The iconic Bamberg landmark. The Old Town Hall in Bamberg is one of the most important buildings…read morethat characterize the historic city center. It is located between the mountain and island town in the left Regnitz arm. This location "... marks the old rule border between the episcopal mountain town and the bourgeois island town and clearly shows the power striving of the Bamberg bourgeoisie." You see, the bishop of Bamberg did not want to give any of his land to the citizens for the construction of a town hall. Therefore, the crafty citizens struck stakes in the Regnitz and thus created an artificial island on which they built their town hall. The Regnitz marks the old rule border between the episcopal mountain and the bourgeois island town. The town hall was mentioned for the first time in 1387 and was rebuilt between 1461 and 1467, so that it took on the shape it is today. At this stage of construction, it was mainly influenced by the Gothic. Johann Jakob Michael Küchel redesigned the town hall between 1744 and 1756 in the Baroque and Rococo styles. Worth mentioning are the façade paintings originally created by Johann Anwander in 1755, which have been restored many times. After not much of these paintings could be seen in the 1950s, the painter Anton Greiner repainted between 1959 and 1962. Both sides of the building are completely decorated with simulated allegorical scenes and architectural details, the typical illusion painting of this time. Small, actually figurative elements on the eastern side reinforce the spatial impression. The Rococo balconies and coat of arms reliefs come from Jos. Bonaventure Mutschele. The half-timbered house attached to the bridge tower, the Rottmeister's house, served as accommodation for the leaders of the guards. You cannot miss this structure when/if you are in Bamberg. It's a must-visit place along with Bamberger Dom and Neue Residenz.

Mitten über dem linken Arm der Regnitz thront das opulente "Alte Rathaus" Bambergs. Das von der…read moreGotik beeinflusste Gebäude entstand zwischen 1461 und 1467 und wurde im 18. Jahrhundert im Barockstil umgestaltet. Die schönen Malereien auf der Fassade stammen ursprünglich von Johann Anwander, mussten aber 1959-62 von Anton Greiner komplett neu gestaltet werden, weil die Originale verblichen waren. Auch die Neubemalung verblasst langsam. Die Brücke führt direkt durch das Rathaus, man gelangt hier in die eigentliche Altstadt. Architektonisch bemerkenswert ist das "Rottmeisterhäuschen", ein Fachwerkanbau auf der Seite, der fast so wirkt, als strecke das Rathaus seinen Hintern in Richtung Fluss aus. Es war ursprünglich ein Anbau für die Wachsoldaten. Dass Rathaus beherbergt ein wichtiges Museum, die Sammlung Ludwig: Es war die größte private Porzellansammlung in ganz Europa und wurde von den Erben der Stadt Bamberg hinterlassen.

The art part of the museum was not that impressive to me, but the 3rd floor intro he residence and…read morerooms was amazing and worth the visit.

The so-called "New Residence" was home to the Prince-Bishops of Bamberg for 200 years after it's…read morefoundation in 1602. The original was built in the Renaissance style, but between 1693 and 1703 Prince-Bishop Lothar Franz von Schönborn had it extended in the Baroque style, and had the original updated to match. Both sets of state rooms can be seen by guided tour only: these are provided regularly in German and less frequently in English. The interiors betray the opulence in which the Prince-Bishops expected to live, and the state rooms for entertaining the Emperor (who in fact never visited) are particularly impressive, with fabulous frescoes and extensive tapestries. The palace holds an extensive collection of art, including a set of views of Venice by Canaletto. Well worth the visit.

This fountain commemorates Maximillian I, Elector of Bavaria. Also, this city square/plaza which…read morecontains this fountain is named after him. The most important and largest square in the city center: Maximilianplatz exclusively called Maxplatz by the locals. The size and popularity of the square mean that it is used very differently. For example, football championships and the national team's games are broadcast on a jumbotron screen. Whether special events, cultural events or the fruit and vegetable market that takes place on weekdays and seasonal market events. Of course, the annual Christmas market is held here (except this year due to COVID). The day we visited here was no exception. Though COVID issues dampened the normal use of this square, there were a handful of food trucks gathered here to provide some respite for the shoppers. Of course, a pair of Frankonian bratwursts on a nice brot (photo) was excellent.

Built for, and according to the vision of, Richard Wagner. Home to the world renowned annual…read moreFestspielwochen. Being able to attend an opera can take decades of fruitless applications for tickets. We managed to get a pair for Parsifal this year for EUR 210 each through membership of the Bayreuther Wagner association. Seats were located on the Balcony, which had - surprise - cushions and, as it was first row, I could stretch my legs! View of the stage was fantastic! Acoustics was fine. Singers, including chorus, were superb through out. Orchestra was in perfect harmony. Staging was ... memorable. Atmosphere before and during breaks was very pleasant. All in all a fantastic event with just the right dose of scandals e.g. the conductor Andris Nelsons throwing in the towel weeks before the premiere : )

Looks like the Bayreuth crowd is not a big Yelp crowd! Or maybe Richard is censoring all from…read morebeyond the grave.... In any case I wanted to review my swing-through in June on the ride between Nuremberg and Munich: it was a long June day so we had time and light to visit the exterior only. It was a little difficult to find as the GPS seemed to short circuit in this town, and when we got to the theater there was no clear parking, so we pulled over in an odd lot. The festival grounds are meticulously maintained and the flowers are highly arranged, clearly people put a lot of love into this park. I was happy to see that surrounding the bust of Wagner in the front was a surrounding poster display of all the Jewish musicians that in some way suffered discrimination in the hands of Wagner and his festival, justice is served in some small way. One day I will be back to see the show, when I'm richer, older, too old to write a review on whatever website exists in the future.....

This is the place to go for a stroll in Bayreuth. Adjacent to downtown (starting behind the new…read morecastle) is this big park. A kind of Bayreuth's green loung. In the summer the trees provide some cooling shadow.