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Bamberg is a city in Bavaria, Germany. It is located in Upper Franconia on the Regnitz River, close to its confluence with the Main River. Population: 69,200 (2001).
History
The town was first mentioned in 902. Henry I of Germany made Bamberg the seat of a diocese in 1007 to foster the conversion of the peoples to the east of Bamberg. For a short time Bamberg was the centre of the Holy Roman Empire. Henry and his wife Cunigunde were both buried in the cathedral.
In 1647, the university of Bamberg was founded as "Academia Bambergensis". Today, it is offering higher education in the areas of social science, business studies & the humanities and is named Otto-Friedrich University.
In the following centuries Bamberg was ruled by its bishops, who forced the construction of monumental buildings. Bamberg lost its independence in 1802 and became a part of Bavaria.
After World War I, when a communist uprising took control over Bavaria, the government fled to Bamberg and had to stay for almost two years, before the Bavarian capital Munich was recaptured by Freikorps (see Weimar Republic).
Settlers from Bamberg
Bambrzy (ger. Posen Bambergers) - Poles of German origin, descendans of settlers from area near Bamberg, that were settled in villages around Poznań in years 1719 - 1753.
Sights
The Old Town of Bamberg is included in the UNESCO World Heritage, since it retained its medieval look. Some of the main sights are:
- Cathedral (1237), with the tombs of emperor Henry I and Pope Clement II
- Alte Hofhaltung, residence of the bishops in the 16th and 17th centuries
- Neue Residenz, residence of the bishops after the 17th century
- Old Town Hall (1386), built in the mid of the Regnitz River, accessible by two bridges
- Klein-Venedig ("Little Venice"), a colony of picturesque fishermen's houses along the Regnitz
Varia
Bamberg is also known for the Schlenkerla brewery, which dates from medieval times, and produces its distinctive and unique "Rauchbier."
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