Bamberg

　　Bamberg is situated in northern Bavaria and is the seat of the Catholic Diocese of Bamberg. It is a university city and an administrative center, as well as a key hub in the Upper Franconia region. The city’s old town is the largest well-preserved historic urban area in Germany that survived the war unscathed, and it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1993. Additionally, Bamberg is famous for its diverse variety of specialty beers.

　　Bamberg is traversed by a river, where water scenes blend seamlessly with architecture. The landscape formed by the Regnitz River banks and residential houses is known as the “Little Venice.” On August 23rd each year, a rowing race is held in the Little Venice section of the Regnitz River, which is Bamberg’s oldest traditional boating competition. The city boasts a history of over a thousand years and was once the residence of Holy Roman emperors and bishops. It remarkably escaped destruction during several wars that occurred nearby. The city preserves more than 2,000 historical sites, including various architecturally significant monuments and an approximately thousand-year-old old garden, presenting Bamberg as a unified masterpiece of urban architectural art. Among its most outstanding architectural works are the late Romanesque and early Gothic cathedral featuring four towers, the Old Town Hall built on an island in the river, the former fishing village “Little Venice,” the Baroque palace of Böttingerhaus, and the Renaissance-style Old Court.

　　In addition to its charming urban landscape composed of hills, islands, and gardens, Bamberg welcomes visitors with countless festivals, cultural highlights, local cuisine, and quintessential Franconian specialties, especially its beer. The city is home to nine traditional breweries producing more than 50 different types of beer.

　　Bamberg Reason to visit: Germany’s “Little Venice” Continent: Europe Country/Region: Germany Province/State: Bavaria City: Bamberg