The pulsating heart
The Island District has always been the middle-class centre of Bamberg. This is still very much the case today with the pedestrian zone and its many shops. However, window shopping is not the only pastime the enchanting old half-timbered buildings have to offer. The restaurant trade is also well established here. The spectrum extends from trendy bars to "haute cuisine". The Island District is always full of life; it is home not only to most of the faculties of the Otto Friedrich University of Bamberg but also to many residents. Among the most striking sights are the "Old Town Hall" in the middle of the River Regnitz and the former Fishermen's settlement known as "Little Venice".
Museums on Cathedral Hill
Five institutions of international acclaim are based on Cathedral Hill - already a sight in itself - all within walking distance of each other. They harbour an abundance of treasures and exhibits you shouldn't miss. Bamberg’s Diocesan Museum emerged from Bamberg’s Cathedral Treasury. Its ...
The World Heritage Visitor Centre
Located in the heart of the city, Bamberg's World Heritage Visitor Centre displays Bamberg's outstanding universal value and serves as an interpretation aid for the World Heritage site. Embedded in the international UNESCO context the special features of the World Heritage site “Town of ...
Old Court
The Old Court ranks among the most impressive buildings in the city. The complex once served as the bishop's residence. The precursor to the Old Court was the Castrum Babenberg and the former palace of Emperor Heinrich II. After the foundation of the bishopric in 1007, it was also used as the ...
Old Town Hall
The Old Town Hall in Bamberg is quite a curiosity: The frescoes that adorn the facades are as amazing as the story behind the building's construction. According to legend the bishop of Bamberg did not grant the citizens any land for the construction of a town hall. This prompted the townsfolk to ...
Natural History Museum
The major highlight of Bamberg’s natural history museum are the nature cabinets dating back to the times of prince-bishop Franz Ludwig von Erthal in the Age of Enlightenment. Effectively this ornithological hall, with its classical furnishings and the outstanding collection of stuffed animals ...
Diocesan Museum
Emperor Heinrich II and his consort Kunigunde embellished the diocese they founded with valuable liturgical items, relics, paraments and books. In the course of the centuries, these treasures were extended by donations, but were also decimated several times. Many works of art were lost to ...
Cathedral
St. Peter's and St. George's Imperial Cathedral is one of Emperor Heinrich II's legacies. It contains numerous impressive sights. Emperor Heinrich II. had the Cathedral constructed in Bamberg as early as 1002 and it was completed in 1012 after a building period of just ten years. However, this ...
Cathedral Square
One of the most impressive squares, featuring architectural styles from all periods, the Old Court, the New Residence and the Rose Garden The Imperial Cathedral with four spires is perched on top of one of Bamberg's seven hills and forms the heart of the city and the region's most significant ...
ETA Hoffmann Theatre
Many awards are proof enough: The ETA Hoffmann Theatre stands out. The repertoire is always varied and sometimes daring, featuring everything from classical to modern, from readings to musical theatre. In 1802, a Prussian envoy and theatre lover had the buildings on Schillerplatz converted into ...
The Market Gardeners' and Wine-Growers' Museum
The working life of the market gardeners and wine-growers is revealed at the Market Gardeners' and Wine-Growers Museum. Set in a typical 19th century market gardeners' house, the museum comprises the furnished rooms of the market gardeners, and the flags and staffs of the market gardeners' and ...
Museum of History
The museum boasts a large number of valuable exhibits. The extensive collections bear witness to the culture and history of this World Heritage City from pre-history right through to the 21st century. Besides the art gallery, the museum also hosts an permanent exhibition called “In the Flow ...
St. Michael's Monastery
On the initiative of Emperor Heinrich II., the former Benedictine monastery of St. Michael was founded in 1015. Today its imposing baroque style architecture cannot fail to impress. As early as 1117 the first church was destroyed by an earthquake. Bishop Otto then had a romanesque house of ...