 The charm of this a thousand-year-old city of emperors and bishops results from its harmonious location within the surrounding countryside. The old part of the town is generally recognized as an architectural work of art which ranks among the best in Europe. Among others there is first of all its well-known cathedral with the famous statue of the Bamberg Horseman, the New Residence of the medieval archbishops, the Rose Garden from where one can enjoy a wonderful view of the Monastery of St. Michael, the Imperial Old Court and the Old Town Hall in the middle of the River Regnitz. Further down the river Little Venice, a former fishermen’s quarter, can be found with its picturesque timber-framed houses. Bamberg was turned into a city of the Baroque in the 17th century without losing its medieval structure. The best architects of the period, Balthasar Neumann, the Dientzenhofers, Küchel, to mention only a few, left their traces in Bamberg which was fortunate to have survived all major wars with only minor damages. On December 12, 1993, the Old Town with its ensemble of monuments and a size of about 200 ha (= 580 acres) was declared a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO. The city of Bamberg is by no means a museum of stones; its about 70.000 inhabitants make it the biggest town in the district of Upper Franconia, a town that is full of life and the economic and cultural centre of the region. Its reputation as a city of art and culture results to a large extent from the fame of the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra, now State Philharmonic Orchestra. Since 1998 the International Artists' House of Villa Concordia gives a strong input in contemporary and modern arts. Bamberg’s E.T.A.-Hoffmann-Theatre must be mentioned as another cultural gem of the city. Its name is derived from the great romantic poet E.T.A. Hoffmann, who lived and worked here as director of music and stage designer from 1808 until 1813. The Calderón Festival which takes place in the Old Imperial Court in June and July attracts thousands of theatre goers every year. 14 museums add to Bamberg’s reputation as a city of culture. The most famous among them undoubtedly is the Diocesan Museum, where among other precious exhibits the Blue Coat of Stars of Emperor Henry II (11th century) can be admired. Furthermore there is the Historical Museum, the Ludwig Collection of Baroque Porcelain and Faience and the New Residence where changing collections of paintings are presented. Others that deserve to be mentioned are the house of E.T.A. Hoffmann, the Franconian Brewery Museum in the vaults of the former Benedictine Monastery of St. Michael, the Museum of Horticulture and Viticulture as well as the Museum of Natural History. Needless to say that there are a number of private art galleries, the State and the Town Archive, the University Library and the State Library. The various local delights and the famous “smoke beer” – one of more than 50 different types of beer brewed in Bamberg - make Bamberg a perfect destination for people interested in local food and drink. By the way: Bamberg still has nine breweries, each one has its own traditional brewery pub, in town and about 70 in the region. A fact which makes it the region with the highest concentration of breweries (and beers) worldwide. Bamberg is full of life and well-known as a city for cultural highlights as well as for its festivals. Bamberg is a fascinating city which is worth to be discovered. Choose your favourite event to make your stay a unique experience! |
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A perfect work of art of European rank presents itself | |
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