Bamberg Things to Do

4 more images

TO SEE THE FOUNTAIN'S IN OPERATION, BE THERE AT THE CORRECT TIME

The Fountain's only operate from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily, every hour on the hour...
From May to October.

We didn't see them in operation, which was a shame, even so, the Fountain is beautiful to look at on its own.
The Fountain's could be easily missed, as they are located away from the main body of the Palace, and over a hill, so if you haven't found them, keep walking! Where they are located are three Lake's.

In 1760, construction began on building them, including building underground sewer's for a water supply to the Fountain.
The Fountain itself is large, with sculpture's of Hercule's and twelve other figure's. Having a close look, I can tell you there are some very unusual figure's and ugly face's!

My view was of the Fountain and then the Palace, just imagine what a view the Palace occupant's would have of this beautiful fountain, viewing it from their window's.

4 more images

We had a Car, so it was easy to come here, but even if you don't have a Car, there are several Buse's from Bamberg.
The Palace is just 5kms from Bamberg.

On arrival at the Palace, we parked our car in the FREE car park, and then walked through the entry gate into the garden.
The Palace is an impressive building painted in gold and white, and has four big Dome's where there are balconies.
Seehof Palace was built around 1686, as a summer residence for the Bamberg Prince-Bishops.
It had been in disrepair for a long time, until the end of the 20th century, when renovation's took place.
Most of the palace is used by the Bavarian State Conservation Office.

The nine state rooms of the restored Prince-Bishops' apartment, including the "White Hall" with its magnificent ceiling painting by Guiseppe Appiani, are open to the public.
We decided not to go inside, as it was by tour, so we had a look around the outside of the Palace and the gardens instead.
THIS IS FREE!

OPEN....April-October: 9 am-6 pm ....open daily ....closed November-March

ADMISSION IN 2011.....Adults 4.00 euros <>
Buy a Combination ticket for Seehof Palace and the New Residenz in Bamberg for Adult's 7.00 euro.

GUIDED TOURS take approx 35mins.

1 more image

St. Michael's Monastery, is an impressive building that stands on the highest hill in Bamberg.

We have Emperor Heinrich II. to thank for founding this former Benedictine monastery of St. Michael, in 1015.
Tragedy struck this Monastery in 1117, when the first church was destroyed by an earthquake. Bishop Otto then had a romanesque house of worship constructed, with only minor changes being made to the mediaeval monastery's appearance.
Fire, in 1610, and the church had to be rebuilt in a neo-gothic style. It was in the 18th century, the Church was styled in Baroque.

Of interest in this Church, is the tomb of Bishop Otto of Bamberg which dates from 1443.
There is a hole in the middle of the tomb which is just big enough for a person to crawl through. Visitors to the church like to crawl through the hole, because it is said that it helps people who have backache.

Photo on this website....

http://www.bamberg-guide.de/bamberg/freizeitundtourismus/artikel_stadt.php?id=6

It really is worth seeing!

Walking a little further along the River from the Old Town Hall, I came across the Geyerswörth bridge.
From here, I looked back to the Old City Hall, the other side to the preserved mills of Bamberg.
Only the lower and upper mills have been preserved. Date's mentioned for these Mill's go back to 973. In later times, the mills were used to generate electricity or as grinding mills. .

Today, the old mills are used as small hydropower plants, residences, dormitories, hotels and restaurants

1 more image

The other part of the "Old town hall,' is the Rottmeisterhaus.

This pretty, half-timbered building, is balanced on one of the Bridge's pontoon's, and it looks like it could be washed away in a flood!
It was built in 1688 and in the middle of the River Regnitz, to be the divider between the Bishop's city and the citizens' city.
At one stage, it was used by the gang leaders of the early "police forces" as an accommodation place.

3 more images

We had just been and seen Little Venice, when we found we were close to the Old Town Hall.

It is one of the most popular sight's in the City, and when I set eye's on it, I knew why!

First of all, the Frescoes are amazing!
I took my time having a look at these three-dimensional painting's done in trompe d'oeil style. I think the Artist, "Anwander" who painted these in 1755, was ever so clever!
Viewing these, you can see good and bad qualities of the man depicted here.
Check out the leg of the cherub that actually protudes out of the wall as a sculpture!

The Legend behind this......
Is the bishop of Bamberg did not grant the citizens any land for the construction of a town hall, so they took the matter into their own hands, by ramming stake's in the River Regnitz to create an artificial island, and then they built the Town Hall!

Inside, the Old Town Hall has impressive rococo hall and the Ludwig Collection.

OPEN...Tuesday-Sunday: 9:30am-04.30pm.
ADMISSION....Adults...3.50 euros

1 more image

The two Bamberg River Cranes are what was used years ago to load and unload the Cargo.
A ship would come to Bambeg and stop for approx 3 day's to try and sell their ware's, before moving on.
Next to the Crane, is the old Bamberg Slaughterhouse, on which a stone bull is attached. Today, it is part of the Bamberg University Library. From there, the House's of Little Venice take over the River side.
The area by the Crane's is a good spot for a photo opportunity of the Cathedral towers, as well as the monastery of St. Michael can be seen here.

Just up river of Little Venice, is the Dock for Tourist Boat's departure's.

It is one way to get a very close look at Little Venice, and to see some nice view's of the Cathedral and St. Michael's mountain. The boat goes to the small lock in Gaustadt, which is the last still in operation on the former Ludwig Danube main channel. From here, we return to the starting point, having spent about 80mins cruising.

FARES IN 2011...... Adults 8.00 eu child/student 3-13 years 5.00eu 14-17 years old 6.00 euro's
Group fare:from 20 persons Adults 7,00 euro's

DEPARTURE......From 11am and every hour until 4 pm (last departure)
High season in early May to late October.