Just What the Doctor Ordered!

Sorry for disappearing........ concussion, internet problems and a quickie trip to Bamberg caused temporary amnesia but Bamberg was just what the doctor ordered! 

This is a sketch of some of the most famous sights of the city of Bamberg: the famous old town hall, the magnificent arch above the cathedral door, Altenburg, the Gabelmann (a famous statue in a fountain), the Alte Hofhaltung, Michelsberg, the Bamberger Reiter and most importantly beer! 

In my sketch you can see one of Bamberg’s most famous beers '' Schlenkerla'' smoked beer! Legend has it that while drying the malt necessary for brewing beer over an open fire, the malt got burnt, the brewer used it anyway and so smoked beer was born (not for the faint hearted! It tastes like drinking bacon). Bamberg is the beer capital of Germany producing 400 craft beers at 60 independent breweries, and as beer is used here for medicinal purposes, I definitely needed some for my head wound. 

This was my first of the trip at my favourite beer garden, you would never believe that you are in the middle of the city, would you? 

Bamberg is a UNESCO cultural heritage city with so much to see, and even more to sketch (between beers!). Let’s start with the famous Bamberg Reiter in my sketch, to be found in the cathedral. The cathedral dates from 1012 and the statue is mid 13th century; although it has become so famous no one really knows who the proud figure mounted on his steed is. Modern research suggests it may be King Stephen II of Hungary. 

And a side view of the cathedral which houses not only the Bamberger Reiter but also the only remaining grave of a pope outside of Italy! Pope Clemens II is buried in Bamberg, although he was pope for only one year he refused to give up his Bamberg bishopric and was returned after his death to '' his beloved bride'' Bamberg. Wow, what a tribute! Maybe as a monk he was involved in brewing beer and fell in love with the city that celebrates beer like no other.