The New Residence (Neue Residenz) completes Bamberg's Cathedral Square alongside the cathedral and the Old Court, forming the core ensemble of the Domberg. Built in two phases-Renaissance wings to the rear and Baroque wings facing the square-it unites state rooms, the State Gallery and the Rose Garden, with short paths linking architecture, art and city views. [1][2][3][4][5][6]
Highlights
- State rooms & Imperial Hall: A sequence of richly decorated ceremonial rooms culminates in the Imperial Hall with large-scale ruler portraits and Baroque ceiling painting. [1][2][5]
- State Gallery & State Library: The complex houses the State Gallery (collections from the Bavarian State Painting Collections) and the Bamberg State Library. [2][5]
- Rose Garden: Behind the palace, the Rose Garden opens wide views over the city-an atmospheric counterpoint to the ornate interiors. [2][3]
- Central location: Right next to the cathedral and the Old Court-ideal for a compact Domberg circuit. [1][3]
History in brief
Construction proceeded in two stages: the Renaissance tract (early 17th century) created arcaded courts at the rear, while the Baroque expansion (late 17th-early 18th century) by Leonhard Dientzenhofer formed the four-wing front on Cathedral Square under Prince‑Bishop Lothar Franz von Schönborn. The New Residence replaced the Old Court as the main seat of the prince‑bishops until secularization. [1][2][4]
Architecture & rooms
The Renaissance sobriety of the back wings meets the Baroque grandeur of the square façades: strict sandstone rhythms outside lead to a sequence of halls and apartments inside, with stucco, wood floors, tapestries and paintings spanning several centuries. The Imperial Hall (ceiling painting by Melchior Steidl) offers a compact lesson in Baroque symbolism on the Domberg. [1][2][5]
Plan your visit
- Address: Domplatz 8, 96049 Bamberg-entrance on Cathedral Square. [1][3]
- Hours & tickets: Details may change; always consult the official page:
- Bavarian Palace Department - New Residence [1]
Nearby
About this page: editorial overview based solely on the linked sources. Last reviewed: 2025-11-04.
Sources
- https://www.schloesser.bayern.de/deutsch/schloss/objekte/bam_res.htm
- https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neue_Residenz_(Bamberg)
- https://www.bamberg.info/poi/neue_residenz_bamberg-4663/
- https://www.domberg-bamberg.de/news/artikel/neue-residenz-bamberg/
- https://museen-in-bayern.de/museen/detailseite-museum/staatsgalerie-in-der-neuen-residenz-bamberg
- https://museen.de/neue-residenz-bamberg.html