When it comes to great storytellers, France has Charles Perrault, Denmark has Hans Christian Andersen, the United Kingdom has Geoffrey Chaucer, and Germany has the famous Brothers Grimm — and, of course, the beloved Hoffmann. And it’s only that last name we’re interested in here, right in front of this little house, barely wider than a car. Ernst Theodor Amadeus Hoffmann was trained as a lawyer in the Prussian administration, but he was also a true jack-of-all-trades in the German arts scene of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. His lasting fame comes above all from his extraordinary literary work. He gave us childhood classics like The Sandman, The Mines of Falun, and The Nutcracker and the Mouse King. By 1820, his boundless imagination was inspiring artists across Europe and beyond, including the composer Jacques Offenbach. Hoffmann was also passionate about drawing, painting, and above all, music. And it was here in Bamberg that he really dedicated himself to that art. When he wasn’t at the theatre, composing, or writing music reviews, he lived here with his wife, occupying the top two floors of this very building. Altogether, he spent almost five years here, between 1808 and 1813. Since 1930, his former home has been a public museum, with an admission fee, where visitors can explore his life and work. With sights and sounds bringing the story to life, you’ll step right into the world — and the mind — of the remarkable E.T.A. Hoffmann.