A jewel in the Roman Empire’s crown, Bamberg was offered as a family inheritance by the Holy Roman Emperor Henry II in 1007. The town became its own diocese and played a pivotal role in the introduction of Christianity in the region. In the following years the Pope would regularly visit Bamberg, and the city became the centre of the Holy Roman Empire for a short time.
In the mid-13th century, prince bishops oversaw huge growth in Bamberg, with construction beginning on a significant number of monumental buildings.
Bamberg’s history hasn’t all been growth and prosperity, with the town gaining infamy for hosting one of the largest witch trials in Europe. Roughly 1,000 victims were burned as part of these trials, and the famous Drudenhaus was built in 1627 to serve as a witch prison.
Today the town remains popular with visitors from within and outside Germany, looking to explore the longstanding charm of Bavaria.