City of Culture City of Beer City of Baroque City of Art www.bamberg.info world heritage Fascination – World Heritage Living history: Travel back through time! 2 The Old Town Hall standing proud in the River Regnitz. Emperor Heinrich II founds the Bi­ Unique artistic synthesis shopric of Bamberg in 1007. The city In the city centre, the history of becomes the centre of the Holy Ro­ architecture is all­pervading. In deed, man Empire of the German Nation. Bamberg can be described as a pic­ Come and enjoy this fascinating ture book of architectural styles. city, a city steeped in history and cul­ Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, ture, authentic to the core, vibrant Baroque and styles from the Modern and lively, romantic and enchanting, Age are all represented. A unique at­ impressive and sublime! mosphere fills the air of this enchan­ ting city with its narrow, winding World Heritage City since 1993 lanes and the parting waters of the Bamberg is blessed with one of River Regnitz. Europe’s largest intact old town cen­ tres. Endowed with a huge number Where culture comes alive of single monuments from a whole Today, this old imperial and millennium, Bamberg epitomises spiri tual centre is more vibrant than the idyllic image of a city whose ever. Bamberg is a growing hub of roots stem from the Middle Ages. The trade and commerce, an inspiring World Heritage site comprises three university town, endowed with a historical settlements: the episcopal rich cultural and a vibrant art scene. Experiencing City on the Hills characterised by im­ Combined with a plethora of renown­ posing architecture; the civic Island ed beers, culinary specialities and the World Heritage City City, the vibrant heart of trade and beauti ful landscapes in and around Discover Bamberg’s enthralling history and the commerce, and the Market Garden­ Bamberg, this World Heritage City fascination of this World Heritage City! ers’ District with its long tradition of offers its residents true quality of life. Our tip: Explore Bamberg at your own pace with our market gardening that still lives on PDA and “Bamberg itour Guide”! today. Rental & information from Tourist Information. www.bamberg.info The Bamberg Tour also comes as a “Bamberg iGuide” app – available online from itunes.apple. Milestones in Bamberg’s History 1007 Emperor Heinrich II 1047 Pope Clemens II. dies 1237 Rebuilt in 1185 after a fire, the establishes the Bi- and is interred in Cathedral is consecrated. shopric of Bamberg. Bamberg’s Cathedral The late Romanesque / early Bamberg becomes (only papal tomb Gothic edifice featuring the the centre of the north of the Alps). Bamberg Horseman is still Holy Roman Empire considered a highpoint in of the German German architecture. Nation. world heritage City on the Hills Franconia’s answer to Rome, built on seven hills 4 The spires of the Imperial Cathedral are imposing, dominating the skyline to this day. Enchanting squares, narrow lanes, Imperial Cathedral Baroque façades and a mediaeval This house of worship with its four spires is one of ambiance make Bamberg’s old town Germany’s most impressive examples of Late Roman­ so unique. esque – Early Gothic architecture. It accommodates the burial place of Pope Clemens II († 1047), the only papal Seven hills tomb north of the Alps. The first Cathedral, consecrated The topography of the city built in 1012, was an endowment from Emperor Heinrich II. on seven hills has lent it the nick­ The imperial tomb of ruler Heinrich and his consort Ku­ name “Franconian Rome”. The most nigunde, the Altar by Veit Stoß and the Bamberg Horse­ striking edifices – the Imperial Ca­ man are among the most prominent works of art inside thedral, the Baroque New Residence the Cathedral. Even to this day, the identities of both the and the Old Court – are all located Horseman and its sculptor remain a mystery. The Dio­ Discovering Bamberg on Cathedral Hill, the spiritual and cesan Museum is next to the Church and boasts some on Tourist Bus 910 temporal powerhouse of the Bish­ unique treasures. The city bus line 910 takes you from the Old opric of Bamberg from the 11th Town Hall, over Cathedral Square and up to century until 1802. The hills, the Old Court, New Residence and Rose Garden Michaelsberg, right through the heart of the imposing Altenburg Castle and the The Old Court with its “beautiful gateway” and the World Heritage City! Available from Tourist heaven­bound spires of the churches romantic inner courtyard framed by half­timbered build­ Information as a single ticket or as part of create a beautiful backdrop for this ings, form the heart of the once imperial and episcopal the BAMBERGcard! uniquely special town. palace. The 17th century New Residence lies opposite with its State Apartments and the unique Imperial Hall. City on the Hills The inner courtyard of the New Residence by architect Whereas the higher settlements Johann Leonhard Dientzenhofer reveals the enchanting are dominated by ecclesiastical build­ Rose Garden, based on plans by Balthasar Neumann. ings and institutions, the area below The Garden commands a breath­taking panoramic the Cathedral is home to the trades, view of St. Michael’s Monastery, the rooftops of the Old breweries and mostly bourgeois and Town and the surrounding countryside. sometimes palatial architecture. Milestones in Bamberg’s History 1386-1387 The first Town Hall 1489 The Bamberg 1595-1631 The witch hunt in the (Old Town Hall) is Purity Law for beer Bishopric of Bamberg built on an artificial is passed – 27 years continues until the death island in the River before the world- of Prince Bishop Johann Regnitz. famous Bavarian Georg II., Fox of Dorn- Purity Law. heim and takes many hundreds of lives. world heritage Island City The vibrant centre – a shopper’s paradise 6 The Old Town Hall with its Baroque frescoes and the medieval timber frame- work is one of Bamberg’s most famous landmarks. Today, the Island City is the pulsa­ Vibrant and lively ting heart of Bamberg, evolving from It is a real pleasure to shop at one’s leisure in this its civic roots. vibrant World Heritage City or to rest one’s tired feet in one of the many inviting street cafés. Bamberg has much The Bridge Town Hall to offer in the way of hospitality – from cosy, rustic, The Old Town Hall is quite a cu­ wood­panelled taverns to hip student bars, and from tra­ riosity. Legend has it that the Bish­ ditional Franconian to international haute cuisine. Many op of Bamberg refused to give the of Bamberg’s famous faces appreciated its inns, among townsfolk an inch of his land for the them, the Romantic all­round artist E.T.A. Hoffmann, construction of a town hall. In re­ who lived and worked here from 1808 to 1813. sponse, Bamberg’s citizens rammed In the centre, mainly in the pedestrian zone, several stakes into the River Regnitz and cre­ major events and traditional markets take place through­ ated an artificial island in the middle out the year, all of which are extremely popular. Enchanting of the river, upon which they built detail on the Ba- the first Town Hall, known today as roque façade of the the Old Town Hall. Of particular in­ Old Town Hall. terest are the Baroque frescoes on the façades. This beautiful building boasts the prestigious Rococo Hall and is home to the Ludwig Collec­ Shopping tips: tion Collection of faience and por­ The Island City is a paradise for shoppers! The wide choice of celain of the Baroque era. stores offers everything from luxury confectionary and ex- travagant accessories to edgy fashion and original objects for Little Venice the home. Art and antiques, from exquisite to affordable, are The former fishermen’s settlement in abundance in the antiques district, nestled between the along the left tributary has been af­ Cathedral and the Old Town Hall. In the summer months, the fectionately dubbed Little Venice. reputed Art & Antiques Weeks attract many visitors to the town. The idyllic row of mostly mediaeval www.bamberg.info/shoppen houses prop each other up along the river shore, creating a romantic en­ www.bamberger-antiquitaeten.de semble. Milestones in Bamberg’s History 1693-1746 Bamberg goes 1802 The Bishopric of 1808-1813 E.T.A. Hoffman, the fa- Bar oque under the Bamberg now be- mous all-round Romantic Prince Bishops Lothar longs to Bavaria. artist, lives and works in Franz and later Bamberg. Friedrich Karl von Schönborn. world heritage Market Gardeners’ District Centuries-old structures original in character 8 A clearly signposted trail takes visitors through the heart of the Market Gardeners’ District. A host of images and accounts of the market gardeners’ and wine growers’ traditions and cus- toms provide fascinating insights into this part of the World Heritage City. The extensive cropland and ty­ by epicures; Bamberg’s garlic is a unique variety, whilst The “Market Gardeners’ Tour” pical market gardeners’ homes are its onions, herbs, savoy cabbage and horseradish are provides fascinating insights: the a truly unique urban feature – right among the district’s main crops. Even the liquorice root, viewing platform in Heiliggrab- in the heart of the World Heritage which has a centuries­old tradition in the town, is being straße commands a wonderful City. These fields have been used cultivated again. view of the district! to grow vegetables ever since the Middle Ages. Fresh vegetables are The World Heritage gardeners still cultivated in close proximity Today, around two dozen families tend the histori­ to the splendour of mediaeval and cal fields in this urban landscape. Their produce can be Baroque architecture.