The exuberance of 18th-century design is on display at the Seehof Palace, the former summer residence of the Bamberg prince-bishops. From sculpted fantasies to the paintings and molding of the interior rooms, it sometimes seems as though every bit of the palace is designed to please and overwhelm. Head away from the narrow streets of Bamberg Old Town to the countryside, where a genteel grace reigns in the palace as well as the gardens that surround it.
The character of the place is evident at the entrance, where five huge wrought iron gates are flanked by lion statues set on pillars. Admire the symmetrical regularity of the four octagonal corner towers, each topped with a pierced ball ornament.
Spot the sculptures scattered throughout the gardens, a small remnant of the nearly 400 figures that once decorated the grounds. Many were sold off in the 1760s during secularization.
Nine rooms of the palace are open to the public. On the tour, admire the sheer effort that went into turning each of the areas into complete works of art. Gaze up in the White Hall to appreciate Guiseppe Appiani’s ceiling paintings.
Head back outside to watch a water display in the fountains behind the palace.
Seehof Palace is located in Memmelsdorfjust, a small town outside Bamberg. Regular bus connections from Bamberg Hauptbahnhof take 30 minutes to get to the castle from the city. Drive here in 15 minutes. Take the train or drive from Nuremberg in about an hour. On-site parking is available for a fee.
The palace is open to visitors from Tuesday to Sunday in the warmer months during regular business hours, but closes during winter. Water shows take place every hour on the hour from May to October. The interior can only be visited on the ticketed guided tours, which are conducted in German and last about 45 minutes. English flyers are available.
