Day 9 - Bamburg

 September 26, 2024

Bamberg is a town in Upper Franconia district in northern Bavaria, Germany, laid out over 7 hills where the Regnitz and Main rivers meet. The town dates back to the 9th century, and is cited as one of Germany's most beautiful towns, with medieval streets and buildings, the old town of Bamberg with around 2,400 timber houses and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993.

Emperor Henry 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. After burning twice, the third construction contains elements of the late romanesque and early gothic periods. The highlights include the tomb of the holy imperial couple Kunigunde and Heinrich II., created by Tilmann Riemenschneider, the "Bamberg Horseman" who is shrouded in mystery, the altar by Veit Stoß and the papal tomb of Clemens II.

The old palace (Alte Hofhaltung) was built in 1591 on the site of an old residence of the counts of Bamburg.

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 ram stakes into the river Regnitz to create an artificial island, on which they built the town hall they so badly wanted.

The Old Town Hall's frescoes are stunning as they lend the facades a three-dimensional quality achieved with trompe d'oeil architecture. A special detail is the leg of a cherub protrudes out of the wall just below the office of the Mayor to indicate Transparency in government. 

Currently having a population of 80,000, Bamburg has done an amazing job of reconstruction and preservation of its historic structures despite the extensive bombing in WWII.