Built on Seven Hills, and Home of the Famous Smoke Beer
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By GERRY and PAMELA BARKER
North Palm Beach Life November, 2019. Today finds us in Bamberg, coined the "Franconian Rome" because it's built on seven hills, each with its own church (tour guides joke it's really the "Italian Bamberg"). We'll be touring Old Town, which has earned UNESCO World Heritage Site standing. With its setting among rivers and canals, it charms visitors around every corner. Bamberg is also famous for its "Smoke Beer" -- more on that later. Hope you've got your coat and gloves on -- it's another cold day. Let's go! Photos by North Palm Beach Life |
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This is the Old Town Hall, built in 1386. It spans Regnitz River, and is famolus for its colorful wall paintings. We walk through and continue our tour on the other side. |
This is the famous Bamberg Cathedral, which dates back to 1002 AD. It houses many well-known relics and art treasures, including the sculpture to the right, the Bamberg Horseman, whose identity scholars are still trying to determine. |
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This is the rose garden adjacent to the New Residence, used by the prince bishops until the 1800s. It features over 4,500 rose bushes set in angular beds, ringed by lime trees. |
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Our tour guide points out the sights of Bamberg as we get great views of the city from the garden walls. |
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Now about that "smoke beer" -- this is where it was made famous, Schlenkeria brewery. Dating from 1405, six generations have run the business, which produces their beer by "kilning. -- drying the grain over an open fire, giving the beer its smoky flavor. A member of our tour group bought a few bottles and we all had a taste at dinner. The verdict? For most of us, let's just say it's an acquired taste. |
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At the end of the tour, they served us a cup of hot wine -- think wassel but more potent. It sure helped take the chill off!
As we headed back to the tour bus, we didn't expect to see this -- a Mexican restaurant in the heart of Bamberg. We made a note for next time. |
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