Bamberg really was the prettiest town!
Founded in 902, the many historical churches and homes mean it still looks like a medieval city. It's almost like the whole town is an historic work of art.
In the 14th Century, the citizens of Bamberg wanted to build a city hall that served both sides of the town, which is divided by the Regnitz River. Their solution was to build a bridge across the river and place the Rathaus (town hall) on a man-made island in the middle.
Baroque and rococo touches were added to the building in 1746. The pictures above are the same building — this part of it is slightly visible in the very first picture in this post — on the left corner from the half-timbered part of the building. From this location, there are beautiful city and river views.
It is probably no surprise to anyone that most of my pictures include river views.
Lots of water and boats. Bamberg has been called "Little Venice".
This building was the birthplace of Joseph Heller, a historian and art collector. I really don't have much more information about him, but the building is so pretty. It looks like it is made out of Wedgewood pottery — or sugar icing! The statue on the end of the bridge in front of it is Queen (and Saint) Cunigunde, the wife of one of the Holy Roman Emperors and a patron of Bamberg.
Another mystery — this three-dimensional sculpture is on a wall on the Mager Building in the old town. I don't know the significance, but was fascinated by it.
Original Schlenkeria Smoked Beer.
There has to be something silly about every stop — in Bamberg for us it was trying this strongly smoke-flavored beer at the historic brewery tavern that is its birthplace. I'll just say that 'trying' was the operative word (for both of us). Definitely not 'finishing'.
These pictures are from our balcony, shortly after we re-boarded the Skirnr. This was the most bird life we'd seen from the boat. There were geese, ducks and ducklings, and several swan families. It was the perfect ending to this beautiful day.
Linking to the following this week with thanks to the generous hosts:
ALL SEASONS; MOSAIC MONDAY; THROUGH MY LENS; OUR WORLD on Tuesday; TRAVEL PHOTO SOUVENIRS; TUESDAY TREASURES ; SAY CHEESE; MY CORNER OF THE WORLD; THANKFUL THURSDAY; SKYWATCH FRIDAY; FRIDAY BLISS; and SATURDAY CRITTERS
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