The Bamberg Rose Garden (Rosengarten) is a Baroque–Rococo garden set in the inner courtyard of the New Residence (Neue Residenz), atop the cathedral hill of Bamberg's UNESCO-listed old town. Its present form was begun in 1733 to designs by the celebrated architect Balthasar Neumann, and today its box-edged beds hold around 4,500 rosebushes of some 50 varieties. Highlights include the sculptures by court sculptor Ferdinand Tietz, a Rococo pavilion now serving as a café, and sweeping views over the old town and the Michaelsberg monastery from the terrace balustrade. As of 2026 admission to the garden remains free, and it is at its most beautiful in early summer when the roses are in full bloom.
Symmetrical, box-hedged beds with a central fountain, planted with roughly 4,500 roses of about 50 varieties
Sculptures by court sculptor Ferdinand Tietz (1760/61) of putti and Roman deities such as Jupiter, Juno, Apollo and Venus (copies in the garden; the originals are kept inside the residence)
A Rococo garden pavilion of 1756/57, likely designed by Michael Küchel, which today houses a café
Panoramic views over Bamberg's old town and the Michaelsberg monastery from the terrace balustrade
The Baroque layout shaped by Balthasar Neumann, with the axial system of paths refined from 1755 onward
Good to know
SeasonRoses generally peak from June to early July. In winter the beds are cut back and there is little to see, so time your visit for early summer if you want the full bloom.
RulesEntry to the Rose Garden is free but it follows the New Residence's seasonal hours (Apr 1–Oct 3 daily 9am–6pm; Oct 4–Mar daily 10am–4pm). It can occasionally close all day for events, so check the official site for the latest opening and closure notices before you go.
MannersKeep to the paths, do not step into the beds, and do not pick the roses. It is a quiet garden next to the cathedral and a monastery, so keep noise down.
SafetyThe cathedral hill (Domberg) is reached by an uphill, cobbled walk and the old-town lanes are also cobblestone, so wear comfortable low-heeled shoes. It is about a 20–25 minute uphill walk from Bamberg's main station.
CautionThe garden is free, so decline anyone who tries to charge an entry fee. Tickets for the interior of the New Residence are sold only at the on-site cash desk; no ticket is needed to enter the garden.
SafetyBamberg is a relatively safe small city, but in summer crowds around the cathedral square and the station, keep valuables and your passport in a front pocket and stay alert to pickpockets.
Practical info
The garden is about a 20–25 minute uphill walk from Bamberg's main railway station, or reachable by city bus; frequent trains from Nuremberg and Würzburg make a Bayern-Ticket or Deutschland-Ticket handy for getting here. The Rose Garden is free to enter, while the interior of the New Residence is ticketed (2026: about €7 regular / €6 reduced, under-18s free); always confirm current prices and opening times on the official website.
On-site reviews📍 Verified on-site
No reviews yet. If you are here, be the first to leave one.
