During my stay in Bamberg, I also visited what is probably the only town hall in Germany that stands in the middle of a river. According to legend, the Old Town Hall was built as the boundary between the episcopal and civic towns. Since the Bishop of Bamberg did not give the citizens any space for a town hall, the people of Bamberg rammed hundreds of oak piles into the Regnitz River and created an artificial island on which they erected the building. I was immediately fascinated by the Old Town Hall, which is located between the mountain and island towns on the left arm of the Regnitz River. The beautiful facade paintings are particularly impressive. These were originally created by Johann Anwander and were restored several times between 1959 and 1962 by the artist Anton Greiner. I marveled at the illusionist paintings on both sides of the building, which lend plasticity through false architecture. It seemed to me as if an angel’s leg was protruding from the wall frescoes as a sculpture. The facade of the bridge tower features stylish Rococo balconies with coats of arms above them, created by the artist Joseph Bonaventura Mutschele. The town hall was first mentioned in 1387, but fell victim to a city fire. The current building was constructed between 1461 and 1467. The Old Town Hall is a Gothic building that houses the representative Rococo Hall on the upper floor and, on the ground floor, the porcelain and faience collection of Peter and Irene Ludwig, world-class masterpieces from the most famous manufacturers of the 18th century, from Meissen to Strasbourg. The view under the right arch of the bridge to the banks of the Regnitz with its romantic little houses is beautiful. This picturesque settlement is also known as Little Venice. The Old Town Hall in Bamberg is not only an eye-catcher, but has also become a landmark of Bamberg. Like many others, I photographed this impressive building, which is so fascinatingly enthroned in the water and is a very popular photo motif. The Old Town Hall is a real sight to behold, unrivalled in its beauty.
