In Bamberg, every step you take is a postcard.

Let's start with my first sight of Bamberg. Observing the Obere Brücke (the upper bridge) from a lookout point, my attention was quickly diverted from the amazing Old city hall and the people posing for pictures, to an old man who was standing beside the bridge, surrounded by his works, all of them being paintings from Bamberg's idyllic scenery.

I realised in that very moment that no one was interested in him, but he kept doing his thing. "Can I take a picture of you?".
He looked at me and nodded without even saying a word. I appreciated his silent painting and understood that in life we must do that which makes us happy without caring so much about other people's opinions. It sounds as an easy undertaking, but it actually isn't.

Die Obere Brücke over the river Regnitz.

The old man kept painting in silence as if the world had stopped spinning.

The old man's works on display near the Upper Bridge.

Located in Upper Franconia on the river Regnitz, Bamberg is very popular among tourists. The city center is listed on the Unesco World Heritage Sites, and there's literally a church or a building of remarkable architecture around every corner.

A Catholic stronghold, Bamberg (and the entire region) is a territory marked by religious structures, the great majority of them in Baroque style. Churches, chapels, paintings and icons seem to be as natural to the landscape as trees and flowers.

Under the Upper Bridge.

Old city hall and Upper bridge.

The Green Market, within the pedestrian area, is always lively and crowded. Crowned in the center by a fountain of Neptune, called by the city's inhabitants as "Fork man", there's always someone selling fresh fruits, vegetables or delicious bratwursts.

Grandma and me ♥ I'm so happy she joined us for the city exploration day.

Bamberg is also referred to as the 'Rome of the North' and some people even compare the city with Prague. How come? Well, just like Rome, Bamberg was built  on  seven hills and it's inherently catholic. In spite of comparisons, I believe Bamberg shines with a light of its own, being one of Franconia's most lively cities and having traditions that are nowhere to be found, but here.

One of them is the Schlenkerla, which is a smoked beer that tastes quite funny; I would say it's almost like eating bacon.

Little Venice is the nickname of the fisherman's neighbourhood in Bamberg.

Another example is the Sandkerwa, which is one of Bavaria's most important festivals. Sandkerwa is celebrated on August and the pinnacle is the 'Fischerstechen', the water jousting with the splendid backdrop of Little Venice.

These guys were celebrating a Junggesellenabschied, a stag party, on the streets of the city. It consisted on accomplishing challenges that were often a bit embarrassing. My brother was happy to sing and dance with them to a mexican folk song.

The impressive fresco paintings of the Old city hall and Little Venice on the background.

Self-portrait in Bamberg.

The construction of the cathedral began in the 11th century and it is one of Germany's most prominent structures built in Romanesque style.

Maybe you recognise this building from the last version of 'The three Musketeers', filmed almost entirely in Bavaria.

The rooftops of Bamberg.

St. Michael church as seen from the rose garden.

On our way downhill from the cathedral, it started to rain cats and dogs. It wasn't possible to keep exploring the city because it was pouring and also because my grandma was already very tired, so we decided to seek refuge at a café.

Sitting on the terrace and warming up with cozy blankets that the café staff disposed for their clients, we sipped on some tea (in my case it was an ice cream) and enjoyed the view of the Regnitz.

Bamberg is precisely that: heavenly and earthbound.

Astrid.

Follow me:
instagram: @spiegeleyetravel
Facebook: SpiegelEye travel blog
contact: astrid_14893@hotmail.com