Bamberg - the beautiful precious gem among German towns. Paul Pörtner, German novelist and playwright, declared his love to her: „In short: the most perfect example of a town, that still exists in the present day. And countryside, which God Himself created in a happy moment and, as it were, prepared for the site of a town.“
Bamberg, like Rome, is built on seven hills and was chosen by Emperor Henry II as the capital of his empire. He founded the bishopric of Bamberg in 1007, and laid the foundation of a magnificent medieval town. Several centuries later, a prince bishop “modernised” Bamberg and brought most people to cover up the medieval half timbered framework with state-of-the-art stone facades in baroque apearance, thus turning it into a unique example of a baroque city, full of lavish splendour and playful decorative elements. Bamberg survived all the wars of the past centuries largely untouched and can be experienced as it was centuries ago. A work of art itself, Bamberg harbours world-famous art-treasures and architectural highlights of all centuries since the middle ages.How can Bamberg’s fascination and importance be described? We could list many examples. Cathedral Square, which leaves visitors speechless with its caleidoscope of European architectural styles through the centuries , the smile of St. Kunigunde and the Old Town Hall, like a ship at anchor in the middle of the River Regnitz. The narrow alleys which wind through the old part of town, the wonderful views from the hills over the roofs of patrician houses, churches and palaces. Dietzenhofer’s New Residence, the former fishermens’ quarter of „Little Venice“ and the Altenburg castle high above the city.
Bamberg is fertile ground for the fine arts. Here, E.T.A. Hoffmann matured to a poet of recognition. Today the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra, which emerged from the former German Philharmonic Orchestra in Prague, is one of the top European orchestras. At the same time it is good to know that you can find the following in Bamberg, too: summer festivals and fairs, 10 family-run breweries on city grounds and the infamous smoke beer, beer gardens and brewery inns galore, antique’s shops and quaint little corners just waiting to be discovered. This „grand old lady“ called Bamberg seems to know the secret of eternal youth. Ungrudgingly, she shares it with her visitors.
