Bamberg Old Town

Bamberg is an ancient centre of imperial and episcopal power which just like Rome was built on seven hills. Dominated by its imperial cathedral, the town is a listed ensemble of medieval and baroque architecture. Bamberg's well-preserved old town comprises three historical centres - the episcopal town, the island town and the market gardener's town. With its four towers, the imperial cathedral of St. Peter and St. George is the most prominent building. Inside is the Bamberg Rider, the tomb of Henry II and Cunigunde - the only emperor and empress to be canonised in the Holy Roman Empire. It is also home to the only papal grave in Germany - that of Pope Clemence II.The whole cathedral square is spectacular - with the Romanesque-Gothic cathedral, the magnificent L-shaped design of the baroque New Palace and the Alte Hofhaltung Palace with elements from the late medieval and Renaissance periods. Other attractions in the old town include the town hall lapped by the River Regnitz, the rose garden with a view of the old quarter and beyond to St. Michael's abbey, the tanners' cottages by the old canal, the mill district and the fisherman's village "Little Venice".