Attraction: Bamberg’s Old Court Complex offers an impressive medieval setting
Want to experience an impressive medieval setting? Then visit the Old Court (Alte Hofhaltung) Bamberg. It is located at Cathedral Square, right next to Bamberg Cathedral and opposite the New Residence. Through the Beautiful Gate (Schöne Pforte) – which lives up to its name – you enter the spacious inner courtyard. Despite the many visitors, a remarkable tranquility prevails there.
Let the size of the courtyard and the medieval buildings sink in. You are instantly transported back to a long-forgotten era. More than 1,000 years of history surround you here. All that’s missing is the clatter of horses’ hooves on the cobblestones. You can also admire a long row of half-timbered houses as well as buildings in the Renaissance style.
History: More than 1,000 Years of Eventful History at the Alte Hofhaltung
The Old Court looks back on more than 1,000 years of history. Over the following centuries, additions and extensions were regularly made – including the current Renaissance buildings, which date back to 1577. The impressive ensemble served as a residence for the bishops. Through the Beautiful Gate, built in 1568, you enter the mighty inner courtyard, framed by romantic half-timbered buildings.
Heinrich II had the Old Court built as an imperial residence. Later, other occupants moved in – and the proximity to the cathedral reveals who that was: the prince-bishops. They lived here for many generations before moving to the New Residence. No wonder, then, that these walls witnessed power struggles, intrigues, murders and executions.
In 1208, the first regicide in German history took place here. The Hohenstaufen king Philip of Swabia had come to attend his niece’s wedding. After undergoing a bloodletting – common practice at the time – he was resting, weakened and unarmed. At that moment, Otto von Wittelsbach burst into the room and drove his sword into his chest. As punishment, the judges declared him an outlaw – a few months later his life came to an end. His executioners beheaded him, threw his head into a river and kept his body in a barrel for years. The walls of the Old Court in Bamberg have much to tell.
Special Tips: Festival Performances in One of Franconia’s Most Beautiful Venues
Today, the main building of the Old Court houses the Historical Museum Bamberg. There you can gain an insight into the rich cultural heritage of this UNESCO World Heritage city.
If you visit Bamberg in summer, you will experience the Old Court in a very special atmosphere. The medieval inner courtyard transforms into a perfect stage for theatrical performances. With 600 seats and the ambiance of the Renaissance buildings, it ranks among the most beautiful open-air stages in Franconia. This is where the Calderon Festival takes place – an outstanding cultural experience. You can choose between classic and modern performances, including the regularly staged “The Broken Jug” („Der zerbrochene Krug”) by Kleist. The festival starts every year at the end of June. So make sure to book your tickets in good time at the ETA Hoffmann Theater Bamberg.
Surroundings: Numerous Sights in Bamberg’s Old Town
Around the Old Court, a wealth of further sights awaits you. We briefly introduce the most important ones here – you can also find detailed information in the separate Places. The entire Bamberg Old Town holds the title of UNESCO World Cultural Heritage and reflects the organically grown structure of a medieval city. As you stroll through its streets and lanes, you encounter a blend of the High Middle Ages and the Baroque. More than 1,200 listed buildings have been preserved to this day.
The Old Town Hall Bamberg is one of the most prominent buildings. If you find the time, you simply have to see it. And it will feel instantly familiar, as it ranks among the most popular and most photographed subjects in Germany. It was built between 1461 and 1467 on an island in the Regnitz.
A part of the Bamberg Old Town bears the name Island City. Fittingly, you can even ride there in an original gondola from Venice. And you can visit Little Venice. Little Venice is a former fishing settlement situated along the Regnitz in Bamberg’s Island Town. You will love the romantic view of the densely built, small half-timbered houses from the Middle Ages.
Right next to the Old Court stands Bamberg Cathedral. It dates back to the year 1012 and is one of the seven Imperial Cathedrals of Germany.
And belonging to the Old Court is the New Residence, located directly opposite on Domplatz. From 1603 onwards, the Bamberg prince-bishops moved from the old building to the new one. The New Residence is a magnificent Baroque building. It is highly recommended to also visit the splendid interior rooms.
