The iconic Bamberg landmark. The Old Town Hall in Bamberg is one of the most important buildings…read morethat characterize the historic city center. It is located between the mountain and island town in the left Regnitz arm. This location "... marks the old rule border between the episcopal mountain town and the bourgeois island town and clearly shows the power striving of the Bamberg bourgeoisie." You see, the bishop of Bamberg did not want to give any of his land to the citizens for the construction of a town hall. Therefore, the crafty citizens struck stakes in the Regnitz and thus created an artificial island on which they built their town hall. The Regnitz marks the old rule border between the episcopal mountain and the bourgeois island town. The town hall was mentioned for the first time in 1387 and was rebuilt between 1461 and 1467, so that it took on the shape it is today. At this stage of construction, it was mainly influenced by the Gothic. Johann Jakob Michael Küchel redesigned the town hall between 1744 and 1756 in the Baroque and Rococo styles. Worth mentioning are the façade paintings originally created by Johann Anwander in 1755, which have been restored many times. After not much of these paintings could be seen in the 1950s, the painter Anton Greiner repainted between 1959 and 1962. Both sides of the building are completely decorated with simulated allegorical scenes and architectural details, the typical illusion painting of this time. Small, actually figurative elements on the eastern side reinforce the spatial impression. The Rococo balconies and coat of arms reliefs come from Jos. Bonaventure Mutschele. The half-timbered house attached to the bridge tower, the Rottmeister's house, served as accommodation for the leaders of the guards. You cannot miss this structure when/if you are in Bamberg. It's a must-visit place along with Bamberger Dom and Neue Residenz.

Mitten über dem linken Arm der Regnitz thront das opulente "Alte Rathaus" Bambergs. Das von der…read moreGotik beeinflusste Gebäude entstand zwischen 1461 und 1467 und wurde im 18. Jahrhundert im Barockstil umgestaltet. Die schönen Malereien auf der Fassade stammen ursprünglich von Johann Anwander, mussten aber 1959-62 von Anton Greiner komplett neu gestaltet werden, weil die Originale verblichen waren. Auch die Neubemalung verblasst langsam. Die Brücke führt direkt durch das Rathaus, man gelangt hier in die eigentliche Altstadt. Architektonisch bemerkenswert ist das "Rottmeisterhäuschen", ein Fachwerkanbau auf der Seite, der fast so wirkt, als strecke das Rathaus seinen Hintern in Richtung Fluss aus. Es war ursprünglich ein Anbau für die Wachsoldaten. Dass Rathaus beherbergt ein wichtiges Museum, die Sammlung Ludwig: Es war die größte private Porzellansammlung in ganz Europa und wurde von den Erben der Stadt Bamberg hinterlassen.

The art part of the museum was not that impressive to me, but the 3rd floor intro he residence and…read morerooms was amazing and worth the visit.

The so-called "New Residence" was home to the Prince-Bishops of Bamberg for 200 years after it's…read morefoundation in 1602. The original was built in the Renaissance style, but between 1693 and 1703 Prince-Bishop Lothar Franz von Schönborn had it extended in the Baroque style, and had the original updated to match. Both sets of state rooms can be seen by guided tour only: these are provided regularly in German and less frequently in English. The interiors betray the opulence in which the Prince-Bishops expected to live, and the state rooms for entertaining the Emperor (who in fact never visited) are particularly impressive, with fabulous frescoes and extensive tapestries. The palace holds an extensive collection of art, including a set of views of Venice by Canaletto. Well worth the visit.

A gorgeous Benedictine monastery located on a hill in Bamberg. After its dissolution in 1803 the…read morebuildings were used for the almshouse Vereinigte Katharinen- und Elisabethen-Spital, which is still there as an old people's home. The former abbey church remains in use as the Michaelskirche. One of oldest mentions of brewing in Bamberg comes from a 1122 proclamation by Bishop Otto I of Bamberg granting the Benedictines of Michaelsberg the right to brew beer for sale. Although this does not exist anymore it is a big part of the history of Bamberg. Unfortunately it was closed for cleaning so we could not have a good look around. There is a restaurant / Biergarten up top and the views from up here are spectacular. A must visit in Bamberg. They sell some great beer and schnapps here. The shop was closed and we were unable to try anything or buy :-( A fried of ours had bought some beer from here in the past and I loved it.