80,000 pop. + 14,000 students. In 1500 the monastery was built. Now is a hotel… but in between it was very good hospital noted for privacy and cleanliness… something that was unusual for the times.

City has been in existence since 902 but wasn’t recognized until 1007, by the dioceses.

Little Venice …along river began in 16th century.

There are 1523 stations of the cross in the city .

Wobbly walking man” is name in German for brew pub. The cathedral on the hill was built in

Romantic & gothic style ….. built in 1230. Beside it to the right is the Renaissance style of “court”and then again to the right, the humongous Baroque style with a rose garden overlooking was bishops residence. Wow!

Inside the cathedral is the oldest tomb of a pope north of the alps ….Pope Clement 2nd. Another is of Pope Henry 2nd and wife.. she could read & write Latin and do financials so was with him in the tomb….. very unusual.

There are 1400 historical buildings in the city.

The oldest living house was built in 1183.

During the 17 century many of the buildings were plastered over covering the half timbered building to make the city “less poor” looking. Little did they know!

The facade frescos one the outside walls of city hall was done in 1574 and redone again in 1960s. Magnificent!!!

According to legend the bishop of Bamberg did not grant the citizens any land for the construction of a town hall. This prompted the townsfolk to ram stakes into the river Regnitz to create an artificial island, on which they built the town hall they so badly wanted. The boot of a cherub is hanging our of the fresco wall. Amusing!

“Stumbling Stones” in the cobblestone sidewalks are in 90% of German cities …..almost everywhere except Munich, to identify and pay homage to the last Jew to live in that particular building before sent to a concentration camp….where they were exterminated… because you have to bow your head to look at it. Munich Jews do not want people walking on top of them so have none.