Things To Do in Bamberg
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Bamberg Attractions
Alte Hofhaltung, a Renaissance imperial and Episcopal palace, with a courtyard surrounded by late-Gothic framework buildings, dominates the center square. Altes Rathaus is the strangest town hall in Germany. Determined not to play favorites between the ecclesiastical and secular sections of the city, the town authorities built this Gothic structure on its own little island in the middle of the Regnitz River, halfway between the two factions -- a true middle-of-the-road (or river) political stand. From the island, you get the best view of the old fishermen's houses along the banks in the section called "Little Venice."
For a map and other information, stop by the Bamberg Tourist Information Office, near the cathedral on Geyerswörthstrasse 5 (tel. 0951/2976200; www.bamberg.info). Office hours are Monday to Friday 9:30am to 6pm, Saturday to Sunday 9:30am to 2:30pm (Jan–Mar closed Sun). It’s an easy 10-minute walk from the train station to the Domplatz in the center of the Altstadt, or you can take one of the buses from the front of the station; buy a ticket from one of the machines for 1.70€.
- Landmark
Alte Hofhaltung
Located on the north side of Bamberg's great cathedral, this once-glorified palace is still an impressive half-timbered pile in the Gothic style, with Renaissance styling and a spacious courtyard for periodic special events. Ask at the tourist office for more information. Inside,… - Landmark
Altes Rathaus
In the Middle Ages, Bamberg was two towns divided by the river: the powerful ecclesiastical town of the prince-bishopric, of which it was the capital for 800 years, and the secular town of the burghers. Determined not to play favorites between the ecclesiastical and secular sections… - Cathedral
Kaiserdom (Imperial Cathedral)
The four towers of this massive 13th-century, hillside edifice dominate the skyline and steer you to a treasure that is reason enough to come to Bamberg. Sculptor Tilman Riemenschneider (you’ve met him in Würzburg) labored for 14 years over the tombs of Emperor Heinrich II, who… - Historic Site
Neue Residenz (New Residence)
The palace of the prince-bishops of Bamberg has been steeped in intrigue ever since a corpse found beneath the windows of the palace in 1815 turned out to be the body of Marshal Berthier, Napoleon’s chief of staff, who retired here after Napoleon was exiled to Elba. No one knows if…
Bamberg Shopping
The primary shopping district in Bamberg is by the cathedral, where you will find stores of all kinds, including more than a dozen antiques shops and numerous galleries. An antiques store that has it all, Sebök, Untere Königstrasse 21 (tel. 0951/202593; www.seboek-auktionen.de), offers paintings, books, furniture, fine jewelry, silver, glass, toys, watches, clocks, and more. Auctions are held every 2 months, with the summer auction falling in July. If you're interested in local ceramics, go to Töpferladen Irene Herold, Untere Brücke 1 (tel. 0951/56913), where you'll find ceramic candleholders, cups, dinnerware, vases, and garden statuary.
Bamberg Nightlife
Sinfonie an der Regnitz, Mussstrasse 1 (tel. 0951/9647200; www.bamberger-symphoniker.de), is home to the Bamberg Symphony Orchestra from September to May. From the last week in June to mid-July, there's a summer festival with weekend symphonic concerts. Tickets are 23€ to 43€.
Hofburg Repertory Theater performs at the E. T. A. Hoffman Theater, E.T.A.-Hoffmann-Platz 1 (tel. 0951/873030; www.theater-bamberg.de). Its season runs September through July. The productions range from 18th-, 19th-, and 20th-century classics to contemporary musicals. The box office is open daily 10am to 6pm and 1 hour before showtime. In June and July, the company moves outdoors, performing a series of German-language dramas in the courtyard of the Alte Hofhaltung . Tickets for both indoor and outdoor performances are 17€ to 30€, but students with a valid ID card pay half-price. For more information about these and other cultural events in Bamberg, contact the Tourist Information Office.
A young crowd gathers at Jazzclub, Obere Sandstrasse 18 (tel. 0951/55225; www.jcbamberg.de), to listen to punk, Goth, and alternative music on Tuesday and Thursday nights from 9pm to 1am, when the cover is 5€ mid-September to April; the club opens its cellar for live jazz on Friday and Saturday 9pm to 2am, when the cover is 9€ to 17€, depending on the group. Tickets to virtually any cultural or sporting event in Bamberg are available from the city's largest ticket agency, BVD Bamburger Ticket Agency, Langestrasse 22 (tel. 0951/980820; www.bvd-ticket.de), open Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm.
Another option for whiling away the after-dark hours is a visit to Haas Säle, Obere Sandstrasse 7 (tel. 0951/500458 or 0951/53304; www.haas-saele.de), where you'll find a battered-looking pub with a small stage that presents, depending on the night of the week, flamenco dancing, short plays, or political satire. Dance music follows the show. There's almost never a cover charge and everything is usually spontaneous and pulled together on short notice.
