Bamberg

Bamberg, a Bavarian city, in Upper Franconia, beautifully situated on the banks of the Regnitz, 3 miles above its confluence with the Main, and 33 N. of Nuremberg by rail. Set in the midst of vineyards, orchards, and hop-gardens, and founded about 769, from 1007 to 1802 it was the seat of independent prince-bishops. The most noteworthy of its fourteen churches is the cathedral, a magnificent edifice in the Romanesque style, founded by the Emperor Henry II. in 1004, and thoroughly restored in 1828-37. It has five towers, and contains, among other monuments, the elaborately carved tomb of the founder and his empress, Cunigunda. There are several other fine ecclesiastical structures of early date, and opposite the cathedral is the palace (1702) of the former prince-bishops, from one of whose windows Marshal Berthier (q.v.) met his death. St Michael's Benedictine abbey (1009) was in 1803 converted into an almshouse. The ruins of the castle of Altenburg, originally the seat of the Counts of Babenberg, and the scene of many important historical events, stand on an eminence $1\backslash frac\{1\}\{4\}$ miles from the town. The educational institutions of Bamberg are numerous. Pop. (1871) 25,738; (1890) 35,815; chiefly engaged in the manufacture of beer which is famous throughout Germany, cotton, cloth, gloves, tobacco, musical instruments, &c. A large export trade in liquorice and garden-seeds is carried on. Albrecht Pfister, one of the earliest printers, was practising his art at Bamberg in 1461.