantage point on the hill is a highlight and well worth the visit. A great photo spot I took full advantage of, where you can see St. Michael’s Church and the red roofs of the houses.
Waiting Stones
An interesting detail pointed out by our tour guide is the unfinished corner of the New Residence which was supposed to join onto another wing, but it was never built due to a lack of funds. The stone blocks were left as they were in preparation for the addition to create a symmetrical complex, and are now known as “the waiting stones”. They are still waiting 300 years later.
Faux Facade Paintwork
A fascinating feature of the rear facade which was pointed out by my tour guide is the illusion of cornices, window frames and shadows using a painting technique to make it look like real stonework and mouldings. This was a popular method used to conserve funds, which isn’t noticeable at first glance, until you pay close attention.
Old Court
The Old Palace (Alte Hofhaltung) is situated between the Cathedral and New Residence, and served as the first residence of the Bamberg prince-bishops as an Imperial Palace built in the 11th century.
The single storey palace features the classic half-timbered buildings, typical of medieval times in Germany, built in the 12th century. It no longer served the purpose as it was deemed too small, so the new residence was built opposite.
Currently, the old court is the Historical Museum.
Snazzy Trivia
The Old Court was a key filming location for the movie The Three Musketeers (2011) with Orlando Bloom.
Other Interesting Sites To See In Bamberg Old Town
A few other interesting sites to see include:
- Regnitz canal and wharf area called Am Kranen, has replica cranes, and the Old Slaughterhouse.
- Michaelsberg Abbey, the former Benedictine monastery and church of St. Michael, sits high on a hill, founded early 11th century by first Bishop of Bamberg, today part of it is used as a nursing home.
- Bibra Palace is a standout architectural landmark which belonged to the noble von Bibra family of 1700’s, today utilised as a commercial office.
- Villa Concordia, a Baroque water villa on the Regnitz River bank from 1700’s, now used as the International Artists’ House.
- Large bronze sculpture called Centurione, near Lower Bridge.
- Various street art and murals on historic buildings.
- Traditional hanging trade signs on buildings, a staple of German towns, provide beautiful streetscapes.
Snazzy Tips For Visiting Bamberg
- Nearest major large city is Nuremberg, about 40 minutes by train.
- Nearest Airport is Nuremberg (NUE).
- Get Eurail German pass for train travel around the country.
- Purchase the Bamberg Card to access museums and more.
- Book local transport online.
- Rent a car in Germany.
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One Comment
Bamberg looks absolutely charming! I love the mix of medieval architecture, riverside scenery, and the unique Old Town Hall. The famous smoked beer adds another fun local tradition to experience while exploring this beautiful Bavarian town.