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Town of Bamberg

Bamberg, Germany
18.06.2018

Altstadt von Bamberg, or the Old Town of Bamberg, is a charming and picturesque historic district located in the city of Bamberg, Germany. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a must-visit for anyone interested in history, architecture, and culture.

The Altstadt is situated on seven hills, giving it a unique and scenic layout. It is also known as the "Franconian Rome" due to its stunning churches and the River Regnitz that flows through it, resembling the Tiber River in Rome.

The Old Town is home to over 2,400 beautifully preserved buildings, dating back to the 11th century. These buildings showcase a mix of architectural styles, including Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque, making it a paradise for architecture enthusiasts.

One of the main attractions in the Altstadt is the Bamberg Cathedral, a magnificent Romanesque cathedral that dominates the city's skyline. Visitors can also explore the Old Town Hall, a unique building built on an artificial island in the middle of the Regnitz River. Its colorful façade and intricate details make it a popular spot for photos.

Aside from its architectural wonders, the Altstadt also boasts a vibrant cultural scene. It is home to numerous museums, galleries, and theaters, showcasing the city's rich history and artistic heritage. The area also hosts several festivals throughout the year, including the Sandkerwa festival, where visitors can experience traditional Bavarian food, music, and culture.

For those looking to indulge in some retail therapy, the Altstadt has a variety of shops and boutiques selling local handicrafts, souvenirs, and delicious treats like the famous Bamberg smoked beer.

With its charming cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, and unique architecture, the Altstadt von Bamberg is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Germany. It offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and modern-day charm, making it a truly unforgettable experience for all who visit.


From the 10th century onwards, this town became an important link with the Slav peoples, especially those of Poland and Pomerania. During its period of greatest prosperity, from the 12th century onwards, the architecture of Bamberg strongly influenced northern Germany and Hungary. In the late 18th century it was the centre of the Enlightenment in southern Germany, with eminent philosophers and writers such as Hegel and Hoffmann living there.

Bamberg (, US also , German: [ˈbambɛʁk] ; East Franconian: Bambärch) is a town in Upper Franconia district in Bavaria, Germany, on the river Regnitz close to its confluence with the river Main. Bamberg had 79,000 inhabitants in 2022. The town dates back to the 9th century, when its name was derived from the nearby Babenberch castle. Cited as one of Germany's most beautiful towns, with medieval streets and buildings, the old town of Bamberg has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993.From the 10th century onwards, Bamberg became a key link with the Slav peoples, notably those of Poland and Pomerania. It experienced a period of great prosperity from the 12th century onwards, during which time it was briefly the centre of the Holy Roman Empire. Emperor Henry II was buried in the old town, alongside his wife Kunigunde. The town's architecture from this period strongly influenced that in Northern Germany and Hungary. From the middle of the 13th century onwards, the bishops were princes of the Empire and ruled Bamberg, overseeing the construction of monumental buildings. This growth was complemented by the obtaining of large portions of the estates of the Counts of Meran in 1248 and 1260 by the sea, partly through purchase and partly through the appropriation of extinguished fiefs.

Bamberg lost its independence in 1802, following the secularization of church lands, becoming part of Bavaria in 1803. The town was first connected to the German rail system in 1844, which has been an important part of its infrastructure ever since. After a communist uprising took control over Bavaria in the years following World War I, the state government fled to Bamberg and stayed there for almost two years before the Bavarian capital of Munich was retaken by Freikorps units (see Bavarian Soviet Republic). The first republican constitution of Bavaria was passed in Bamberg, becoming known as the Bamberger Verfassung (Bamberg Constitution).

Following the Second World War, Bamberg was an important base for the Bavarian, German, and then American military stationed at Warner Barracks, until closing in 2014.

wikipedia.org