Informationszentrum am Michaelsberg

About the museum

The former Benedictine abbey of St. Michael stands on the Michaelsberg, one of Bamberg's seven hills. It includes the more than 1,000-year-old abbey church, orchard meadows, a vineyard and a Baroque terraced garden. Until secularisation in 1803 the Benedictines shaped life here and made St. Michael one of the largest and wealthiest monastic complexes in Europe. The complex then passed to the newly founded Bürgerspitalstiftung, which moved Bamberg's hospitals here and still owns it today.

For the abbey's 1,000th anniversary in 2015 the foundation set up an initially temporary point of contact for visitors in the inner courtyard. This became a permanent foundation shop, later complemented by a café and the information centre. While the abbey church, which was at risk of collapse, underwent extensive restoration from 2012, visitors could learn about the church treasures of St. Michael in the information centre; since 1 May 2026 the church with its Garden of Heaven has been open again.

The centrepiece of the exhibition is a model of the Michaelsberg with stations showing the surroundings from the Regnitz to the Villa Remeis and the Ottobrunnen. It is complemented by a full-size replica of the tomb of Saint Otto as well as panels and screens on past and present life on the Michaelsberg. The centre also serves as a starting point for guided tours and walks through the monastic landscape.

Highlights

• Model of the Michaelsberg with stations from the Regnitz to the Ottobrunnen
• Life-size replica of the tomb of Saint Otto
• Information on the abbey church, the Garden of Heaven and the abbey's history
• Foundation shop with café and Silvaner from the foundation's own vineyard

Permanent exhibition

• Kloster und Klosterlandschaft St. Michael – Model of the Michaelsberg with stations, a full-size replica of Otto's tomb, and panels and screens on the history and present of the former Benedictine abbey.

Operated by

Bürgerspitalstiftung Bamberg

Admission & discounts

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

According to the Bürgerspitalstiftung, there is barrier-free access to the foundation shop with the information centre. The climb up the Michaelsberg is steep in places.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Bamberger Stiftsladen with regional products, including Silvaner from the foundation's own vineyard, and a café.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit