Obere Pfarre (Church of Our Lady), Bamberg

The Church of Our Lady in Bamberg is a stunning Gothic Roman Catholic parish church located in the Bamberg West pastoral care area within the Bamberg Deanery of the Bamberg Diocese. With a rich history dating back to the 12th century, the church holds significant religious and artistic treasures that make it a notable landmark in the region.

One of the most remarkable features of the Church of Our Lady is the miraculous image of Mary with child, which is housed in the high altar. This sacred image holds great reverence among the faithful. Additionally, the church boasts an altarpiece that was originally part of the grand Marian altar in the Bamberg Cathedral. This altarpiece showcases the exquisite painting of the Assumption of Mary, created by the renowned Italian artist Jacopo Robusti, better known as Tintoretto.

The origins of the parish can be traced back to the personal church of the Counts of Babenberg. The Franconian line of the Babenbergs ceased to exist in 906, and the church was first mentioned in a document by Bishop Egilbert around 1140. In 1304, the upper parish came under the jurisdiction of the cathedral chapter, but after disputes, it was once again awarded to the chapter in 1401.

The construction of the Church of Our Lady started in 1338, with indications of planning as early as the late 13th century, and the nave was consecrated in 1387.

The construction of the soaring choir in the Church of Our Lady began in 1392, evidenced by an inscription on the Sacrament House. While no additional records of the construction's progress exist, it is estimated that the building was completed by 1450 at the latest, potentially delayed by the Hussite invasions and subsequent disputes from 1431 to 1437.