Bamberg Cathedral

The imperial cathedral of St. Peter and St. George on the Domberg is one of Bamberg's cultural highlights. Located in the old town, the cathedral is one of the most important medieval buildings in Germany. Since 1993, the cathedral and the New Residence have been part of the Bamberg Old Town UNESCO World Heritage Site. Particularly striking are the four towers that enclose the opposite sanctuaries and tower over the city.

Due to several fires, the church cannot be assigned to any particular stylistic epoch. It was restored and rebuilt several times during the period from the late Romanesque to the early Gothic.

The three patrons of the cathedral are Pope Peter, Knight George and the Mother of God Mary. They are located at the Marian Gate and are said to represent the connection between the Roman and Byzantine churches. Public tours of the cathedral take place daily. 

The foundation stone for the cathedral was laid in 1002. However, Bamberg only became a bishopric in 1007 by Emperor Heinrich II and his wife Kunigunde. Five years later, the building was completed and the consecration could take place. According to excavations, the cathedral was a three-nave columned basilica with two choirs and crypts. The nave and transept had flat wooden ceilings, two towers marked the east choir and there was a transept on the west side. However, a fire almost completely destroyed the cathedral in 1081.

After reconstruction, another fire destroyed the cathedral in 1185, so that today the third building, dating from 1237, stands in Bamberg's old town. This is characterized by late Romanesque and early Gothic style elements and attracts thousands of visitors to the Upper Franconian city every year.

By public transport

Since there is no direct parking at the cathedral, you can park your car in one of the underground garages, multi-storey car parks or P R stations in the city centre. From there you can walk up to the Domberg in a few minutes or take the city bus 910 to the stop "Domplatz".