Germany Altenburg Castle (Drone)

The Altenburg, one of the city's landmarks, sits enthroned on the highest of Bamberg's seven hills.

The castle was first mentioned in 1109 and was used as a refuge and defense castle at that time. In the 14th and 15th centuries it served as a richly furnished residence for the Bamberg bishops, but was almost completely destroyed in 1553 by Margrave Alfred Alcibiades of Brandenberg-Kulmbach during the Second Margrave War. Of the medieval buildings, only the 33 meter high keep from the 13th century and parts of the curtain wall remain. An iron basket still hangs on the upper part of the tower, with the help of which fire signals were transmitted in the direction of Giechburg (near Scheßlitz), 20 kilometers away. The Altenburg was rebuilt in the Romantic era. E.T.A. Hoffmann withdrew to one of the wall towers in 1812, as the name of the restaurant "Hoffmannsklause" in the new building of the former palace (1901/02) reminds us. The viewing terrace offers a panoramic view over the episcopal city of Bamberg and the surrounding area.