Bamberg Germany – Cindy Knoke

The early medieval town of Bamberg is in northern Bavaria and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It has one of Europe’s largest intact old town squares and is remarkable due to its distinctive half-timbered old buildings.

Bamberg was originally settled by the Slavs and starting in the 10th century served as a link between central and eastern Europe.

In the 11th century the town’s unique style strongly influenced the architectural development of central Europe.

During the 18th century enlightenment, Bamberg was the home of the philosopher Hegel and ETA Hoffman who wrote The Nutcracker.

The Alte Hofhaltung, or Old Palace, dates from 10th and 11th centuries. The inner courtyard is surrounded by half-timbered buildings with steeply pitched roofs and stunning wooden walkways.

Bamberg is a visual feast!

It is also pleasing to the palate with wonderful restaurants and is famous for its beer! The town has nine breweries, one of which makes an unusual smoky tasting brew, which no, I didn’t try, and neither did my husband which is a surprise because he is the beer aficionado in the family. I guess we’ll just have to go back!

The town is ideal for exploring on foot and full of wonderful surprises at every turn.

Cheers to you from the remarkably beautiful old town of Bamberg~

I promised you more of the intricate and immensely charming Germanic Street signs one finds while strolling in medieval towns. This one is in Nuremburg Germany.

New Merchants have continued the medieval sign tradition in these remarkable old towns. Bamburg Germany.

Some are clearly newer. Melk Austria.

In Medieval times, many people were illiterate, hence the necessity for the visual imagery of these signs. Krems Austria.

Maintaining the tradition of advertising with these signs gives one the incredible feeling of walking back in time. Regensburg Germany.

This sign is on Albrecht Durer Street in Nuremburg, Durer’s home town.

Some signs are clearly older. Passau Germany.

I am impressed with the care taken by people in these old towns, over generations, to preserve these amazing art forms for us to wander by and admire. Passau Germany.