Bamberg Cathedral

An unusual town hall? Check. One or two breweries where you can toast to great beer? Check. Stunning baroque houses and palaces from centuries past? Check. So what else does Bamberg have in store for you? Oh yes, its cathedral! So grand it can’t stay hidden for long. It owes its existence to Holy Roman Emperor Henry II—nicknamed Henry the Lame by close friends—who founded the bishopric of Bamberg in 1007 and had it built. Bad luck struck when the first cathedral, blessed in 1012, was destroyed by fire just 69 years later. The second version suffered the same fate. At that point, you might wonder if the whole thing was cursed. But against all odds, the third cathedral, completed in 1237, was the charm—and it still stands today. This beautiful structure stretches 94 meters long and is topped by four towers soaring 80 meters high, blending Romanesque and Gothic styles into a seamless architectural masterpiece. Inside, the highlights are endless and always awe-inspiring. At the far end of the nave lies the tomb of the holy imperial couple, Henry II and his wife Cunigunde. Beyond their decorative role, five reliefs depict legends from their shared life story. In the opposite direction, you’ll find the marble tomb of Pope Clement II, adorned with paintings symbolizing Justice, Moderation, Wisdom, and Bravery. Fun fact: he’s the only pope buried north of the Alps. Impressive, right? But not as impressive as the cathedral’s greatest artistic treasure hidden beneath its four spires—the Bamberger Reiter. Ever heard of it? Simply put, it’s Bamberg’s most famous sculpture: a rider on horseback, created around 1230. Everything else is a mystery—the artist’s identity and the rider’s name remain unknown. Even after all these years, Bamberg Cathedral, a true UNESCO gem, still holds secrets waiting to be uncovered.