Follow the signs to the magnificent Kaiserpfalz (Imperial Palace). Its Renaissance half-timbered projecting front is today described as 'one of the most important secular buildings of the High Gothic period in Franconia' The Kaiserpfalz is a castle belonging to the prince bishops of Bamberg.

It was constructed between 1350 and 1400. In the early Middle Ages when the king or emperor still had no fixed residences, Pfalzen [palaces] could be found throughout the country. The king travelled from Pfalz to Pfalz with his court retinue. Originally a smaller palace was completely surrounded by a moat. In the mid-16th century parts of the moat were filled in, and the west, north and south wings were then built.

A complex with four wings round an inner courtyard was thus created. At the beginning of the 20th century it was going to be dismantled, but zealous citizens succeeded in having the palace museum installed in the main building, and it was opened in 1911. The castle cellars have been converted into an unusual cafe. An ideal place to keep warm in the winter and cool in the summer. The more modern Verdun style fortress town walls can be seen nearby. There are pleasant walks through the parks that line the walls.

This photograph is of one of the stilted buildings that jut out into the river. It is a clever idea. If you have no more land to build an extension why not build out over the river. The carved wood on the corners of the building just add to the charming character of these half timbered medieval buildings.

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