Seehof Palace (Schloss Seehof)

Schloss Seehof in Memmelsdorf, just outside Bamberg in northern Bavaria, is the baroque summer palace of the former prince-bishops of Bamberg. The yellow four-winged palace with its distinctive onion-domed corner towers stands in a large formal park with a restored cascade, orangeries and long tree-lined avenues. It is an easy and rewarding add-on to a visit to Bamberg's UNESCO-listed old town.

Where it is and how to get there

Seehof lies a few kilometers northeast of central Bamberg, which is under two hours from Munich by ICE train and under an hour from Nuremberg. From Bamberg, take a local bus to the "Seehof" stop. Drivers will find 224 parking spaces at the palace.

A short history

Building began in 1687 under Prince-Bishop Marquard Sebastian Schenk von Stauffenberg, to designs by Italian-born architect Antonio Petrini. From 1693, Lothar Franz von Schönborn laid out a 21-hectare (52-acre) terraced garden. Later, sculptor Ferdinand Tietz created around 400 garden statues, and a grand cascade glorifying Hercules was added. After secularization the gardens declined; the cascade was restored and has run again since 1995.

What you will see

• Nine state rooms, including the White Hall with a 1751 ceiling fresco by Giuseppe Appiani
• The cascade, with water displays on the hour from May to early October
• The orangery parterre, with 168 citrus trees in summer
• The Ferdinand Tietz Museum with original sculptures
• Avenues and hedges, including a chestnut avenue planted in 1797 and old hornbeam hedges from the baroque era

Opening hours and tickets (as of October 2026)

The palace is open April to November 1, Tuesday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and can only be seen on a guided tour of about 45 minutes, starting hourly from 9:15 a.m. (last tour 5:15 p.m.). It is closed from November 2 to March.

• Palace tour €6, reduced €5
• Combined ticket with Bamberg's New Residence €10
• Under 18s free
• Park admission is free, open year-round

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, especially from spring to fall when the citrus trees and fountains bring the garden to life. Allow 1.5 to 3 hours. With the combined ticket, continue to the New Residence in Bamberg's old town, the prince-bishops' main residence in the city. The official site does not mention English tours, so ask by phone or email before you go. There is a restaurant-cafe on site, dogs are welcome in the park on a leash, and picnics are not allowed.