It was probably one of history's major genuflections: King Henry II. kneeled humbly before the bishops of the Holy Roman Empire on All Hallows' Day 1007 and asked for permission to found a new bishopric. The king's gesture showed effect: The Bishops agreed to the establishment of the new Bishopric of Bamberg.  Bamberg Cathedral was consecrated on May 6th 1012, King Henry's birthday. Henry II was crowned Holy Roman Emperor in 1014 and canonised in 1146.
The consecration of Bamberg Cathedral was executed by the eight Bishops and Archbishops of Cologne, Trier, Mainz, Salzburg, Magdeburg, Esztergom (Hungary), Aquileia and, of course, Bamberg.  
The world heritage city of Bamberg looks back upon this unique event 1000 years later, when the successors of these bishops conduct a celebratory service in Bamberg Cathedral on May 6th, 2012.
The first weekend in May is one of the highlights of the millennium celebration with the festive church service and the St. Henry-Festival from July 6  -  8, including the Diocesan Youth Pilgrimage .
A large special exhibition on the Cathedral „Towards the sky – 1000 years of Bamberg Cathedral 1012-2012“ is presented by the Diocesan Museum from May 4th until October 31st (Tue - Su, 10 am - 5 pm). The most important periods of Bamberg Cathedral are shown in twelve stations on 1.000 sqm. exhibition area 6 . With the replica of Henry's crown a part of Bamberg's historical Cathedral treasure returns to Bamberg.