Regensburg is not as visited as many other European cities, but with its well preserved medieval centre, declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2006, it has a great deal to offer and is certainly worth the trip. The modern city is relatively small but it has had a significant part to play in the history of Germany and the Holy Roman Empire.
Most of Regensburg’s historic old town is located on the south side of the Danube. Small exceptions are two islands that are located a bit to the west: Oberer Wöhrd (Upper Wöhrd) and Unterer Wöhrd (Lower Wöhrd). Both of them, despite remaining part of Regensburg, were located outside the area of the former city walls. There are walking trails on both islands, and in the case of the former, there is even a larger park called Inselpark (Park on the Island).
Regensburg Cathedral of St. Peter (Regensburger Dom)
St. Peter’s Cathedral is the spiritual heart of the diocese. It is the visible center of the city of Regensburg and an outstanding testimony to Gothic architecture . Regensburg Cathedral is above all a place of prayer. This is where the Bishop of Regensburg and the cathedral chapter celebrate services in communion with the faithful. The cathedral is also the burial place of the Regensburg bishops.
The cathedral’s treasury museum contains many relics from previous centuries. First of all, these are unique crosses, each of which has its own history. Here you can see a 12th century Swabian bronze cross with rock crystal, a 17th century wooden Greek cross from Mount Athos, a gold cross of Ottokar II dating from the 14th century, and a 13th century Prague cross with precious stones.
The showcases behind the glass display the vestments of the clergy, liturgical utensils of different times and church items: an embroidered robe of a clergyman of the 11th century, a bowl of carnelian and a comb of the 12th century, medieval bottles for lamp oil made of Venetian glass, reliquaries in the form of caskets from the 15th century, and made in the XIII century in southern Germany ‘Wolfgang Cup’.
Stone Bridge (Steinerne Brücke)
In addition to the cathedral, the Stone Bridge is the city’s most important landmark. The Stone Bridge (Steinerne Brücke) in Regensburg, Germany, is a 12th-century bridge across the Danube linking the Old Town with Stadtamhof. For more than 800 years, until the 1930s, it was the city’s only bridge across the river. It is a masterwork of medieval construction and an emblem of the city.
Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus)
The Old Town Hall stands majestically on one side of the square and marks the centuries-old rule in Regensburg. Its construction began in the 13th century but was expanded several times in the following centuries, reflecting different architectural styles, from Romanesque to Gothic to Renaissance.
This historic building served as both a town hall and the seat of the Imperial Assembly until 1806, when Napoleon Bonaparte dissolved the Holy Roman Empire. Today it houses the Reichstag Museum, which uses exhibits to provide insights into German constitutional history and shows the various phases of parliamentary development from the Middle Ages to modern federalism.
Alter Kornmarkt and the Alte Kapelle chapel
The Old Kornmarkt is an almost square square with a side length of approx. 80 m in the northeast area of the old town of Regensburg.
South of the Dom, the humble exterior of the graceful Alte Kapelle belies the stunning interior with its rich rococo decorations. The core of the church, however, is about 1000 years old, although the vaulted ceilings were added in the Gothic period. The church is open only during services but you can always peek through the wrought-iron grill.
Porta Praetoria
Although only small parts remain preserved, the Porta Praetoria of Regensburg is one of the most well known Roman gates in Germany, after the Porta Nigra in Trier. The general term “Porta Praetoria” designates the central gate in Roman military bases. It was the gate for attacks and usually faced the direction of the enemy.
St. Emmeram Palace – Thurn und Taxis
In the heart of Regensburg lies the majestic palace of the Thurn und Taxis family and, unlike many others in Germany, St. Stephen’s Palace. Emmerama is still inhabited. In this former monastery transformed into a palace you can see not only a beautiful set of representative rooms, ballrooms and more, but also a small history lesson.
Haidplatz
Haid Square, located in the heart of the old town, is a lively triangular square where medieval knights’ tournaments take place. The Golden Cross, a patrician house dating back to the 13th century, stands prominently on the square. This extraordinary building has hosted many significant personalities throughout history, including the respected Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, who stayed in its halls three times in the 1530s and 1540s.
Another noteworthy building that catches the eye is the “New Scale”, a former burgher’s house that the city acquired in the 15th century and transformed into a scale. The arcades on the ground floor, now decorated with glass, have been standing since 1575 and are a testimony to the passage of time and the architectural excellence of that era. In the middle of Haid Square stands the Fountain of Justice from 1656. This historic fountain was once an important source of water supplied by a canal running from the village of Dechbetten in the western part of the city.
Goliaten haus
The facade of Goliathstrasse 4 is adorned with a monumental fresco that shows the biblical story of David’s fight against Goliath. It’s not just children who like to stop here and marvel at the huge warrior with the shiny helmet, the long spear and the mighty saber, who is leaning on a window frame, and little David, who is swinging his slingshot. The Goliath House is considered one of the city’s landmarks and must be seen by everyone who visits here.
House of Bavarian History
The museum authentically blends into the historic of Regensburg. The roof of the museum has a folded structure its height and roof landscape are based on the scale of the buildings on the riverside, directly reflecting the medieval roof structure of Regensburg‘s old town.
Walhalla in Donaustauf
The mighty classicist building impresses the viewer from afar. The Walhalla was ceremoniously opened by King Ludwig I personally on October 18, 1842 after a 12-year construction period. Many important personalities from the Germanic language family have received a place of honor in the Hall of Fame. Today, German and European history is impressively reflected in the temple of honor with 130 marble busts and 65 memorial plaque
