Bamberg  

Introduction

As you step off the train at Bamberg station the first thing you notice is the delightful scent of malt in the air.  The town has 10 major breweries, lots more on the outskirts, and the space between the breweries is filled with excellent pubs . . . oh, and a few shops . . . and a cathedral and other tourist sites.  Add to that the attractive appearance of the town with the old Fachwerkhäuser (half-timbered buildings) overlooking the river Pegnitz and the fact that this is the home of Rauchbier (smoked beer - one of the most distinctive styles of Germany and our favourite), and you'll see why the town is a magnet for anyone interested in beers.  UNESCO has declared Bamberg to be a World Heritage City and the EBCU (European Beer Consumers Union subsequently declared Bamberg to be a World Beer Heritage City - what more recommendation do you need?

Should you manage to tire of the town's own attractions you can easily get out into the Franconian countryside where picturesque villages turn out to have their own small breweries whose products you won't find anywhere else.  These are covered very well by the 'Guide to Bamberg and Franconia' on the books page. The Online guide to Bamberg and the Breweries of Franconia also gives you a lot of help.

For information on the town itself, try the official website - it's in German but you'll see a link to an English version. For the real purpose of your visit - the beer - you can start with a website which declares Bamberg the veritable Capital of Beer.  (Actually it says it in German, but there is a link to an English version.)  The site is based on a book by Christian Fiedler which gives some good information on the history of the town and its breweries and is well illustrated.  You'll find copies on sale in the town or you can order through the website.  The page headed 'Links' is rather nice, as it offers you the logos of all the main breweries, and clicking on them takes you to each brewery's website.

The town is also home to the Franconian Brewery Museum  - although the website offers you a Union Jack to click on only a couple of pages have been translated into English, although you'll find opening hours and a map without too much trouble. 
 

The picture at top right is of the old town hall, dating from 1467.  The story is that the Bishop did not want to give any land to the citizens, so they built this artificial island in the Pegnitz, the border between the clerical town on the hills and the merchants' island.  Whatever the reasons, it makes for unusual and beautiful views. 

The imperial cathedral of St Peter and St George with its four towers on one of Bamberg's seven hills is the heart of the city. It dates back to Emperor Heinrich II., who founded the diocese of Bamberg in 1007. The first cathedral was consecrated in 1012, but it burnt down. The present building was finished in 1237 and contains many works of art, including the Bamberger Reiter ( Bamberg Horseman), dating from around 1230.  No one knows who it represents or who the sculptor was, but its stylised outline is used as the town's logo.

Bamberg is an ideal town to explore on foot, with new delights popping into view round every corner of its narrow, ancient streets.  We managed to get lost a couple of times but that's more difficult today, since large maps have been installed at strategic locations to help pedestrian tourists.  You'll find our personal impressions of the town (and the beers) on the following pages.