Bamberg Cathedral and Square, Bamberg (must see)

Bamberg Cathedral commands the heart of the city from Cathedral Hill, where its four soaring towers define the skyline. Founded by Emperor Henry II and consecrated in 1012, the cathedral symbolizes Bamberg’s emergence as an important spiritual and political center of the Holy Roman Empire. After a devastating fire in the 13th century, it was rebuilt in a late Romanesque–early Gothic style, giving the structure its distinctive mix of round arches and pointed vaults. Throughout the centuries, it remained the seat of Bamberg’s powerful prince-bishops and the focal point of religious life in the region.

Inside the cathedral lie two remarkable tombs of great historical significance. The first belongs to Emperor Henry II and Empress Cunigunde, Bamberg’s imperial founders, immortalized in an exquisite marble sarcophagus. The second is the tomb of Pope Clement II, the only pope buried north of the Alps. The interior also houses the famous Bamberg Horseman, a mysterious 13th-century equestrian statue whose identity — king, knight, or saint — remains a subject of debate.

Beyond its interior treasures, the cathedral opens onto its namesake square, one of the most atmospheric places in Bamberg. Ringed by historic buildings such as the Old Court and the New Residence, the square once served as the ceremonial stage for imperial visits and religious processions. Today, its spacious cobblestones offer visitors a striking vantage point to admire the cathedral’s sculpted portals, especially the ornate Prince’s Portal with its biblical figures and expressive carvings.

The cathedral does not try to hide, thanks to its soaring 81 meter high towers. When you see them, do not hide your awe. Get closer, step inside and dream away at all the possibilities the cathedral offers.