Publications
O pomorskich kościołach biskupa Ottona z Bambergu. W dziewięćsetlecie misji
Archaeological discoveries, when compared with historical accounts, reveal that at least fourteen small, single-nave churches were built during Bishop Otto of Bamberg's missionary expeditions to Pomerania between 1124 and 1128. These structures, constructed from wood, wattle, and clay, represent the first Christian churches in the region, excluding an earlier cathedral in Kolobrzeg (Kołobrzeg) dating back to 1000 AD. The study sheds light on the settlement context and architectural features of these early ecclesiastical sites, providing insights into their size, shape, and construction techniques.
Crowd-counting technology within the Smart City context: understanding, trust, and acceptance
Public understanding and trust are key to the acceptance of crowd-counting technologies in smart cities, including UNESCO World Heritage Sites. A study on Bamberg’s old town found that functional explanations—focusing on project purpose rather than technical details—significantly improve comprehension, which in turn enhances public trust and acceptance. The research, combining exploratory interviews, field studies, and online surveys, also revealed that trust directly influences acceptance, emphasizing the need for clear, effective communication to overcome privacy concerns. These insights highlight the importance of tailoring project explanations to foster understanding while prioritizing data protection, ensuring smoother adoption of smart city solutions.
World Heritage as a balancing act: experiences from a medium-sized World Heritage City in Bavaria
Bamberg, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993, faces evolving demands on its historic public spaces due to climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic. This study highlights Bamberg's adaptive urban planning approach, balancing preservation with modern needs while integrating digitalization and citizen participation. The city's medieval and Baroque architecture, embedded in a rich cultural landscape, serves as a model for sustainable urban development. As part of Germany's 'Smart Cities Model Projects,' Bamberg is leveraging digital technologies to enhance urban planning and public engagement over seven years. The research analyzes recent developments in public space management, emphasizing participatory methods and the interplay between historic fabric and contemporary challenges.
Italian Merchants and Traders North of the Alps: Commercial Practices and Social Strategies
Italian merchants and traders north of the Alps exhibited 'dual integration,' maintaining strong ties with both their host communities and their homeland, as revealed by a study analyzing their commercial practices and social strategies. The research highlights that while these migrants often married into local society and permanently settled in German towns, they also preserved close relationships with relatives in Italy, evident through trans-Alpine inheritance transfers. This dual integration underscores the trans-national nature of their social networks. The study, focusing on the sixteenth to eighteenth centuries, found that Italian traders initially specialized in marketing Italian goods but later diversified into banking and manufacturing. Their ability to rise socially varied significantly between Catholic towns, where they gained prominence, and Protestant cities like Frankfurt, where local resistance limited their civic rights and commercial privileges.
The Peasant War in Franconia*
The Peasant War in Franconia, particularly affecting the Town of Bamberg and its surrounding regions, was driven by a combination of economic hardship, social inequality, and restrictive land use policies. The study reveals that while a small fraction of the urban population held significant wealth, the majority faced severe financial constraints, with one burgher possessing 1,000 florins for every twenty others with far less. Peasants in Bamberg and Eichstätt were burdened by new labor services and restrictions on common land, exacerbating their grievances. The uprising was further fueled by socio-psychological factors and the issuance of forestry decrees by territorial rulers, which stripped communities of their woodland rights. Peasant leaders emerged from diverse social backgrounds, challenging traditional hierarchies and contributing to the widespread rebellion.
Places and Spaces of the Others. A German Reception Centre in Public Discourse and Individual Perception
Refugee reception centers, often seen as transient 'non-places,' play a significant role in both public discourse and individual perception of migrants. A study focusing on the Bamberg Reception Centre in Germany, which opened in 2015 during a political crisis over asylum policies, reveals that these centers are not just spaces of transit but also dynamic sites where diverse perceptions, coping strategies, and spatial behaviors emerge. Initially housing predominantly Western Balkan asylum seekers, the center's resident composition became more heterogeneous from 2016 onward. The research highlights the fluid nature of such centers, shaped by legal treatment, discrimination, medical care, schooling, and the short duration of stay, reflecting broader social and individual challenges faced by migrants in receiving countries.
‘No past, no future?’ An ICOMOS perspective on cultural heritage and the sustainability agenda
Bamberg's World Heritage status is not just about preserving its historical significance but also about integrating it with intangible cultural heritage, such as urban gardening traditions, to foster sustainable development. The study highlights how Bamberg addresses environmental sustainability, social inclusion, and peace and security, demonstrating that inclusive social development and economic growth are key outcomes of heritage conservation efforts. Bamberg's high degree of social cohesion and safety further underscores its model for balancing cultural preservation with broader societal benefits. This perspective, rooted in ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites) principles, shows that sustainable development can be achieved by connecting tangible and intangible heritage, making it a relevant case for global World Heritage sites.
The Remuneration of Preaching Abroad
A comparative analysis of death sermons on Bishop Otto of Bamberg from the 12th to late 15th centuries reveals evolving perspectives on mercy, social inclusion, and political critique. While 12th-century Benedictine monks Herbord and Ebo celebrated Otto's missionary work and social compassion, framing him as a Christ-like figure, 15th-century Franciscan Konrad Bischof omitted such criticism, aligning with the prevailing societal hierarchy. This shift reflects broader changes in Bamberg's social and political landscape, where earlier critiques of elite excess became untenable. The study highlights how textual adaptations—such as death sermons—mirror societal transformations, yet notably omit discussions on missionary remuneration, despite Otto's unrecognized efforts.
Modern German Midwifery, 1885–1960 by Lynne Fallwell (review)
Lynne Fallwell's 'Modern German Midwifery, 1885–1960' reveals the complex professionalization of midwifery in Germany, highlighting its resilience despite challenges from lay competition and political shifts. The study argues that midwifery's autonomy was both undermined by liberal trade laws in the late 19th century and later reinforced under Nazi rule, where eugenic policies paradoxically safeguarded home birth rights until 1985. Fallwell combines extensive German scholarship with primary research, particularly from Bavaria, to trace midwifery's evolution through education reforms, activism campaigns led by figures like Olga Gebauer and Nanna Conti, and its enduring influence on German birthing culture. The book underscores midwifery's unique position as a women-specific vocation navigating ideological pressures while maintaining professional strength.
Boetepredikers en de IHS-rage op gebouwen
A significant cultural and religious trend emerged in the mid-15th century, marked by the widespread adoption of the IHS monogram—representing 'Iesus Hominum Salvator'—on buildings and everyday objects across Europe. This practice was championed by penitential preachers, notably Bernardinus of Siena, whose sermons inspired public acts of repentance, including the removal of party blazon in favor of Jesus' name. The study highlights the monogram's prevalence on structures like town halls (e.g., Deventer, Zwolle) and residential buildings (e.g., Munster), as well as its appearance on diverse items such as furniture, ceramics, and contracts. The research underscores a broader medieval preoccupation with integrating religious symbolism into daily life, reflecting both piety and the desire for divine protection. Methodologically, the study relies on historical documentation, architectural evidence, and textual analysis to trace the monogram's dissemination through the influence of Franciscan and Jesuit preachers.
Bamberg: The Empire, the Jews, and Earthly Order
The Bamberg Cathedral's Fürstenportal, consecrated in 1237, presents a dramatic visual narrative of the Last Judgment and the separation of the saved and damned. This sculptural ensemble, accessible to both locals and visitors, was primarily designed for the bishop, his household, and guests of the episcopacy. The portal features intricate carvings, including a tympanum depicting the Last Judgment, apostles and prophets straining to witness the sacred drama, and a trumpeting angel announcing Christ's Second Coming. Notably, it includes monumental personifications of Church (Ecclesia) and Synagogue (Synagoga), with the latter adorned with symbols reflecting medieval anti-Jewish sentiments. This study highlights the portal's role in communicating theological and political messages within Bamberg's urban community during the High Middle Ages.
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