Old and New Residences, Bamberg 2001
Alte Hofhaltung, Neue Residenz

As a bishop's cathedral city, Bamberg had to have a residence for the bishop, his retinue, and any illustrious visitors. King Heinrich II and Queen Kunigund often stayed in Bamberg. Even the current pope numbered among their visitors. The Old Residence or Alte Hofhaltung was a large complex of stone buildings around a courtyard lined with half-timber buildings and balconies. It is in the late gothic style and is probably almost as old as the cathedral. The New Residence (Neue Residenz) was built in the barock style between 1697 and 1703. The rooms in the New Residence are painted with beautiful frescos. Behind the residence a rose garden looks down on the city of Bamberg.

Old residence - outside
 The Old Residence or Alte Hofhaltung with its gothic stone buildings.

Half-timbered buildings with balconies in the inner courtyard of the Old Residence.
Inner courtyard of Old Residence
Half-timbered buildings in the Old Residence
 Inner courtyard of the Old Residence.

The half-timbered buildings in detail.
Old Residence courtyard
Corner stairway in courtyard of Old Residence

An open stairway in a corner of the courtyard of the Old Residence. The buildings are now used as a museum and exhibition centre.
A dormer and balcony in the Old Residence. The doors were probably used to haul furniture up into the upper floors - the stairways were too narrow.
A dormer window in the Old Residence
Carved balcony and flowerboxes in the Old Residence
 A beautifully carved and painted balcony in the Old Residence.
A carved face decorating a wooden beam of a balcony in the courtyard of the Old Residence. It is lovely old buildings full of surprises and nostalgia. A carved face - Old Residence
New Residence seen through the gateway into Old Residence
 Looking at the New Residence (Neue Residenz) through the gateway into the Old Residence courtyard.
Left wing of the New Residence from the steps up to the cathedral. The New Residence was build between 1697 and 1703. The architectural style is barock. The interior is beautifully decorated but photos are not allowed. New Residence from the cathedral steps
Right wing of New Residence
 The right wing of the New Residence from the cathedral steps. The New Residence is used as concert hall for the Bamberg Orchestra, exhibits, library and museum.
Looking down on old buildings in Bamberg from the New Residence gardens. Bamberg from New Residence garden
Peace rose in New Residence gardens

A Peace Rose (Gloria Dei) in the gardens of the New Residence.

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November 19, 2013
©copyright 2001, 2004 Vicki Sherwood

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