The First Bayern Experience

I had been here in Deutschland for training about 3 years ago, and honestly, the only time that I could say I was in Bayern was when we made a short stop at a castle in Aschaffenburg (it was already dark to get a decent photo and the Weihnachstmarkt was not yet open) which lasted for only about 30 minutes. That is because it was just near the house of Frau Huth, and we just have to pick up some plants at a market on the way home. Therefore, this event was my first REAL Bayern tour.

Bamberg, according to their tourist book, is a city holding vast history of more than thousand years ago. They say it is a "historical stroke of luck", for it was amazing to find a city here in Germany where it seems like it was NEVER ravaged by the wars. It could be because the Almighty One had saved this city from turning into ruins due to the people's deep religious beliefs. It is fascinating to find that on six hills surrounding the main city, stands grandiose cathedrals and churches, of whose structures are as old as Bamberg can remember.

Sadly, we were only there for a day, I went there with some ex-colleagues from Emerson Manila and our boss and my hubby. However, no one can fund an overnight stay for the Emerson employees, hence, we have to squeeze in all that we can do in one day. The outcome was not bad at all, we went to only one hill, the Domberg, and strolled around the city center.

We all started at the Tourism Office of Bamberg. It was already quite a sight, for you can see towering Gothic  buildings behind the houses and buildings.

A few more steps and we were already at the old Rathaus. It was built right at the middle of the river to serve as a link between the new town and the old town.

These frescoes tell the rich history of Bamberg. The artist immortalized himself by creating a sculpture of his knee.

Over the bridge at the old town hall, you can see the old town, the old slaughterhouse and the old boat that transported the goods in and out of Bamberg. This part of Bamberg is also known as the "Little Venice."

White-water rafting? Yes, you can also do it here.

At almost all the buildings here, secular or not, you can find religious sculpture just like what I found behind me. It is an old restaurant (not a chapel!) beside the old town hall.

The first church we went to in Bamberg. Let the stamp below tell the history of this St. Martin Church.

Inside was so magnificent! With all the golds shimmering over old structures.

Church ceiling of St. Martin Church

Maximilliansbrünnen at Maximilliansplatz

And the new town hall is here, right around the Maximilliansplatz.

A closer look at the old Metzgerei (slaughter house), sadly, there is a construction ongoing, and this pipeline destroyed the view :(.

The old trading boat.

 More about the history of this part of Bamberg.

And now, the new boat traversing this river.

Empress St. Kunigunde. More about her here.

The Bamberger Dom at the Domberg. Here lies the remains of Pope Clement II, St. Cunigunde and her husband St. Henry. More of its history here.

The cathedral entrance for the commoners.

Simple, yet magnificent.

The mysterious horseman.

The cathedral's organ and the Baroque-ceiling

And now, the cathedral entrance for the noblemen.

The historical "Neue Residenz" (sorry, I cannot find something in English).

The old parking area. The place for horsemen and the cooks while the noblemen stay at the Neue Residenz.

The famous "Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier" of Bamberg. After drinking, you will "schlenkern". :-p

Yes, it's brewed in a cloister!

A Madonna on a residential building.

The "Gymnasium" from yesterday until today.

Me and U are planning to go back there, with other colleagues from Emerson, and this time, we are going to stay for a night or two to enjoy Bamberg more than ever. There are so many other places to see in Bamberg, yet our time is soooo limited! To learn more about Bamberg, you can read it here.