Altenburg

The Altenburg, one of the city's landmarks, is enthroned on the highest of Bamberg's seven hills.

The castle was first mentioned in 1109 and at that time was used as a refuge and fortress. In the 14th and 15th centuries, it served as a richly furnished residence for the Bamberg bishops, but was almost completely destroyed by Margrave Alfred Alcibiades von Brandenberg-Kulmbach in 1553 during the Second Margrave War. Of the medieval building stock, only the 33-meter-high keep from the 13th century and parts of the circular wall have been preserved. An iron basket still hangs from the upper part of the tower, which used to be used to transmit fire signals in the direction of Giechburg Castle (near Scheßlitz), 20 kilometers away. The Altenburg was rebuilt in the Romantic era. In 1812, E.T.A. Hoffmann retired to one of the wall towers, which is commemorated by the name of the restaurant "Hoffmannsklause" in the new building of the former Palas (1901/02). The observation terrace offers a panoramic view of the bishop's town of Bamberg and the surrounding countryside that is well worth seeing.