Bamberg Old Town

A centre of imperial and episcopal power for almost 1,000 years, Bamberg stands on seven hills, surrounded by the beautiful landscapes of Franconia.

The town was founded by Emperor Heinrich II (died 1024), who made Bamberg the centre of the Holy Roman Empire and the capital of his reign. It boasts many outstanding buildings, such as the cathedral, the old town hall, the new palace and St. Michael’s Abbey. Adding to the romantic atmosphere evident at every turn is the river Regnitz with its many pretty bridges. Bamberg is now essentially a baroque town, but has retained its medieval structures. Virtually unscathed by wars, Bamberg is today the largest old town ensemble in Germany. It is also avibrant cultural centre, appealing to visitors on many levels. The mixture of authentic architectural heritage, the surviving medieval town structure and the way that town, river and surrounding country side blend into a harmoniou swhole make Bamberg a worthy World Heritage site.