Ranking among the most outstanding buildings are the late romanesque/early gothic imperial cathedral, featuring the world-famous Bamberg Horseman, and the Old Bridge Town Hall. Bamberg also offers many other leisure activities and things to do. Find out more about the many sights or create your own sightseeing tour to make your stay in Bamberg truly unforgettable!
Bamberg's sights
There is so much to discover in and around Bamberg: Numerous buildings full of mediaeval charm mixed in with baroque architecture, culture, music, cafés, pubs and all sorts of experiences are all part of this unique ensemble of an old town. Bamberg County offers the chance to follow up the cultural experience with active holidays, great places to visit and excursions and brew pubs galore.
Bamberg's sights
Bamberg county
Even outside of Bamberg, you will be surprised by the great variety of things to do and see. Bamberg county has so much to offer, why not give it a try and visit castles and palaces, churches and monasteries, museums, baths, traditional fairs and events, beautiful village streets and, of course, pure, unspoilt nature. It's a paradise for hiking and cycling, to discover cultural highlights and there's always a freshly tapped beer at hand, as one of the 60 local breweries is never far away.
Tourism Regions
Bamberg is surrounded by four touristic regions, all unique and different, but based on the same traditions and connected through history and the Franconian character of its people, nature and lingo.
Steigerwald Forest Treetop Path
Treetop Canopy Pathway Experience the forest and its trees from a completely different perspective, high up in the treetops. The wooden pathway takes you right to the top of the beech wood forest of the Steigerwald near Ebrach along a 1.15 kilometre long path. Highlight is the tower with its ...
Lisberg castle
Lisberg castle is one of the oldest castles in the Steigerwald Lisberg castle - one of the oldest castles in Franconia – was first mentioned in an historical document in 820. Being in possession of the Babenberger family – earls of the region – it has been used as a sanctuary for the ...
Giechburg castle
Two historical buildings are important visitor attractions near the city of Schesslitz: Giechburg castle and the chapel of St. Pankratius on Guegel hill. Driving by car from Bamberg to Bayreuth you will notice two historical buildings near the city of Schesslitz: Giechburg castle and the chapel ...
Ebrach Abbey
The former Cistercian monastery in Ebrach is a famous and popular destination. Having a wonderful and unique rose window, the Gothic church is one of the region’s great highlights, along with its Baroque monastic buildings. Ebrach was probably the most important front post for the cultural ...
Weissenstein Castle in Pommersfelden
Weissenstein Castle in Pommersfelden is a prestigious example of Franconian Baroque architecture. Its portrait galleries, fully furnished interior and impressive architecture attracts many visitors to Pommersfelden every year. Weissenstein castle in Pommersfelden is one of Germany’s greatest ...
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 ...
Altenburg Castle
Altenburg castle is perched on top of Bamberg's highest hill and is one of Bamberg's major landmarks. The castle was first mentioned in 1109 and was used at this time as a refuge. In the 14th and 15th centuries it served as a richly furnished residence for Bamberg's bishops, but was almost ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
Monastery gardens of St. Michael’s
The gardens of St. Michael’s, a former Benedictine monastery, invite visitors to linger and amble about or enjoy a cup of coffee in the café. A lovely walk is the “Benedictine path” traversing the former baroque gardens. One of the projects of Bamberg’s 2012 Bavarian gardening show is ...
New Residence, Bamberg
The New Residence with its splendid rooms and lavish furnishings is an impressive reflection of the prince-bishops' life. The state gallery contains a significant collection of old German and baroque paintings. Until 1802 the New Residence served as the seat of Bamberg's prince bishops. The more ...
Rose Garden
The Rose Garden in the inner court of the New Residence is not only filled with a sea of fragrant flowers but it also reveals a beautiful view of Michaelsberg and the Old Town. Prince-bishop Friedrich Karl von Schönborn had the garden designed by Balthasar Neumann. The symmetrically arranged ...
Lock no. 100
Last of the locks of the old Ludwig-Main-Danube-Canal, built between 1836 and 1845. It connected the Danube near Kehlheim with the River Main just outside of Bamberg. Over the course of these 172 km ships had to pass 100 locks, surpassing around 200 metres of elevation, and needed to be towed ...
Seehof Palace near Memmelsdorf
Seehof palace near Memmelsdorf was built in 1686 as summer residence for the Bamberg prince bishops and impresses its visitors with the beautiful park and its cascades. Seehof palace in Memmelsdorf is often called Marquardsburg after its builder Marquard Schenk von Stauffenberg. The Prince ...
„Anxious moon“ by Rui Chafes
This sculpture by the Portuguese sculptor Rui Chafes seems to hover above the waterline of the River Regnitz. Made of steel it is fixed to a tree that has its branches hanging over the waters of the river and surprises visitors on a stroll through Bamberg’s big city park, the “Hain”. The ...
„Air-Earth“ by Jaume Plensa
This luminous sculpture from the Catalan artist Jaume Plensa is called „Air-Earth“. It was erected in the middle of the historic mill quarter in 2012, going back to an exhibition of eight of these sculptures „EIGHT POETS“ located all over town in that year. The figure changes its colour ...
"Anchor figure 2002" by Bernhard Luginbühl
The sculpture by Swiss artist Bernhard Luginbühl deals with civilisation and the environment and is made of disused objects. After an exhibition in 2004, the sculpture was acquired by the Friends of the International Artists' House Villa Concordia e.V. with the support of the ...
“Apoll” by Markus Lüpertz
The disputed German artist Markus Lüpertz often alludes to the great archaic motives of the classic era. Apoll is one of them and shows the Roman god in a very different light. Its final location near the little church St. Elisabeth, was proposed by the artist himself. The sculpture is set on a ...
Studio Bernd Wagenhäuser
Artist Bernd Wagenhäuser presents his work in his new arts loft in the middle of Bamberg. On 200 sqm this new exhibition hall enables him to show some of his smaller works, models, graphic art and installations and sketches, even though he is well known especially for his large Cor-Ten Steel ...
Viewpoint: Friesener Warte
Large hilltop with airfield, offering a great view of Bamberg County Friesener Warte is an exposed hilltop offering a wonderful view of the Regnitz valley and the Steigerwald nature park at a height of 562 metres. Early settlements were found here. There is an airfield and glider pilots rise ...
Viewpoint: Kraiberg hill near Baunach
View of the Main River Valley At 320 metres Kraiberg hill offers a great view of the upper Main Valley and of Bamberg county.
The Leaning Observation Tower of Bamberg
The leaning tower offers an unusual panoramic view of Bamberg’s market gardeners’ district Located in the meadows of Böhmerwiese nursery in Heiliggrabstraße this tower was erected when Bamberg hosted the Bavarian Horticultural Show in 2012 and now belongs to the UNESCO model project ...
Benedictine Way
The cultivated garden of the former monastery is the ideal place to while away the hours. A lovely walk along the "Benedictine Way" leads through the former baroque gardens, to some lovely fountains and along the new vineyard.
City on the hills
Narrow lanes, baroque and romantic facades, mediaeval flair and the magic of the centuries make Bamberg what it is today. The seven hills Bamberg's nicknames - the "Seven Hill City" or "Franconian Rome" - refer to the part of the city situated on the hills. Cathedral Hill was the spiritual and ...
Bible gardens of St. Michael’s
A small garden within the walls of the former Benedictine Monastery of St. Michael’s shows a total of 49 plants mentioned in the bible. Each plant bears an annotation on the biblical context, the symbolism behind the plant and its medicinal effects. One patch shows selected plants also ...
Böttinger House
In 1707-1713 court counsellor Ignaz Tobias Böttinger had the baroque palace built like the Italian Palazzi. The interior contains a richly embellished court and a terraced garden. Today, the building is privately owned.
Stigma - Memorial for the victims of the 17. century witch hunt
The installation and sculpture was erected in memory of all the victims of the prosecutions and executions of at least 1.000 innocent men and women, and even children, who were accused of witchcraft, tortured and executed in 17. century Bamberg.
Castle Information Centre Haßberge Mountains
Discover the castle ruins of Altenstein Castle and the attached Castle Information Centre and experience the life and times of knights and noblemen, paupers and farmers in this exhibition in an original setting of a medieval castle.
Capella Antiqua Bambergensis in Wernsdorf Palace
The former prince-bishop's hunting palace in Wernsdorf forms the perfect backdrop for the concerts staged by Capella Antiqua At the gateway to Bamberg, Wernsdorf Palace is situated in the village of the same name on the edge of Franconian Switzerland. The former prince bishop's hunting palace ...
"Centurione I" by Igor Mitoraj
Bronze statue by Polish born sculptor Igor Mitoraj who works in Paris and Pietrasanta (Italy). The artist's heads, torsos and figures are reminiscent of the classical beauty of antiquity, but break away from it with intentional damage to each work of art. The sculpture was acquired by the ...
Bamberg's way of the cross
This is Germany's oldest, fully preserved way of the cross. Donated by Heinrich Marschalk von Raueneck in 1503 this „via dolorosa“ leads visitors and pilgrims from Bamberg's St. Elisabeth church up Michaelsberg Hill to the church of St. Getreu. Its donator wanted to enable the people to ...
ERBA site - former area of the flower show 2012
In 2012 Bamberg was host for the Bavarian Garden Show The so called ERBA site was the location of Bamberg's Bavarian Garden Show in 2012. More than 1 million visitors came to see the flowers and gardens and a fantastic conversion of a former industrial site to a completely new park at the ...
Market Gardeners' District
Market gardeners' and wine-growers district, traditional agricultural area in the heart of the town
The Miracle Sphere "Wunderkugel"
An arts project in the Wunderburg District of Bamberg The artist called on citizens from the Wunderburg district of Bamberg to donate scrap metal with a personal history for the art project. Only scrap metal objects that were donated from the locals were welded to form the sphere. All the added ...
Erlöserkirche church
The Erlöserkirche – Church of the Redeemer – was built in 1934 by Professor German Bestelmeyer and was the first protestant church originally built as a protestant church in Bamberg. Erlöserkirche church is also Bamberg’s first and so far only cyclists’ church, being directly on the ...
E.T.A. Hoffmann's House (closed for renovation)
E.T.A. Hoffmann lived in the narrow house on Schillerplatz in 1809/1813. He occupied the second floor and loft with the poet's little room which is still furnished as it might have been in Hoffmann's day. The other rooms are filled with information and displays as well as installations on the ...
Statue of Saint Sebastian
The group of figures depicting the martyrdom of Saint Sebastian was donated by Martin Mutschele in 1780 and was dedicated as a thank-offering for the safe return of Mutschele’s brother, the court sculptor Bonaventura Joseph Mutschele, who had been to Moscow during the plague of 1771.
Friedlein´s fountain (Friedleinsbrunnen) near Priesendorf
Take a rest at Friedlein´s fountain Idyllic Friedlein´s fountain, near Priesendorf, was frequently visited by Charlotte von Kalb, poet and a friend of Goethe's
"Large sculpture 1982" von Joannis Avramidis
Abstract bronze sculpture by the Greek-born artist Joannis Avramidis. After an exhibition, the sculpture was acquired by the Friends of the International Artists' House Villa Concordia e.V. with the support of the Oberfrankenstiftung and private donors.
Grüner Markt (Green Market)
The pedestrian zone of Bamberg begins at the Green Market (Grüner Markt). With its many stalls selling fruit and vegetables from the region and afar from Monday to Saturday, the many shops and cafés, and the fountain called Gabelman (local lingo for Neptune, the “man with the fork”) it is ...
Chapel of the Holy Blood in Burgwindheim (Heilig-Blut-Kapelle)
Important pilgrimage church in the Steigerwald nature park The pilgrimage chapel of the Holy Blood was built from 1594 to 1597. Close by is the Holy-Blood fountain where a spring was discovered in 1626. A lavatorium was built by Leonhard Dienzenhofer in 1730
The Island City
The Island City is the old "bourgeois" merchant city and is now Bamberg's centre. In the pedestrian zone and beyond, we find what has become a rare retail landscape which is characterised by small, privately run stores in historical buildings, beautiful shops for browsing and, of course, an ...
International Artists' House Villa Concordia
Just three years after completing Böttinger House, Ignaz Tobias Böttinger commissioned architect Johann Dientzenhofer to construct the baroque water palace Concordia. Today, the building accommodates the International Artists' House Villa Concordia. The most impressive view of the building can ...
The chapel of St. Pankratius on Guegel hill
Two historical buildings are important visitor attractions near the city of Schesslitz: Giechburg castle and the chapel of St. Pankratius on Guegel hill. Driving by car from Bamberg to Bayreuth you will notice two historical buildings near the city of Schesslitz: Giechburg castle and the chapel ...
Senftenberg Chapel
St. George Chapel on Senftenberg hill near Gunzendorf The chapel lies in the middle of a wonderful landscape and offers a great view of the surrounding area. Also worth visiting is the way of the cross leading up Senftenberg hill from the south. There is a famous pilgrimage on horseback ...
Carmelite monastery
The monastery was founded in the 12th century and turned into a baroque style building by Leonhard Dientzenhofer in 1692-1701. Behind the monastery's baroque facade is a late romanesque cloister dating from the 13th century. While the church is still open to the public most of the times, the ...
Little Venice
The former fishermen's district in Bamberg's Island City is endearingly known as Little Venice. This district is characterised by half-timbered buildings that prop each other up and by tiny, pretty gardens. The half-timbered buildings were mainly built in the Middle Ages. They are squashed ...
Kirchschletten Monastery
Monastery of Benedictine Nuns First mentioned in 1143 the monastery started as a feudal farm and belonged to the aristocracy until 1856. It became part of the monastery Niederalteich in 1917. There is an organic farm, a guest house and a candle manufacture on the grounds of the monastery.
Contemplative art trail & nature trails in Franconian Tuscany
Looking for art and enjoyment in the middle of nature? Then you have made the right choice to venture down the Franconian sculpture trail. Looking for art and enjoyment in the middle of nature? Then you have made the right choice to venture down the Franconian sculpture trail.
Bamberg’s Art Association
Bamberg’s Art Association was founded on December 12th, 1823 and is therefore one of Germany’s oldest institutions of this kind. Its main goal is to promote and present contemporary art. Exhibitions of paintings, graphic art, sculptures, photography, installations and performances make up ...
"kunstwerk10“ (Work of art 10)
Ten iron columns, each four metres high, encased in Cor-Ten steel, placed at various locations in Bamberg – that is the "kunstwerk10" project. With the art installations created by Bamberg artist Bernd Wagenhäuser, the "kunstwerk10" association aims to commemorate the once flourishing Jewish ...
„Slow dream“ by Rui Chafes
This steel sculpture by the Portuguese sculptor Rui Chafes stood in front of the old town hall on the Upper Bridge during the exhibition in 2018 and seemed to interact with the playful Baroque ornamentation of the town hall. It is now situated on a small square in front of the restaurant ...
"Lady with fruit" by Fernando Botero
Bronze sculpture created by the Columbian artist Fernando Botero. In 1998, it was bought by the town of Bamberg and was the first statue on the sculpture trail.
Stained-glass windows by Markus Lüpertz in St. Elisabeth
8 stained-glass windows depict scenes from the life and times of Holy Elisabeth in combination with the seven works of mercy. The famous German contemporary artist Markus Lüpertz designed eight stained-glass windows for the small parish church of St. Elisabeth in Bamberg's Sand district. Within ...
Magdalen Chapel Baunach
Late gothic Magdalen chapel in Baunach Built in 1430 the late gothic chapel was endowed with a rich interior. It was restorated in 1985 and is on the Way of St. James
Memorial for Resistance and Civil Courage
Situated centrally in town between the E.T.A.-Hoffmann Square and the Gardens of Harmony This memorial commemorates three outstanding personalities of the German resistance movement and local personalities involved in resistance to the Nazi Regime: Willy Aron, Hans Wölfel and Claus Schenk Graf ...
Church of Our Lady
The church, which is called "Upper Parish" by the locals, is Bamberg's only purely gothic church. The simple nave was added 50 years after the late gothic choir whose foundations date from 1375 and the upper choir which is supported by flying buttresses. The wedding portal is a striking feature ...