Bamberg

When we found out that we were moving to Europe, we originally thought we would be moving to the city of Bamberg. However, about two months later (after we found out) our location was changed to where we are now. So we decided to take a weekend and check out Bamberg. Matt also had other motives, since we could stay on base at Bamberg, and there is also a golf course!

The first place we went to was The "Dom", which I think translates too Cathedral but I am not sure. This Dom was named twice, once as St. Peter and then again as St. James or John...I can't remember which. But during the years it just became the Dom. It was built oirginally in 1014, and then slowly added upon through the years by the Prince Bishop's of this region. The original parts of the building are still used today, it is cool to see.

The Dom is HUGE, I tried to take a whole picture of the entire building, but I couldn't fit it all in. Here I am standing maybe 2 blocks away, and I still can't get it all to fit. It is a sight to behold, with four huge steeples to match the ones in that are shown in the picture. It boasts of being one of Germany's finest medieval chapels.

It was fun to see, and we also got to see the crypt of the Emperor Henry ll

While there we toured our first German Palace. It is called the Neue Residenz, or the Residence. This was not the home of Emperor Henry ll, but of later rulers. A succession of Dukes that were also Bishops in the Catholic Church. They, as the ruling parties in the area, called themselves the Prince Bishop's. This room is a personal sitting room. I loved the floors, and the big white statue looking thing is actually a warming oven. They were all so ornate, set in grooves in the wall that were embellished. There is a small door in the outer hall that leads to the inside of these ovens. That way servants can put the wood or fuel in the oven without being seen, and the Prince's can stay warm.

I love old European ceilings.

Miss Anya, Check out the floors, all hand laid and original. They were gorgeous, and got more ornate as you went closer to the throne room and personal apartments. If you look at the floors in the first photo with the warming stove, you will see what I mean. That picture was taken in the dressing or sitting room of the Prince's wife. The floor is very ornate, all done by hand by wood carvers, and original. They have you walk on carpet strips to protect the floors.

This palace boasted of beautiful and ornate Rose gardens

Here is Cora in the Rose Garden's.

Doesn't she look like a flower pixie.

It was a fun trip, but we discovered that Bamberg is Huge, and we are not used to living in a "big city". We decided that we were happy with the change of location. While we live in the "country", there are some robust town's 5 minutes away from us, and the big cities are maybe 15 to 20 minutes away. So, we can go to a city, but enjoy the quiet of country living.