In northern Bavaria in southern Germany is the world heritage city of Bamberg. Bamberg is a city for which our hearts burn a little extra. A city where parts of our family have their roots. Here in the old medieval alleys, parts of the family have probably fallen and got scrapes on their knees. Or maybe even stuck with a heel on the cobblestones on the way to a dance. It simply feels a little extra in the pit of the heart when you are here.
Bamberg has one of the best-preserved medieval city centers in Germany and miraculously escaped WWII aerial bombing. Thanks to that, the cobblestones can still tell us today about when King Henry II founded the city in the 2th century and had high-flying plans to make Bamberg the new Rome. The orange roofs and countless stone bridges have been carefully cared for over the years and it is no wonder that Bamberg often ends up on top lists of Germany's most charming cities.
Bamberg's is called the "City on seven hills" because of the seven churches that stand proudly on each hill, but the city could almost as well have been called "the city with the seven breweries". Because Bamberg is the capital of beer, with more breweries than most cities. Head to Sandstraße in the central parts of the city to try the famous smoked beer – Rauchbier – which tastes like you're drinking smoked bacon. Good, but maybe not something you drink too many sips of.
In the city center there are over 1000 protected historic houses, so car traffic is partially prohibited and there are not many parking spaces in the central city. Add to that lots of one-way streets, and you quickly realize that Bamberg is not a car town. If you book a hotel in the city center, make sure there is parking!
The old town hall
The most famous sight in Bamberg is undoubtedly the old town hall, depicted on everything from puzzles to guidebooks. The town hall is located in the middle of the river Regnitz, surrounded by rapid eddies in all directions. The walls are covered with the most detailed paintings in 3D and the paintings also have a completely unexpected detail that you don't see until you look really closely. Not everything on the walls is painted in 3D…
Little Venice
Little Venice is an area of half-timbered houses along the river Regnitz that was previously only allowed to be owned by the town's fishermen. It is incredibly colourful, charming and well preserved.
Old Town
Wandering through the old districts is a big part of Bamberg's charm. Breweries, biergartens, hanging geraniums and slanted half-timbered houses. It's amazing that this city survived the war in such good condition!
The new residence's rose garden
Up on one of Bamberg's hills is the new residence and a splendid rose garden. If you visit the park during the summer months, you will find your way to the garden through the lovely scent of roses wafting over the walls. The view from the garden over the rooftops of Bamberg is worth the visit alone.
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