Seniors Visit Bamberg, Germany

Pour yourself a cup of coffee, friends, we’re going to Bamberg, a town in northern Bavaria, Germany, that is laid out over seven hills where the Regnitz and Main rivers meet. Seniors find that Bamberg’s Old Town preserves structures from the 11th to 19th centuries including the muraled Altes Rathaus, which occupies an island in the Regnitz reached by ancient arched bridges.

The Romanesque Bamberg Cathedral, begun in the 11th century, features 4 towers and numerous stone carvings. The population runs right at 70,000. Endowed with one of Europe’s largest intact Old Town centers, Bamberg has the magic of the past hanging in the air, and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993.

From the 10th century onwards, this town became an important link with the Slav peoples, especially those of Poland and Pomerania. During its period of greatest prosperity, from the 12th century onwards, the architecture of Bamberg strongly influenced northern Germany and Hungary. In the late 18th century it was the center of the Enlightenment in southern Germany, with eminent philosophers and writers such as Hegel and Hoffmann living there.

Seniors Enjoy The Arts And The Beer

TripAdvisor selects Bamberg Altstadt and the town hall, Altes Rathaus, for seniors to visit. The cultural program in Bamberg is shaped by the world-famous Bamberg Symphony Orchestra as well as its theaters, music  festivals, and an impressive music scene in jazz and blues bars. The international magician and street performers’ festival in July or the Sandkirchweih Fair in August transform the entire old town into one fun  scene.

Bamberg without beer is like Christmas without Santa – unthinkable! The nine breweries within the town boundaries, cooking up Bamberg’s famous smoked beer and 60 more in the surrounding area illustrate all that can be done with hops and malt.

It is suggested that senior visitors purchase a BAMBERGcard and explore Bamberg at an unbeatable price. I discovered TimeTravelTurtle and their wonderful overview of the city with great photos.

I can not wait to explore Bamberg for myself. Narrow alleys, cozy corners, medieval and baroque building fronts, plus a distinct romantic flair: Bamberg is said to be a unique work of art.

 Seniors Enjoy Bamberg’s History

Today, Bamberg is a lively arts and cultural center with a thousand year old history. Must-see places include the Imperial Cathedral, a breathtakingly romantic Rose Garden, the medieval Old Court, and the Old Town Hall, that sits right in the middle of the River Regnitz.

Being a “flower man” myself, I would put the Rose Garden with more than 4.500 roses on my “must see list.” It features historic statues and a memorable scenic view across the roofs of Bamberg. Lonely Planet notes that Bamberg is generally regarded as one of Germany’s most attractive settlements, bisected by rivers and canals.

Senior travelers, the town can be tackled as a day trip from Nuremberg, but, to really do it justice and to experience the romantically lit streets once most visitors have left, consider an overnight stay. -jeb