How German UNESCO site Bamberg preserves the past for the future

Germany is home to 54 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. That's the third highest number for a single country, behind China with 59 and Italy with 60.

Germany's UNESCO sites include magnificent castles, rusty industrial relics, natural beauty worthy of protection and romantic historical towns – such as the city of Bamberg, which received the title in 1993.

Located in northern Bavaria, Bamberg has been recognized for its well-preserved medieval architecture, with its city's historic center showcasing a unique blend of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles, transporting the visitor as far back as the early 11th century.

But preserving this rich history can be challenging when met with the modern-day needs of a 21st century city.

Simona von Eyb, the Director of the Bamberg World Heritage Center, says the city reflects the changing understanding of world heritage.

"It is not something static, especially in an urban context," she tells CGTN. "It is wonderful to have a well-preserved physical structure, but it's equally important to have a healthy modern life happening around it."

Von Eyb says that through the modernization of the city, a lot has been learnt from the centuries-old infrastructure.

"The fact that these buildings have survived for hundreds of years speaks for their resilience and for the fact that they are models of sustainable development," she says. 

"Building materials, building techniques, ways of city planning… For example, the corridors that were planned for this historic city had also a very important cooling function, so there is a sense behind this old city planning."

Some of Germany's most progressive restoration efforts are taking place here, including at St Michael's Monastery – an 11th-century Benedictine complex which played a vital role in the city's development as a hub of the Holy Roman Empire.

Yet Von Eyb also values smaller projects such as small monument preservation and private community buildings, which are being restored under a program known as "the Bamberg Model".

All of this medieval charm pulls in around 800,000 tourists annually – such as Korean tourists Sarang Lee and Cheolhun Chang.

"It looks like something out of a fairy tale," Sarang tells CGTN. "I think the fact that there are many old buildings left makes Bamberg's atmosphere more special."

"I think it is good to keep the old buildings as they are now," says Cheolhun, "because it can preserve the past of mankind and show future generations how people lived in the past."

Von Eyb agrees: "These places offer you a sense of belonging, a sense of collective existence, collective development through time and also collective vision for the future." 

And having World Heritage Site status opens up a global network of knowledge. 

"We are constantly in touch with our colleagues all over the world, including China," she says. "So it's wonderful to benefit from all this development and best practices that are being initiated at the global level."

Seven other German sites have been nominated for UNESCO World Heritage Site status this month, including the iconic Disney castle inspiration, Neuschwanstein Castle, also located in Bavaria. Should they be successful, they can look to Bamberg for helping to preserve the past for the future.