PORCELAIN HIGHLIGHTS

Romanticist Karl Immermann described Bamberg as a city full of curiosities, like grandma’s chest of drawers. The Old Town Hall, set right into the river Regnitz, hosts Europe‘s biggest private porcelain collection. Faiences from Strasbourg and porcelain ware from Meißen reflecting the glory of baroque, stand in the focus of the Ludwig Collection. Elaborate table decorations, filigree fragrance vessels and services remind splendid life and table culture of the 18th century’s high society.

Following the traces of the white gold you will reach the Cathedral Square with its significant monuments. The Historic Museum, in immediate vicinity of the Emporer‘s Cathedral and set up in the Old Court, exhibits the works of Schmidt’s Porcelain Painters Institute. Besides table ware, vases and miniature portraits you should see, in particular, the big porcelain paintings according to originals of old and new masters. 

It is just a stone’s throw from the renaissance buildings at the Old Court to the baroque ensemble of the New Residence with its rose garden. While strolling through the more than 40 splendid rooms you will certainly note the need for representation and power of the Bamberg prince-bishops residing here in former times. 

Special attention should be paid to the Chinese Gallery with its impressive collection of porcelain from Delft and East Asia from the 18th century. Among the objects are Buddha porcelain figurines which were popular at the time. 

Porcelain preciosities and curiosities can also be seen along the Bamberg Antiquities Mile at the cathedral’s foot. There, the traders organize during high summer and parallel to the Wagner Festival in Bayreuth their annual art and antiquities weeks – a must for all lovers of art. A world also full of artistic flair, yet completely different can be experienced at the Nativity Scene Museum. The private museum shows Christmas cribs, the infant Jesus and Christmas representations from more than 25 countries, made of the most different materials – of course also of the white gold.

BAMBERG – BAROQUE, BEER AND GREEN NATURAL RESOURCES

Vegetables have been growing in the cathedral city since the 17th century. In Bamberg’s garden city you can expect urban gardening and its products, viewing platform Böhmerwiese and the gardener and winemaker museum (Gärtner- und Häckermuseum). The district is an important part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and can be explored by a circular trail. 

The World Heritage City is also known for its many breweries. The Franconian beer museum, beer tasting tours, breweries, beer cellars and more offers for the so-called liquid bread give much opportunity to experience the beer’s world in different ways. 

5 km east of Bamberg the baroque charm of Castle Seehof attracts visitors. The magnificent building, set up as a summer residence following the plans of Antonio Petrini, allows to visit nine splendid show rooms of the prince-bishops’ restored domicile. Also impressive are the reconstructed cascade with water shows and the sandstone sculptures by Ferdinand Tietz representing the glamour of the former rococo garden.

  • Gondola trip on the Old Channel & in front of Little Venice
  • Tours for children at Ludwig Collection | Däumling – the family passport
  • City tour by bicycle (Tourist Information)
  • 1st Advent to 6th January Bamberg Nativity Trail & Christmas Market at Maxplatz | Advent Market in the Sand on 1st Advent | Arts & Crafts Christmas Market on 3rd Advent