Bamberg - lifesagambol

🐐THE GAMBOL

October 26, 2026 • 📍Bamberg, Germany • 🚢 Rhine & Main Explorer +

📇 THE STORY

Ever since we have found out about the egg of the day and that we missed the huevos rancheros, we have been waiting…. and waiting… and waiting. We were a bit late coming down to breakfast this morning, but our new friends from Canada (and not just any Canada, the west coast of Canada), Ron and Jane, had saved us a seat. Jane was not eating her usual water based oatmeal; Ron not eating his omelette… Huevos Rancheros day had arrived!!!!

The ship had docked overnight in Zell am Main. We are to take a bus into Bamberg for the day, then take a bus to meet the ship in Bamberg. Apparently there are many locks between Zell am Main and Bamberg. Feeling like the Clampetts, we loaded the bus and headed out to Bamberg, home of the Rauchbier.

Michael, from Wales, was our guide to the city of Bamberg. It was a beautiful day to be out and about. Not quite warm enough for no coat, but at least I didn’t need the Beaver from home. That would have been interesting trying to pack that big ol fur coat!🤣 We passed by the old hospital on our way into the city, down windy roads. Jim was up ahead, I was left to my own devices.. You know what that means? Yep, I was placing stickers by myself. Well, really only 1 of them. On Elizabethen Strasse, which led to St. Elisabeth Kirche

Moving on, we passed by the most famous place where the Rauchbier is served. I wonder, do the tour guides get a kickback for taking us to/by these places when we are told, “This is the best place to eat, drink, by lederhosen, buy lebkuchen….” Or do they really mean it? Our guide Michael is from the group Geschichte für Alle. I only mention this because this group has a binder with photos to show us close up what the building or area or zoomed in area they want to show us. I have had tours in the past where the guide might have had 1 or 2 photographs.. but this is a binder like one we make before we travel anywhere, and all the guides have them, which is really neither here, nor there, but I just thought it interesting.

We toured the outside of the Bamberg Cathedral, orignially constructed in 1007 and finished in 1012. After several fires, was rebuilt in the 13th C in the Romanesque-Gothic style. My favorite story, myth, legend heard was that of Emperor Heinrich II and Empress Kunigunde. The version we were told: Heinrich and Kunigunde ruled equally and shared the power of ruling the people. This made certain men a bit grumpy, so when Heinrich was out warring, the heads of state accused Kunigunde of adultery. Her punishment? To walk barefoot over hot coals. If she came away unhurt, she was innocent, otherwise, she killed. Well guess what? Kunigunde walked over those coals and was not burned, and continued to rule with her husband. They never had any children and both became saints.

Another interesting feature of the cathedral, besides the fact that Pope Clement II is buried there, is the Princely door on the side. It is said that a daughter of Bamberg royalty was of age to get married and wanted to be impressed. I think it was St. Stephen, I don’t remember, came riding through the door on his white horse, and the rest is history! Or not… just depends on if you want to be romantic.

The Rathaus or town hall is built across the water. It is said, the townspeople went to the prince and asked to have a Rathaus. He told them yes, but he would not give them any land for it…

Free time and we were off in search of Rauch bier. Inherently smoky. Some say it smells and tastes like salami. I think it is okay, but not my favorite!

Back to the ship, such a shorter trip since the ship had arrived in Bamberg. We had lunch napped, had tea, and then dinner. Jim and I missed the talk on WW2.