The New Residence

German, Franconian, baroque, cultural, medieval, brewing—yes, Bamberg is a beautiful blend of all these elements. But for the recipe to be truly complete, there’s one more essential ingredient deeply tied to the city: its episcopal heritage. If you didn’t know this yet, it’s time for a quick dive into Bamberg’s past. First mentioned as early as the 10th century, the city really stepped onto the historical stage in the early 11th century—not because of what, but because of whom. In 1007, Emperor Henry II, then Duke of Bavaria, made Bamberg both a new capital of the Holy Roman Empire and the seat of a bishopric destined to become a “second Rome.” This decision came with a major bonus: the bishops gained imperial immediacy, meaning they held feudal power directly from the emperor, ruling the episcopal principality of Bamberg as temporal lords—a privilege that lasted over 550 years. Among the prince-bishops who followed, Johann Philipp von Gebsattel had the vision to build the impressive New Residence you see today. Originally constructed in 1603 with two Renaissance-style wings, nearly a century later it was expanded and doubled in size, adopting the more lavish baroque style. Then, around 1802-1803, the episcopal principality was annexed by Bavaria, church properties were secularized, and the New Residence passed into the hands of the Wittelsbach family—one of the most powerful and ancient dynasties of the Holy Roman Empire. Their reign ended with the 1918 revolution that dissolved the German Empire, and the newly elected Bavarian state government took up residence in the New Residence apartments. Today, that chapter is history, and the building is open to the public, showcasing over 40 magnificent rooms, including the electors’ chambers and the imperial hall, where stunning trompe-l’oeil decorations adorn walls and ceilings.