Michaelsberg
High above the city, on one of Bamberg's seven hills, lies the former St. Michael's monastery complex with its 1,000-year-old monastery church, extensive orchards, vineyard, and Baroque terraced garden. It is owned by the Bamberg Citizens' Hospital Foundation. Find out more about how you can plan your visit to the monastery complex and learn about the history behind this impressive monastery landscape.
Please note that the monastery church is closed to visitors due to extensive renovation work.
Your visit
You can reach the monastery complex on foot via the “Panoramaweg” trail via Aufseßstraße/Benediktinerweg or Maienbrunnen. The city bus line 910 runs on weekdays from the central bus station (ZOB) to the “Klinikum Michelsberg” stop. Parking in the complex is only possible in the evenings and on weekends when visiting restaurants, etc.
Due to the general renovation of the monastery complex, visitors are currently unable to access the abbey church. The gardens, the monastery courtyard, and the viewing terrace are accessible at all times. Visits to the vineyard can be arranged as part of guided tours and events.
The history
Until secularization in 1803, the Benedictines determined monastic life on Michaelsberg and developed St. Michael's into one of the largest, most influential, and wealthiest monasteries in Europe. The legacy of this eventful history spanning more than 1,000 years is now in our hands. After the high risk of collapse of the church became known in 2012, visitors have only been able to visit the monastery courtyard and gardens until the completion of construction work.
