Bavaria has seen numerous rulers, both great and small, throughout its history. The Wittelsbachs, the Staufens, and other nobles established their residences and castles throughout the region. But if we go even further back in history, we discover even great Germanic rulers who are said to have ruled here. The tranquil town of Amberg, for example, may have been the site of ancient Maroboudon, where the Macromannic King Marbod reigned.
The Roman Ruler in the Palatinate
Maroboudon was the seat of power of the Germanic King Marbod, who spent his youth in Rome before moving to Germania and establishing his empire. He was considered the most significant ruler of the Macromanni and founded the settlement of Maroboudonnear the Danube. The Greek scholar Claudius Ptolemy recorded the location in his Geography, an ancient atlas.
Exactly where Maroboudon is believed to have been located has not yet been definitively determined. Some researchers assume it was in Bohemia, while others suspect it was in present-day Amberg. In any case, the Upper Palatinate town was an important trading center for salt and iron, which allowed it to flourish in the Middle Ages. Many of the buildings from that era are still preserved today and can be explored by you.
Electoral Amberg
Amberg was not only the presumed seat of the Macromanni king but also of various Bavarian nobles. In the 15th century, Elector Ludwig III had a castle built here as a seat of government, which today houses the district administration office. The armory and the government chancellery also date back to the electoral era, and the Alte Veste later became the electoral court. At the Marktplatz, you’ll discover the Gothic town hall, and if you’d like to stay overnight in Amberg, you can do so at the Eh’häusl, one of the smallest hotels in the world.
Amberg’s Old Town is surrounded by a ring wall that is still almost completely preserved today. It features a total of five city gates, one of which is the Stadtbrille, which serves as Amberg’s landmark. It spans the Vils River with two arches, which are reflected in the water and resemble the aforementioned glasses. You can also take boat tours on the Vils and discover the city from the water. You can combine these with white sausage or beer tastings.
And there’s plenty of beer in Amberg, as the town is home to no fewer than five breweries, which is why it’s nicknamed the “Beer City.” In the Middle Ages , the town boasted as many as 30. Today, the bitter beverage is still celebrated at various beer festivals, which you can attend. If beer isn’t really your thing, you can instead visit one of the many charming cafés while strolling through the old town.
