With more than 1,000 years of history, this cathedral is simply magnificent. A "Castrum Babenberg" existed on the Domberg (Cathedral Hill) and was mentioned in 902 for the first time. It was founded in 1002 by King (and later crowned as the Holy Roman Emperor by pope Benedict VIII in 1014) Heinrich (Henry) II and consecrated in 1012. Emperor Heinrich II died in 1024, and his wife empress Kunigunde in 1040. With the tomb of the couple, the cathedral contains the remains of the only imperial couple that was canonized. The second bishop Suidger of Bamberg was elected as Pope Clemens II. in 1046. His last resting place in the Bamberg Cathedral is the only preserved tomb of a pope in Germany and north of the Alps. After the first two cathedrals burned down in the 11th and 12th centuries, the current structure, a late Romanesque building with four large towers, was built in the 13th century. The cathedral is about 94 m long, 28 m broad, 26 m high, and the four towers are each about 81 m high. It contains many works of art, including the marble tomb of the Emperor Heinrich II and his wife, the Empress Kunigunde, considered a masterpiece of the sculptor Tilman Riemenschneider, and carved between 1499 and 1513. Another well-known treasure of the cathedral is an equestrian statue known as the Bamberg Horseman (German: Der Bamberger Reiter). This statue, possibly depicting the Hungarian king Stephen I, most likely dates to the period from 1225 to 1237. read more

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Dominating the hillside above the old town of Bamberg is its imposing late Romanesque Cathedral. The current building is the third to stand on the site, after the original (founded by Heinrich II and his wife Kunigunde in 1104), and its successor, both burned down. Erected in the 13th Century, the style is a mixture of late Romanesque (particularly the doorways and windows) and early Gothic, best seen in the arcades. The exterior is dominated by four spires and some impressive sculpture in the porches: the interior has some lovely treasures - particularly the late Gothic tomb of its founders, Heinrich and Kunigunde, and the unusual but impressive equestrian statue of the Bamberg horseman. Sadly, the decision to strip away the plaster and wall decoration in the 19th Century does detract from the atmosphere: the bare expanse of stone could do with some colourful banners (or restored plaster and fresco) to enliven it. The cathedral has two crypts, one of which, containing saintly relics, can be visited. The west choir was roped off in my visit but contains the only papal tomb North if the Alps (that if Clemens II). read more

In den letzten Wochen habe ich dank des €9 Tickets etliche bedeutende Dome in Speyer, Mainz, Worms, Fulda, Würzburg und anderen Städten besichtigt, hier reiht sich der Bamberger Dom "in der Mitte" ein. Wie die drei erstgenannten ist er einer der Kaiserdome, zuerst im 11. Jahrhundert, 1237 erneut geweiht. Während des 30-jährigen Krieges wurden ihm barocke Merkmale hinzugefügt. Die Besichtigung ist zweifellos einer der Höhepunkte jeder Städtereise nach Bamberg. Zur Zeit sind die Türme mit Gerüsten umhüllt (Ich komme aus Bonn und habe den Kölner Dom in 30 Jahren dort NIE ohne Gerüst gesehen). Der Innenraum präsentiert zahlreiche Steinfiguren und Altäre, die sehr sehenswert sind. Den Domschatz hat man in das Diözesanmuseum nebenan ausgelagert, das ebenfalls einen Besuch lohnt. In der Summe muss ich sagen, dass Speyer, Mainz und Fulda die schönsten Dome sind, die ich in letzter Zeit besichtigen durfte, aber darauf folgt Bamberg. Auf dem Domberg findet man in unmittelbarer Nachbarschaft weitere wichtige Attraktionen der Stadt, z.B. die "Neue Residenz" mit opulentem Rosengarten oder die "Alte Hofhaltung". read more

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The cathedral is a late Romanesque building with four imposing towers. It was founded in 1002 by the emperor Henry II, finished in 1012 and consecrated on May 6, 1012. It was later partially destroyed by fire in 1081. The new cathedral, built by St. Otto of Bamberg, was consecrated in 1111, and in the 13th century received its present late-Romanesque form. A must visit when in town. This place is huge. Take the time to explore the church, the surrounding areas and the museums near by. An amazing piece of architecture and I loved it. read more

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It seems like around every corner in little Bamberg is another huge, spectacular cathedral. The Dom is one of these awe-inspiring churches and does not disappoint. It is worth a few minutes, or even longer, inside to take in the unique architecture, quietness, and the beauty of this treasure. read more

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Just opening the 12-15 foot door to enter the building starts your impression of this grand place. Yes, there is a large amount of scaffolding on the inside (and some on the outside) but when you catch glimpses of the work they are doing it truly makes an impression. Immense, beautiful architecture, you just can't help but look around in awe. There are many alcoves for different saints and such where you can light a candle if you so choose. Truly worth the stop! read more