Bamberg is famous for being the heart of the Enlightenment in southern Germany in the late 18th century (both Hegel and Hoffmann lived here). It also has a medieval town center that has been beautifully preserved and was named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1993. There are a lot of different types of buildings here, from Gothic and Renaissance to Baroque and Neoclassical. The buildings are spread out in three different areas: the town of the bishop, the town on the island, and the town of the market gardens.

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Of all the buildings in Bamberg, the Romanesque-Gothic cathedral of St. Peter and St. George is the most famous. It’s where the famous Bamberg Horseman statue is kept, as well as the tombs of Henry II and Cunigunde and the only papal grave in Germany. Other important buildings to see include the town hall, the tanners’ cottages, and “Little Venice,” a former fishing village with half-timbered houses and small gardens. Be sure to try Bamberg’s famous smoked beer before you leave if you like suds.