Bamberg Cathedral

Bamberg Cathedral (Cathedral of Sts. Peter and George) is a Romanesque cathedral in Bamberg, Bavaria, Germany, founded by Emperor Henry II in the early 11th century. It is a major ecclesiastical building and a central monument in Bamberg’s historic town centre.

Imperial and papal tombs from the 11th century and the famous 13th-century equestrian sculpture known as the “Bamberg Horseman.” The cathedral is dominated by four towers and sits on the Domberg, forming a focal point of the UNESCO-listed Old Town of Bamberg.

The original cathedral was founded by Henry II and consecrated in the early 11th century; the present Romanesque-Gothic structure reflects rebuilding and additions made in the 11th to 13th centuries following fires and reconstructions. Its sculptures, tombs and architecture record the cathedral’s role as an imperial church.

Positioned on a hill in Bamberg’s historic centre, the cathedral overlooks the Regnitz River and is within walking distance of the city’s major squares and bridges.

• Papal tomb: The cathedral contains the only papal tomb located in Germany, that of Pope Clement II (d. 1047).
• Important sculpture: The 13th-century sculpted figure "Bamberg Horseman" is a notable early Gothic monument and a key attraction inside the cathedral.

What to See #

• Imperial tombs: Home of the imperial tombs of Emperor Henry II and Pope Clement II, with elaborate sculpted sarcophagi dating to the 11th century.
• Bamberg Horseman: The 13th-century equestrian statue known as the "Bamberg Horseman" is placed on the cathedral's south transept and is an important medieval sculptural work.
• Towers and location: Four towers dominate the cathedral's silhouette; the cathedral sits on the Domberg hill above the Regnitz river in Bamberg's old town.