Bamberg Cathedral

Bamberg Cathedral stands in the heart of Bamberg, a town in Upper Franconia. It is a late Romanesque church with four tall towers, built in the 13th century. The cathedral was founded in 1002 by King Heinrich II and consecrated a century later. It belongs to the Archdiocese of Bamberg and has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. The cathedral holds the tombs of Emperor Heinrich II and Empress Kunigunde, the only canonised imperial couple. Their marble tomb was carved by Tilman Riemenschneider between 1499 and 1513. It also contains the only papal grave in Germany, that of Pope Clement II. Another famous work is the Bamberg Horseman, an equestrian statue from the 13th century. Inside, the cathedral has two choirs, one at each end. The eastern choir is Romanesque and dedicated to St George, while the western choir is Gothic and dedicated to St Peter. The western choir holds the grave of Pope Clement II and a gold-covered altarpiece from the 17th century. The nave shows a mix of Romanesque and Gothic styles, with pointed vaults and carved screens. The four towers rise above the town, offering views of the surrounding Franconian landscape.