Burg

The Altenburg rises on a wooded sandstone plateau west of Bamberg's old town and stands as one of Franconia's oldest hilltop fortresses, with written records reaching back to 1109. After passing between prince-bishops and imperial cities for centuries, the castle fell into ruin following the Thirty Years' War before being partially restored in the 19th century as a destination for Romantic-era excursionists. The climb to the tower at around 400 metres pays off with a sweeping panorama over Bamberg's rooftops, its seven hill churches, and the rolling Franconian countryside beyond.