|
|
BAMBERG
- GERMANY
Bamberg is a city in Bavaria, Germany. It is
located in Upper Franconia on the Regnitz River, close to its confluence
with the Main River. Population: 69,200 (2001).
History
The town was first mentioned in 902. Henry II of Germany made Bamberg the
seat of a diocese in 1007 to foster the conversion of the peoples to the
east of Bamberg. For a short time Bamberg was the centre of the Holy Roman
Empire. Henry and his wife Cunigunde were both buried in the cathedral.
In 1647, the university of Bamberg was
founded as "Academia Bambergensis". Today, it is offering higher education
in the areas of social science, business studies & the humanities and is
named Otto-Friedrich University.
In the following centuries Bamberg was ruled by its bishops, who forced the
construction of monumental buildings. Bamberg lost its independence in 1802
and became a part of Bavaria.
After World War I, when a communist uprising took control over Bavaria, the
government fled to Bamberg and had to stay for almost two years, before the
Bavarian capital Munich was recaptured by Freikorps.
Settlers from Bamberg
Posen Bembergs (Polish: Poznanskie Bambry) the ethnic group of German
Catholic settlers from Bamberg, that settled in the Poznan area at the
beginning of 18th century. The Kulturkampf brought Catholic Poles and
Germans of the province in opposition. The outcome was that many Catholics
became Poles, even if their knowledge of Polish was limited. During Nazi
times they were persecuted for their Polishness.
Sights
The Old Town of Bamberg is included in the UNESCO World Heritage, since it
retained its medieval look. Some of the main sights are:
Cathedral (1237), with the tombs of emperor Henry I and Pope Clement II
Alte Hofhaltung, residence of the bishops in the 16th and 17th centuries
Neue Residenz, residence of the bishops after the 17th century
Old Town Hall (1386), built in the mid of the Regnitz River, accessible by
two bridges
Klein-Venedig ("Little Venice"), a colony of picturesque fishermen's houses
along the Regnitz
Varia
Bamberg is also known for the Schlenkerla brewery, which dates from midieval
times, and produces its distinctive and unique "Rauchbier.".
|
|
