Altenburg

In the location's words:

On the highest of Bamberg's seven hills stands Altenburg Castle, one of the city's most striking landmarks.

The castle was first mentioned in 1109 and served as a place of protection and refuge. In the 14th and 15th centuries, it was a magnificent residence of the Bamberg bishops until it was almost completely destroyed by Margrave Albrecht Alcibiades of Brandenburg-Kulmbach during the Second Margrave War in 1553. All that remains of the medieval complex today is the 33-metre-high keep from the 13th century and parts of the curtain wall. There is an iron basket on the tower, which was once used to transmit fire signals to Giechburg Castle, 20 kilometers away.

Altenburg Castle was rebuilt during the Romantic period. In 1812, the writer E.T.A. Hoffmann retreated to one of the towers, which is commemorated today by the name of the restaurant "Hoffmannsklause" in the new building of the former palace (1901/02). The viewing terrace offers an impressive panoramic view of the episcopal city of Bamberg and the surrounding countryside.

This content has been machine translated.