Bamberg - Coburg - Ehrenburg Castle

Route: Nuremberg - Bamberg - Coburg - Ehrenburg Castle - Nuremberg
Duration: 8 h
Our first stop in this tour will be at the city Bamberg which is located on the seven hills and where narrow lanes, baroque and romantic facades, mediaeval flair and the magic of the centuries make city very interested for our visit. Bamberg's nicknames - the "Seven Hill City" or "Franconian Rome" - refer to the part of the city situated on the hills. Cathedral Hill was the spiritual and secular centre of power in the diocese of Bamberg from the 11th century until 1802. This is where some of Bamberg's best-known and prominent buidings are located, including the Imperial Cathedral, the baroque New Residence, the Old Court and Michelsberg Monastery. Additional striking features in this district are the former monasteries of St. Stephan and St. Jacob and the Parish "Church of Our Lady" (Upper Parish). Altenburg Castle which towers above the city, the greenery of the hills and the church spires, which can be spotted from afar, are typical landmarks of Bamberg. Also in the city you will see the homes of tradesmen alternated with breweries, bourgeois houses and even palatial edifices. The four-spire cathedral perched on top of one of Bamberg's seven hills is the true heart of the town and the most significant work of art in the region. St. Peter's and St. George's Cathedral was founded by Emperor Heinrich II. who established the bishopric of Bamberg in 1007. Ranking among the most important sights are the papal tomb of Clemens II., the only papal tomb north of the Alps to be recognised by the Vatican, and of course the Bamberg Horseman. Despite lengthy research, the identity of both the statue and its sculptor still remain a mystery. Next we will visit to Coburg, the beautiful North Bavarian town, is situated between the Upper Main Valley and the Thuringian Forest. Thanks to the dukes who once lived in the town this erstwhile seat of royal power now enjoys a unique heritage of art treasures and beautiful buildings. But it was the former Sax-Coburg and Gotha duchy’s cunning marriage politics that earned it world renown. Many famous people have spent time here: Richard Strauss, Hektor Berlioz, Nicolo Paganini, Franz Liszt, Friedrich Rückert, Jean Paul,  Queen Victoria and Martin Luther. Luther sought refuge in the Veste Coburg fortress for some six months whilst the king of the waltz Johann Strauss relinquished his Austrian citizenship and became a citizen of Coburg – all for the love of his life. During our visit you will see the top highlights of Coburg like Coburg Fortress, Callenberg Palace and  Ehrenburg Palace. Next we will visit to Ehrenburg Palace, the town residence of the Coburg dukes, fronts the Palace Square (Schlossplatz) today as a building in the Neo-Gothic style of the 19th century. Behind the façades, however, is a palace with a 450-year history. In the 16th century, Duke Johann Ernst (r. 1541-1553) from the Ernestine line of the House of Wettin moved his court from the Veste down into the town. Here he built a three-winged residence in the style of the Renaissance on the site of a Franciscan monastery dissolved during the Reformation. After its completion in 1547, Emperor Karl V is said to have given the palace the name of “Ehrenburg” (castle of honour), because it was built without compulsory labour. Following the turmoil of the Thirty Years’ War and a fire, the palace was expanded from 1690 under Duke Albrecht (r. 1680-1699) and transformed into a Baroque residence. The lavish stucco-work by Upper Italian masters in some of the rooms, the Court Church and the magnificent Hall of Giants date from this period.  After we return to Nuremberg.
Price: per person