“This career advancement is the highest recognition of Patricia Alberth’s work in Bamberg over the past ten years,” said Mayor Andreas Starke in response to the World Heritage expert’s move back to her home state of Baden-Württemberg, where she will become the new managing director of the State Palaces and Gardens starting in March. Patricia Alberth has headed the World Heritage Center in Bamberg since 2013. “I am certain she will be successful there as well,” said Starke.

The design and establishment of the World Heritage Visitor Center at the Untere Mühlen, which officially opened in 2019, as well as the organization of the extensive program marking the 25th anniversary of the World Heritage designation a year earlier, are among the milestones of Alberth’s work in Bamberg. “She has made a lasting impact here and earned us a strong reputation and recognition among World Heritage cities. For that, she deserves our thanks and respect,” praised Mayor Starke. She succeeded in “raising the protection and promotion of the World Heritage Site to a new level and further raising awareness among Bamberg’s residents of the treasures right on our doorstep.” Working with more than 100 stakeholders, Alberth developed a management plan for the Bamberg World Heritage Site. This practical tool also serves as a model for other World Heritage sites.

“Bamberg is a gem”

Patricia Alberth grew up in Baden-Württemberg and graduated from high school in Bad Mergentheim. After completing her studies in the Netherlands, China, and Cottbus, and working for ten years first at UNESCO and then in Bamberg, she is now returning to her roots. “I’m leaving Bamberg with at least a tear in my eye, because I’ve felt very much at home here, both professionally and personally. Bamberg is a gem. With a great team and a highly committed local community behind me, I was able to make a real difference and raise international awareness of Bamberg’s exemplary World Heritage management. I couldn’t turn down the offer to take on such a challenging role in my home state. I am very much looking forward to this new challenge,” explains Patricia Alberth.

The State Palaces and Gardens of Baden-Württemberg, which Alberth is now taking over as director, manage a total of 62 monuments in the state. These include Ludwigsburg Palace, Heidelberg Castle, Weikersheim Palace in the Tauber-Franconia region, and Maulbronn Monastery. The organization has 221 employees who work at the headquarters in Bruchsal as well as in eleven local offices.

Caption: Patricia Alberth successfully led the World Heritage Center for ten years.

Photo: Bamberg City Archives, Maria Deutsch