For a tourist visiting Germany not only for shopping, clubs and restaurants, but also wanting to get acquainted with the monuments of architecture, Regensburg is one of the cities worth visiting without fail.
During the war, there were no important strategic facilities located here, therefore, in comparison with other old German cities, it suffered less from air raids. Therefore, many sights of Regensburg, which were built in the Middle Ages, have survived to this day.
city hall
One of them is the city hall, which is one of the oldest architectural monuments preserved in the city, today recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are, strictly speaking, two Town Halls in the city: the Old (Altes Rathaus) and the New. Historically, they have had different functional purposes. The new town hall served only the city authorities, the old one - the delegates of the Reichstag of the entire Holy Roman Empire. They also have a significant variation in the time of their construction: the Old one was founded in the middle of the 13th century, the New one was built only in the 17th century.
The town hall tower of the new building until 1860 was the tallest tower in Regensburg, and, being located exactly in the center of the city, it was a kind of landmark for its residents and guests.
Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus), Regentsburg
The Old Town Hall is interesting because over the centuries it has been constantly completed and modernized. Initially, it was a typical representative of the architecture of the houses of wealthy patricians: the courtyard was surrounded by four outbuildings. Later, in the middle of the 14th century, a massive building appeared across the courtyard, in keeping with the fashion of those times, which came from Italy. At ground level, the office and other office space were located, on the second floor was the richly decorated Imperial Hall.
The basement housed a prison and a torture chamber, which today are part of the Reichstag Museum, founded in 1963. Part of the buildings and, in fact, the town hall itself, where meetings of the Reichstag were held, were completed towards the end of the 16th century, and the construction was completed only in the first half of the 18th century. Looking around this complex, one can appreciate how the architecture of Germany has changed over the centuries: there are elements of the early Gothic here, as well as features of the later, in the later elements you can see the Baroque style.
Clock Tower (Altes Rathaus), Regentsburg The entrance portal is also interesting, completed half a century after the town hall building itself. It is guarded by the figures of two ferocious warriors, one of whom took a defensive position, and the second - an offensive one. This, as it were, symbolizes the right to choose a free city (namely, a city, not an Empire, as indicated by the coats of arms with crossed keys located under these figures of warriors) between defense and attack.
"Jewish Quarter"
As you know, in the Middle Ages, Jewish communities lived in almost all major cities of Europe. Usually they were allocated the least habitable areas. But this was not the case in Regensburg. By some coincidence, the Jewish quarter here was located almost in the very center of the city, that is, in the most privileged place. And this did not please a large number of German townspeople. Moreover, the Jews were engaged in usury, lending money. In 1519, after the death of Emperor Maximilian, the townspeople expelled all the Jews from the city, destroyed the synagogue and the cemetery. The townspeople who participated in the pogrom built gravestones into their houses as a symbol that the owner of the house took part in this "case". Several of these tombstones still “flaunt” in their places to this day. This is a story and no one is trying to hide or embellish it.
Regensburg Cathedral
A kind of "calling card" of Regensburg. The cathedral began to be erected in 1275, and completed in 1634, and then - with the exception of the towers, which were completed after 235 years - in 1869. In the 17th century, the cathedral was reconstructed and given baroque features (including a domed vault) . At this time, all significant buildings in Bavaria were rebuilt so that they corresponded to the Baroque style as much as possible. However, later the famous towers were erected in the cathedral, which radically changed the appearance of the entire structure, and immediately turned it into a standard of Bavarian Gothic.
Regensburg Cathedral (Regensburger Dom) Already in the 21st century, Pope Benedict XVI held a divine service within its walls.
Eagle Pharmacy (Adler Apotheke)
This pharmacy appeared in 1610, and since then its interior and internal layout have not changed much. It is one of the oldest pharmacies in the city.
Located near the Regensburg Cathedral, at the address: Watmarkt 9. Open from 08:30 to 18:30.
A stone bridge
It was erected for 11 years - from 1135 to 1146 for the sole purpose of transporting the crusaders who participated in the Second Campaign. As a result, the Stone Bridge became the only one in the city until the 20th century. On it is a sculpture of a boy, installed in the middle of the 15th century.
Stone Bridge (Old Stone Bridge), Regentsburg There is a popular legend in Regensburg, according to which the architect who built the Stone Bridge made a bet with his colleague who built the Regensburg Cathedral on the subject of who would finish the construction faster. As a result, the architect of the bridge resorted to the services of evil spirits, and won, after which he tried to deceive the devil who helped him. The latter, in response, tried to destroy the bridge, but nothing came of it.
Abbey of Saint Emmeram (Reichsabtei Sankt Emmeram)
It bears the name of the martyr Emmeram, as it is located at the place of his burial. Appeared in the VIII century thanks to the Benedictine monks. Two centuries later, the monastery became one of the largest spiritual centers, famous for the book miniatures created by the monks. It fell into disrepair in the 16th century, after Regensburg became a Lutheran city.
There is a very interesting story associated with it. The interior decoration was carried out for the most part by the two Azam brothers: Cosmas Damian (1686 - 1739) and Egid Quirin (1692 - 1750). Similar work can be seen in Munich, where there is a small church, the interior decoration of which was done by them just before receiving an order for work in Regensburg.
On the territory of the abbey is the family tomb of the princes of Thurn and Taxis, who turned the monastery premises into their residence at the beginning of the 19th century. Until now, the descendants of this glorious family live here. The prince, his two sisters and his mother occupy apartments in a spacious and richly decorated palace.
Inside St. Emmeram's Abbey (Reichsabtei Sankt Emmeram), Regentsburg Castra Regina
This is a settlement of Roman soldiers, on the site of which Regensburg arose. It consisted of:
- warrior camps;
- cities with civilians;
- large cemetery;
- ancient Roman temples.
In Regensburg, the northern gate of the camp (II century BC), the remains of walls and fortifications have been preserved. The legendary Roman III Legion "Italica" was based in it.
Castra Regina, Regensburg Church of St. Jacob
Basilica in the Romanesque architectural style, erected in the 11th century. It is also called a "Scottish monastery", although it originally belonged to an Irish abbey. The second name, apparently, is caused by the famous Scottish portal. It is located on the north side of the basilica, and is richly decorated with numerous sculptural compositions, the meaning and symbolism of which have been interpreted by numerous scholars for several centuries. And if with the images of Christ and the apostles everything is more or less unambiguous, then the dragon devouring a lion, the hydra in a clay ball, which is eaten by a crocodile, and much more causes serious scientific disputes. The arches of the portal support the caryatids.
Church of St. Jacob (Schottenkirche St. Jakob), Regensburg Towers are located on the eastern side of the building, and a transept is located on the western side. The church has three apses.
Church of the Intercession of the Holy Mother of God
This is an Orthodox church, which was created immediately after the Second World War - in 1945. The basis was the old abandoned cemetery chapel, which was built in 1836. A hundred years later, it ceased to function, and after 11 years of desolation, it was handed over to Orthodox Christians.
Church of the Intercession of the Holy Virgin (Hl. Maria-Schutz Kirche), Regensburg It is located in the City Park on Prüfeningerstrasse.
Hotels
How to get there
Regensburg has excellent transport infrastructure, including the modern Franz Josef Strauss Airport (in Munich) located just 90 km from the city center, which connects it with other European cities popular among tourists. Below I will talk about the best routes from other tourist centers to Regensburg:
Nuremberg — Regensburg
A bus runs along this route, the fare in which is about 5 euros.
The same distance can be overcome by train (the railway station is located one kilometer from Old Regensburg).
And, of course, you can get from one village to another by car.
Ingolstadt — Regensburg
The distance between cities is only 80 kilometers. A train ride will cost 19-28 euros. You can cover the same route in less than an hour by car, which will be somewhat cheaper.
Prague — Regensburg
Distance - 262 km. There is a direct train from Prague that takes over 4 hours. A trip in it is relatively inexpensive - 10-15 euros. If there is a desire to travel and look for adventure, then you can go by rail with several transfers - to Pilsen and Nirzhan. It will be an hour longer, and twice as expensive.
The bus arrives faster than the train - in three and a half hours. The ticket costs from 88 to 22 euros.
The fastest option is by plane. Tickets cost differently, but on average - about 70 euros.
The cheapest tickets from Prague to Munich this month
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Karlovy Vary — Regensburg
The train travels about 4 hours (with a change in Cheb). The fare is 23-33 euros.
The trip by car will take about two hours (178 km).
Berlin — Regensburg
The cities are connected by road (50 km), rail, bus and air. The last option is the most comfortable. It will cost about 60 euros per person, although, as already mentioned, the range of prices for air tickets is quite large.
The cheapest tickets from Berlin to Munich this month
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Regensburg is an old and very picturesque German city located at the confluence of two rivers - the Danube and the Regen. Regensburg, founded by Marcus Aurelius as a military camp, was once the residence of the Bavarian dukes, and is now the oldest bishopric in Germany, a university center and a concentration of medical clinics.
Perhaps, in the whole country it is difficult to find another such city, which has retained its medieval beauty almost in its original form. The pride of Regensburg is St. Peter's Cathedral, built in the Gothic style and decorated with a bronze cross and crystal. One of the symbols of the city is a stone bridge across the Danube from the 12th century. In the vicinity you can see a copy of the majestic Parthenon - Valhalla, a building with columns built in the 19th century. to glorify the heroes of Germany: inside you can see 100 busts of famous Germans.
About 157 thousand people live in modern Regensburg, more than half a million tourists come here every year.
In 2014, Regensburg was included in the list of top 30 attractions in Germany for foreign tourists.
How to get there
It is very convenient to choose Regensburg as a starting point for traveling in Bavaria: numerous trains pass through this city to literally all popular European destinations. Most of them have a "Bavarian ticket" - a kind of travel card that allows you to travel all over Bavaria for little money. It should be noted that for a group of passengers this ticket is much cheaper than for one person.
Since Regensburg is located on the river, ships often call at its ports, this is a stopping point on almost all river cruises - so you can also get here by water.
There is no airport in the city, only helipads for emergencies. The nearest airports to Regensburg are in Munich and Nuremberg. You can get to Munich via the city of Freising by train, and then transfer to bus number 635, it drives right up to the terminals.
Search for flights to Munich (nearest airport to Regensburg)
A bit of history
An advantageous place near the bend of the Danube has been settled by people since the Stone Age; in 2006, ancient Celtic graves were found in these places, which date back to 400 BC. e. The history of the city itself begins in 79 AD. e., when the Romans founded a small military settlement for soldiers - Castra Regina. Nearby was another Roman military camp, Kastel Kumpfmühl, the ruins of which can be seen in the eponymous area of modern Regensburg (it has not yet been completely dug up). In 170 a.d. e. Emperor Marcus Aurelius ordered the establishment of a settlement here for an entire legion to control strategically important territories. Simultaneously with the military, the civilian settlement also grew.
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So the fortress, built as an observation post, became the military stronghold of the whole province. Later, Regensburg became the capital of the Bavarian dukes, and then, having received imperial status, it turned into one of the richest cities in Germany. Such a rich history of Regensburg has led to the fact that today it is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The city changed its name frequently. Its modern name comes from the Celtic word Regana ("waterways"), which the Romans borrowed, naming the nearby river Reganum. "Regensburg" means "city on the Regen".
Within the walls of the town hall of Regensburg, the disintegration of the Holy Roman Empire was officially announced.
Popular hotels in Regensburg
Weather in Regensburg
Cuisine and restaurants
In addition to interest in history and architecture, more prosaic passions can be satisfied in Regensburg: go, for example, to the oldest Bavarian sausage shop Historishe Wurstkuche (roughly translated as “Historical Sausage Kitchen”) and dine on a portion of Bavarian sausages with sauerkraut and local beer. Interestingly, the Wurstkuche was opened back in the 12th century for the builders of the Stone Bridge and has been treating townspeople and tourists for eight hundred years. Of course, this is not the only decent restaurant. There are many of them in the city, and each of them is ready to offer its guests both an international menu and traditional Bavarian cuisine.
It will be difficult to refuse a visit to one of the many pubs, because beer for the Bavarians is not just a drink, but a matter of national pride. And besides the beer gardens, Regensburg is famous for its wonderful coffee houses.
It is said that the first German coffee houses appeared in Regensburg.
Guides in Regensburg
The best photos of Regensburg
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Entertainment and attractions of Regensburg
Architecture
The most recognizable city landmark is A stone bridge across the Danube, with which a mysterious legend is connected. The architect really wanted his creation to be outstanding, and even made a deal with the devil to help him. But when the construction of the bridge was already coming to an end, the architect violated the terms of the contract and paid the price: the devil decided to destroy the building. The bridge bent, but withstood the pressure, stood in its place. This bridge has been standing since the 12th century - one of the masterpieces of world bridge building. Members of the medieval crusades used it when crossing the Danube on their way to the Holy Land.
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Built from the 13th to the 15th century town hall, which is a complex of buildings. It was here that the collapse of the Roman Empire was officially announced in the 15th century. There was also an ominous "answer room" in the town hall, where suspects of crimes were tortured. Today, it houses a gloomy museum of torture.
In the Old Town there is also a huge palace, which for many years belonged to the princely dynasty of Thurn und Taxis. The palace is surrounded by a huge park, which in itself is a full-fledged attraction.
Cathedral of Saint Peter- the pride of Regensburg. Built in the Gothic style, the cathedral is not only the decoration of the city, but also the center of its spiritual life. It took almost 600 years to build. Since Regensburg has a rich history, there are many different religious buildings here: the Church of St. Jacob of the 12th century (or the "Scottish Church" - the temple of the Irish Irish monks, who were called Scoti, hence the name), the Obermunster Church of the 11th century, the Church of St. Ulrich 13 century (it now also houses a museum of church art), the Dominican Church of St. Blasius of the mid-13th century, the Church of St. John the Baptist, and even the Russian Orthodox Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, opened here in 1946, after the end of World War II.
In general, the Old Town is more than a thousand of the most diverse in appearance, style and purpose of houses. Walking along its streets is one of the many pleasures that you can get in this original, very clean, prosperous city, you can endlessly admire the buildings, flower beds, courtyards, ships that moor along the banks of the Danube.
Modern life in an ancient city
Museums and historical sites
In Regensburg, which is small in area, there are about 20 museums alone. The most famous of them are:
- Historical Museum, where you can learn about the history and culture of these places from the Stone Age to the present (address: Regensburg, Dachauplatz, 2-4);
- Memorial house of the famous mathematician and astronomer Johannes Kepler (Kepler Gedächtnishaus, address: Regensburg, Keplerstraße, 5) and a monument to the famous scientist who died in Regensburg;
- East Bavarian Museum of Natural History
- Observatory;
- Postal Museum;
- Museum of Church Art in St. Peter's Cathedral (Domschatzmuseum, address: Regensburg, Krauterermarkt, 3).
In addition, in the city center you can see the remains of Roman fortresses built into more modern houses. It is assumed that there are still many Roman buildings not discovered by archaeologists, therefore, walking around Regensburg, you can imagine what ancient buildings are literally under the feet of tourists.
Regensburg is associated with the names of many famous people. In addition to the already mentioned Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius and the astronomer Johannes Kepler, who discovered the laws of the solar system, Oscar Schindler was born or visited here (the famous savior of many Jews during World War II, about whom the film Schindler's List was filmed), the previous Pope Benedict XVI, the famous Spanish commander Juan of Austria, German writer Karl May. City sculptures or memorial plaques on houses remind of these people. Also in Regensburg you can see remarkable memorials: to the victims of the Holocaust, victims of euthanasia, prisoners of concentration camps and prisoners of war, victims of violence against women.
Neighborhood
In the 19th century, King Ludwig of Bavaria built two impressive classical buildings in the vicinity of Regensburg, designed to emphasize the greatness of the German people: Valhalla and Befrayuegshalle. The first, with the eloquent name Valhalla, is located 10 kilometers from the city and is a copy of the ancient Parthenon, standing on a high bank. It has a majestic not only facade, but also the interior: it is decorated with busts of 193 famous Germans. Among them are Russian figures of German origin, for example, Empress Catherine the Great and Marshal Barclay de Tolly; the list is being supplemented even today - images of Albert Einstein, Johann Brahms, mathematician Karl Gauss, victims of the German Resistance have recently appeared there. The second building glorifies the heroes of the liberation war of 1813.
Not far from the borders of the city, the Bavarian Forest mountain range begins; many visitors come to the national park of the same name every year.
Regensburg is a city in the German state of Bavaria, located at the confluence of its tributary Regen into the Danube. This river gave the city its name. Regensburg is one of the oldest German cities. Settlements on its present site have been known since the Stone Age. The Roman fortress of Castra Regina has been mentioned since the 1st century BC. In the future, Regensburg was the residence of the Bavarian dukes and the bishop, the center of the East Frankish kingdom, an imperial city and one of the capitals of the Holy Roman Empire, an autonomous principality and, finally, a Bavarian province.
The historic center of Regensburg Altstadt is made up of thousands of old buildings. It is the largest surviving medieval historic center in Germany. It, together with the Stadtamhof district located on the other side of the Danube, is protected as an object of the cultural heritage of mankind.
In the Middle Ages, residential buildings were built mainly by wealthy merchants, each of whom tried to stand out in the design of his home from the background of his neighbors. Among the public buildings of the Old Town, the Cathedral, the Town Hall, the stone bridge, the Church of St. Jacob.
Regensburger Dom, otherwise known as Kathedrale St. Peter is the best Gothic building in Bavaria. Its main part was built in the 13th-17th centuries, and the 105-meter towers designed by the architect Franz Josef von Denzinger were completed only in the second half of the 19th century.
Cathedral St. Peter
The total length of the facade is 86 m, and the width is 35 m. The western facade is especially beautiful with openwork stone lace of the tower spiers. Its portal with statues of saints, relief decor and lancet framing of arched openings is also impressive.
On the towers of the cathedral there are six bells of different sizes and tonality. Each of them has sounding days, and only on major church holidays they ring at the same time.
Towers of Regensburg Cathedral
In the covered galleries of the cathedral, two chapels of the former Romanesque church that existed here before the construction of the Gothic cathedral have been preserved. The sculptural composition of the Annunciation with the “laughing angel” dates from the 13th century, most of the stained-glass windows of the cathedral date back to the 14th, and the cloister frescoes date back to the 15th century. The silver main altar was created in 1695-1785.
The treasury of the Domschatzmuseum contains many relics. Antique crosses stand out - Swabian bronze with rock crystal of the 12th century, Prague with precious stones of the 13th century, and a golden cross of the 14th century. Czech king Ottokar II.
One of the relics of the museum-treasury
Other treasures include a reliquary with the relics of John Chrysostom, Venetian flasks of oil lamps, church utensils and priestly vestments.
The well-known church choir of boys Regensburger Domspatzen (“Regensburg Sparrows”), founded by the Bishop of Regensburg at the end of the 10th century, has been functioning at the cathedral for more than a millennium. This choir accompanies morning masses (starting at 10 a.m.) on Sundays and holidays.
Address: Domplatz 1. Opening hours: 06:30 to 17-19. Ticket price - 6 EUR.
The Altes Rathaus complex of buildings for Regensburg, which then had the status of a free imperial city, began to be built in the 14th century, and was completed only centuries later. In the future, the Town Hall underwent several reconstructions. Since 1663, the Reichstag of the Holy Roman Empire has been permanently located in the Old Town Hall. It was here that in 1806 its disintegration was announced.
The town hall complex consists of a tower and four buildings surrounding the courtyard. The entrance portal of the main building is designed in the Baroque style. The triangular tympanum is decorated with a relief image of the emblems of the city and the guards guarding them. The Gothic staircase leads to the second floor, where the meeting rooms of the electors (princes of the Holy Roman Empire, authorized to choose its emperor) were located - the main and secret. In the Imperial Hall, on a dais, stood the throne of the emperor and the chairs of the electors, painted in different colors according to their status.
From the bay window (loggia) of the Imperial Hall, the decisions made were announced to the townspeople.
Bay window of the Imperial Hall
And in the basement, medieval justice was administered. It housed a prison, interrogation and torture rooms with the corresponding "tools of inquiry". Now these premises are part of the Reichstagsmuseum. Other premises contain part of the municipality and the residence of the city mayor.
Address: Rathausplatz, 1. For a visit you need to pay 7.5 EUR.
On the Town Hall Square there is another peculiar attraction - the Prinzess cafe. The inscription on its wall states that Prinzess is the first cafe in Germany: cakes and chocolate have been served here since 1676. After the “Barbara Kiss” (as the name of the famous Barbara Küsse cake is translated), you can see the collection of old toys on the first floor of the cafe.
Regensburg stone bridge
Die Steinerne Brücke was built in the 12th century. by decree of King Louis II during the period of Regensburg's belonging to the East Frankish kingdom. This stone bridge, used to cross the Danube by the crusaders of the Second Campaign, was the only one in Regensburg for the next eight centuries.
The bridge, 309 m long and 7.6 m wide, resting on 14 arched spans, is a unique engineering structure of its time: it was even called a new wonder of the world. It was the prototype of other European bridges, in particular, the predecessor of the famous Charles Bridge in Prague. From the middle of the XV century. on the bridge there is a sculpture of his young guard Brückmandl.
Die Steinerne Brucke
The bridge has a curvature visible to the naked eye. A legend is associated with this design feature, similar to the one told about the Old Bridge of Frankfurt am Main. It seems that in the Middle Ages, evil spirits were not smart. The builders of Steinerne Brücke, in return for helping with the construction, promised the devil of the soul of the first three who crossed the new bridge. Seeing a rooster, a chicken and a dog walking along the newly opened bridge, the devil in a rage tried to pull the bridge out of the ground, but he only managed to bend it. Many whirlpools under the bridge are also his paws.
The current bridge is a popular tourist attraction. From here, especially from the observation deck of the only surviving Brückturm tower, a beautiful view of the historical part of the city, headed by the Regensburg Cathedral, opens up. To the left of the bridge, there is another tourist and gastronomic facility - the Wurstküche sausage shop, where the builders of the bridge are believed to have snacked. The city authorities plan to make the bridge completely pedestrian in the future.
In the western part of the historic city center, less than a kilometer from the cathedral, is the church Die Irische Benediktinerklosterkirche St. Jacob and St. Gertrud. It was built in the 12th century and originally belonged to an Irish Benedictine abbey. Its second, folk, name is Schottenkirche St. Jakob, can be misleading, because it has nothing to do with the Scots: they were simply not distinguished from the Irish by the people.
Die Irische Benediktinerklosterkirche St. Jacob and St. Gertrud
Church of St. Jakoba is a notable example of the German Romanesque style. It combines details of ancient and medieval architecture. The most impressive element of the church is the northern Schottenportal.
North Schottenportal
The gray marble "Scottish portal" cannot but delight with the filigree craftsmanship of medieval stonemasons, who created a real work of art with six levels of perspective. Above the arches is a relief of Christ with 12 apostles. The tympanum of the deepest arch above the heavy entrance gate depicts Christ and Saints Jacob and John. The reliefs on opposite sides of the entrance depict human virtues and vices. Some images on the reliefs still remain a mystery to art historians.
Address: Jakobstraße 3. The church on Jakobstraße is open daily for free admission from 8 am to 6 pm.
The abbey complex Kloster Sankt Emmeram was built in the 18th century. on the site where the Holy Martyr Emmeram of Regensburg once lived. At the beginning of the XIX century. the abbey was acquired by the princes of the Thurn und Taxis dynasty, who still own most of the buildings.
Part of the premises is open to tourists. this is a hall with gilded sculptures and furniture from the Rococo era,
Premises open to tourists
a library, a stable and a peasant's room.
Address: Emmeramsplatz, 19. Opening hours: from 10:30 to 16:30. Ticket price - from 3 EUR.
On the territory of Fürstenhaus der Thurn und Taxis, the church of St. Emmerama, originally built in the 8th century. The current baroque building appeared here in the 18th century. Entrance to it is free.
Old chapel in Regensburg
Alte Kapelle is the oldest religious building in Bavaria. Even at the end of the IX century. The Bavarian king Ludwig ordered the construction of a chapel for worship of the royal court. After several reconstructions and restorations, the chapel acquired its present form by the middle of the 18th century.
The outwardly unpretentious facade of Alte Kapelle hides a truly royal interior.
The interior of the Alte Chapel
The magnificent interior decoration is complemented by a miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary with Christ of the 8th century, presented by Pope Benedict VIII to Henry II on the occasion of his coronation as Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. Another rarity is the organ consecrated personally by Pope Benedict XVI in 2006.
The world famous German astronomer and mathematician Johannes Kepler died in Regensburg in 1630. In the house where he lived, there is the Kepler Gedächtnishaus Vorlesen Museum dedicated to his life and scientific work. The Kepler House-Museum presents his books, personal items, letters, documents. Unfortunately, the cemetery with the grave of the scientist has not been preserved. Many works of the scientist were saved for posterity by the outstanding mathematician Leonhard Euler, who worked in Russia and insisted on their acquisition by the St. Petersburg Academy of Sciences.
Kepler Gedächtnishaus Vorlesen
Goliathhaus is an old city house, which has a well-preserved fashion at the end of the 16th century. large-scale painting of the facade walls. A painting by the artist Melchior Boxberger, which appeared in 1573, depicts the biblical David and Goliath.
The house was built back in the 12th century on the foundations of a Roman fortress that stood here earlier. At first it was a shelter for wandering medieval poets, then a wealthy family bought the house. Now the Thurmtheatre operates in the house.
On the banks of the Danube, at the entrance to the city, a monumental neoclassical building standing on a hill, reminiscent of the Athenian Parthenon, attracts attention. It is indeed the prototype of Germany's Walhalla Hall of Fame. German and Scandinavian mythology defines Valhalla as a place of posthumous glory for heroes who fell in battle.
The idea of creating a memorial structure came to the future King of Bavaria Ludwig I in the first decade of the 19th century. These years were difficult for national self-consciousness: after all, Prussia was defeated by Napoleonic France. To maintain the spirit of the nation, visible images of former glorious times were required. The architect Leo von Klenze realized the plan of Ludwig in the period from 1830 to 1842.
358 marble steps lead to the entrance to the monumental "German Parthenon". The pediment of the front facade with 62 Doric columns is decorated with 16 allegorical statues of the German states that ever existed.
The erected busts did not have to belong to male warriors. Learned writers, church leaders and even women were also allowed. Pan-Germanism became the determining criterion, so representatives of other states can also be seen in the Valhalla Hall of Fame.
By the time of the coronation of Ludwig I in 1825, 60 busts were ready, and when the Hall was opened in 1842, 96 busts and 64 memorial plaques were installed in it. Since that time, the Bavarian government has added 32 busts and one plaque. In particular, composers Bach, Gluck and Haydn, philosopher Kant, Chancellor Bismarck, scientists Kepler and Einstein are immortalized in the hall. Among the current 193 commemorative signs, four belong to the figures of Russian history: Catherine the Great, and Field Marshals Minich, Barclay de Tolly and Dibich-Zabalkansky. 12 commemorative signs are dedicated to women.
Address: Walhallastraße 48. The Valhalla Hall of Fame is open from 09:00 to 15:45–17:45. The ticket costs 4 EUR. Directions - by bus routes RVV-Line 5 and Line 5B in the direction of Donaustauf - Walhalla. From April to October, boats depart from the Steinerne brücke bridge in Regensburg at 10:30 and 14 to Walhalla.
Conclusion
Regensburg was lucky: the large-scale destruction of the last war almost did not affect him. The surviving buildings of the historic center evoke some associations with Italian cities: it is no coincidence that Regensburg is called "the northernmost Italian city." There is no doubt that it is the most “Italian” German city.
Regensburg, Germany is an ancient city located in the state of Bavaria, the capital of the Upper Palatinate region and the residence of the Metropolitan of the Roman Catholic Church. It is one of the popular tourist routes, famous for a large number of architectural monuments, churches, cathedrals, museums and other historical sites.
General information
Regensburg is one of the most ancient cities in Germany, founded in 79 BC. e. It got its name from the Regen River, which flows nearby and connects its waters with the Danube. Its history began with an ordinary observation post, which soon turned into a stronghold of an entire province, and later became the capital of the Bavarian rulers and the richest settlement of the then Prussia. thousand people. At the same time, it is the fourth most populous city in Bavaria and annually receives about 2 million tourists who seek to see its legendary buildings not only in the photo of Regensburg, but also live. And it is also an important cultural, economic, scientific and educational center, which played a big role in the development of its region.
On a note! Regensburg is a good start for getting to know Bavaria. Thanks to the developed railway connection, you can go from here to any tourist destination in the region. At the same time, most trains have Bayern Ticket Nacht, a special travel card that allows you to save on travel.
sights
Museums, monuments, galleries and other sights of Regensburg in Germany are located in the very center of the city, which will certainly appeal to those who came here only for 1 day. Let's go through the main, most memorable places.
Old city
In the old districts of Regensburg, you can see many architectural monuments belonging to different historical periods. The Old City is about 1000 ancient buildings, distinguished by their peculiar architecture and dating back more than one millennium. These are luxurious ancestral palaces, and high towers, decorated in the style of Northern Italy, and neat colored houses, and numerous public buildings, the facades of which are able to compete with works of world art. The most famous of them are:
- residential tower Baumburger Turm.
- the Goliathhouse building, where Oskar Schindler lived during the war,
- the Niedermünsterkirche, in the cellars of which objects dating back to the early Middle Ages were found,
- the palace complex of the ruling family of Thurn und Taxis and many other architectural monuments that you have yet to learn about.
And what are the names of its streets and squares! Street of the Black Bear, Three Crowns, Jolly Turk and Goliath, Coal, Grain and Wine markets, Swan Square - centuries-old secrets breathe from them. Oddly enough, the historical center of Regensburg was almost not damaged during World War II, so all the buildings have survived to this day. Now cafes, hotels, restaurants, boutiques and shops are opening next to them. This combination looks rather unusual. Currently, this place is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and is one of the most visited corners of Bavaria.
The Regensburg Cathedral in Regensburg, made in the Gothic style, is considered one of the main architectural attractions not only of this city, but of the whole of Bavaria. Its construction lasted more than 200 years and ended only in the 11th century. Like the rest of the churches, he changed several styles and experienced a number of cardinal reconstructions.
The gloomy interior of the cathedral evokes melancholy and amazes with its beauty. Luxurious stained-glass windows, ancient iconostases, a cellar with crypts, marble sculptures endowed with a special meaning - the scale of the work performed and the skill of the architects are worthy of great respect. On weekends in Regensburg Cathedral, you can listen to the Domspatzen, the famous boys' choir, which the locals call cathedral sparrows.
On a note! You can find St. Peter's Cathedral by two spiers towering over the city. They can be seen from all corners of Regensburg.
Address: Domplatz 5, 93047, Regensburg, Bavaria, Germany
Opening hours:
- April, May, October: from 06:30 to 18:00;
- June - September: from 06:30 to 19:00;
- November - March: from 06:30 to 17:00.
During church services or special events, visiting the cathedral is not possible.
Looking at the photo of the sights of Regensburg, you will surely notice the Monastic Church of Our Lady or, as it is also called, the old city chapel. This is one of the oldest religious buildings in Germany. The first mention of this temple dates back to the early Middle Ages.
and is associated with the name of the then king of Bavaria, Louis the German. It was he who ordered the construction of a chapel in which liturgies would be held for members of the royal family.
Over the long years of its existence, Alte Kapelle has been rebuilt more than a dozen times. It acquired its current appearance only at the end of the 18th century. Then its architecture was given elements of the Rococo style, and the interior decoration received a nice bonus in the form of paintings by famous German artists.
The main pride of the Old Chapel is the miraculous icon of the Mother of God, which appeared in the church in the 15th century and was written, according to legend, by one of the 12 apostles. In addition, in the church you can see the organ consecrated by the Pope himself.
On a note! You can get inside the temple not only during the service, but also as part of a tourist group. Tours lasting 45 minutes are held once a month from May to October.
Address: Alter Kornmarkt 8, 93047, Regensburg, Bavaria, Germany
Looking for photos of the sights of Regensburg with a description for you, we simply could not pass by the Church of St. Emmeram, named after one of the bishops of Bavaria. Having been born in the first half of the 13th century, the temple has repeatedly changed its appearance. Its current architecture is in the Azam baroque style.
Building Emmeram Church consists of 3 naves and the same number of choirs. The transept, located in the western part of the temple, is decorated with ceiling paintings on religious themes, and the northern portal is decorated with gilded reliefs. An equally significant element of the interior decoration of the church is a unique altar, complemented by a sculptural composition "Descent from the Cross of the Messiah." Not far from the Church of St. Emmeram is the residence of the aristocratic family of Thurn and Taxis. Of course, you are unlikely to get inside this luxurious palace, but you can always admire it from afar.
- Address: Emmeramsplatz, 93047, Regensburg, Bavaria, Germany.
- Opening hours: Sun. – Sat: from 08:00 to 19:30.
The list of the main attractions of Regensburg includes the Old Stone Bridge, which connects the opposite banks of the Danube. The construction of this structure, which later became the prototype for the Charles Bridge in Prague, lasted more than 10 years and was completed only in 1142. In the middle of the 15th century 3 monumental towers appeared on it, but only one has survived to this day. Now it is equipped with an observation deck, which offers an excellent view of the historical part of the city, and an exhibition hall belonging to the Museum of Shipping.
For a long time, the Stone Bridge was almost the only way to cross, so earlier they not only walked on it, but also drove. Now it remains an exclusive pedestrian area, which is loved by both tourists and locals.
Despite the fact that the Old Stone Bridge in Germany is often called the masterpiece of world bridge building, its shape is far from ideal proportions. There are many legends associated with this fact. According to one of them, the architect who was responsible for the construction of this object wanted to build something really grandiose so much that he was not afraid to make a deal with the devil himself. However, when the work on the building was almost completed, the architect violated the terms of the contract. The angry devil tried to destroy the bridge, but nothing came of it - he survived, but bent strongly. So Old Stone Bridge remains today.
Where to find: Steinerne Brücke, 93059, Regensburg, Bavaria, Germany.
If you intend to explore all the sights of Regensburg in one day, be sure to check out the Golf Museum, located in the basement of an old antique shop. Being one of the best sports panopticons in Europe, it receives several thousand visitors every year.
There really is something to see here. The Europäisches Golfmuseum collection, created over half a century, contains a huge number of rare and incredibly expensive exhibits. Sculptures, paintings, posters, posters, players' personal items and costumes, medieval hockey sticks - each of these items accurately reflects the 700-year history of the most accurate sport.
You can visit the Golf Museum both independently and as part of an excursion - they are held daily. In addition, multimedia shows are regularly shown here that can interest not only adults, but also children.
- Address: Taendlergasse 3, 93047 Regensburg, Bavaria, Germany.
- Opening hours: Mon. – Sat: from 10:00 to 18:00.
The Old Town Hall in Regensburg is a complex of ancient buildings located on the famous Town Hall Square. The building of one of the oldest architectural sights of the city was rebuilt several times, so it mixed many different styles that are not similar to each other (Gothic, Empire, Baroque, Romanesque and Renaissance). In the Middle Ages, the Reichstag of the Holy Roman Empire was located within the walls of the Altes Rathaus. The main reminders of those dark times for Regensburg are the luxurious Dance Room, the Imperial Hall, in which a high-ranking judicial board met, and the city's casemate, located in the basement. You can still see prison cells, interrogation rooms, cells for prisoners sentenced to death, medieval instruments of torture and other elements in it.
Currently, the premises of the Old Town Hall are occupied by the city administration and the Reichstagsmuseum, dedicated to the history of the mighty medieval state.
Address: Rathausplatz 1, 93047, Regensburg, Bavaria, Germany.
Opening hours:
- Mon. – Thu: from 07:00 to 18:00
- Fri.: from 07:00 to 14:00
Food in the city
Regensburg in Germany has a large number of establishments that can satisfy the needs of all tourists who come here. Of course, there are not so many chic restaurants here as in Berlin or Munich, but there are plenty of cafes and eateries of the average price category. Almost all of them are located right in the center and offer a menu at very affordable prices.
- So, visiting an inexpensive restaurant will cost 10-12 € per person.
- For lunch or dinner for two in a mid-level establishment, you will have to pay about 30 €.
- If you plan to visit McDonalds or any other fast food, then get ready to spend from 6 to 8 €.
On a note! Perhaps the most ancient gastronomic attraction of this city is the Sausage Kitchen, a small house located near the Stone Bridge. As the first eatery in Regensburg, it is famous for its incredibly delicious German sausages.
Where to stay?
The hotel fund of Regensburg is based on family mini-hotels designed for a small number of guests. Most of them are located in close proximity to the historical center, where the main city attractions are concentrated. The cost of a double room in a 3 * hotel is from 55 to 155 €, in a 4 * - from 100 to 180 €.
On a note! To save some money, you can look for hotels in other urban areas. Given the relatively small size of Regensburg, you will still be close to the most visited tourist sites.
How to get there?
The city of Regensburg in Germany does not have its own airport, so most tourists are forced to get here from Munich and Nuremberg. This can be done in 3 ways. Let's consider each of them.
Regensburg Train Station, with trains from most German metropolitan areas, is 5 minutes from the city centre. At the same time, these directions are served by 2 carriers at once - the national concern D-Bahn and the regional company Die Länderbahn GmbH. As for the bus service, the D-Bahn already known to you and the largest European company FlixBus are responsible for it.
Separately, it should be said about the local autobahns. Firstly, they are in a truly perfect condition, secondly, they are completely free, and thirdly, they have no speed limits (on the territory of Bavaria there are only recommended rates of 130 km / h).
As for tickets, you can buy them at the box office and special machines.
On a note! If you are not satisfied with any of these options, book a transfer from the airport or hotel. The car will cost 160-180€. This is an ideal option for those who do not know German or who arrive in the city late in the evening. You can order a transfer on a Russian-language website, indicating all the necessary information (time and place of landing / destination) and making full or partial payment.
Prices on the page are for July 2019.
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