Regensburg Things to Do

What?

Castra Regina, or 'Roman Fortress', gave the city it's present name - Regensburg. And the city still has a few things to show for its Roman heritage:

- Roman wall: you can see this at Unter den Schwibbogen/Bischofshof. Both the wall and the arch below have been dated at about 180 AD by archaeologists

- Porta Praetoria: the massive arch that was formerly part of the fortress itself. Looks quite striking against the white walls

- Historical Museum: ok, this is not just ancient Roman artifacts, but they still are a major focus

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This stone bridge crosses the Danube and joins the Altstadt to the area known as Stadthamhof (once more or less a separate town, now also part of the Unesco World Heritage site).

The bridge dates from the 1300s, although the little statue in the centre (the 'Bruckmandel') was placed there in the 1700s.

Once, there were watchtowers in several places on the bridge but the only one now remaining is that on the Altstadt bank (the Bruckterm).

The views from the bridge are lovely, especially when the river is high........I imagine it is a pretty spectacular place when the river is in full flood.

There's no traffic, so it makes a very pleasant walk (even in the rain!).

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The oldest bit of this rather lovely building is the tower, 55m tall and towering above the Rathausplatz.

Then came the 14th century Gothic Reichsaal, now part of the Reichstagmuseum (entered from next door to the Altes Rathaus, which has Tourist Information on its ground floor).

Wish I'd had the time and inclination to explore a bit more....but I was very damp and rather chilled by the time I got to this part of Regensburg.

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.........and not just in the centre of the Altstadt.

You'll find beautiful buildings everywhere, many really very old indeed, with so many interesting details.

Here are just a few of the ones I noticed whilst wandering in the rain.

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Even if you do not visit any of these (and they are mostly not open to the public, I think) you won't be able to miss them as you wander the Altstadt.

The tallest is the nine-story 'Goldener Turm' on Wahlenstrasse, but perhaps the most famous is the 'Goliathhaus' on Watmarkt. It dates from the 13th century, but a mural (fresco?) depicting David and Goliath was added in the 1700s, and hence its name.

They are truly lovely buildings, although difficult to photograph (many of the streets are too narrow for one to get far enough away).

What must it have felt like to be a Medieval lady....or the daughter of the house..........to stand right at the top of ones house (often there is an open loggia-type balcony) and gaze out across the rooftops into the far distance, watching the ships on the Danube, travelling to places unknown and (most probably) never to be visited?

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St Peter's Cathedral...........building started in 1273, but there was a church here from at least 700 as well as a previous cathedral which was demolished after the new one was completed around 1320.

It's undergone changes since then, of course. Graceful rib-vaulting lies 32m overhead, columns are supported by carvings of hard-working ordinary folk, there are Medieval altars to admire and beautiful Medieval stained glass windows.

At the crossing are Medieval figures of the Angel Gabriel and Mary, facing each other at the Annunciation. They date from around 1280, and Gabrel is known as 'the Smiling Angel', delivering his news with a big grin.

Do have a close look at the highly-decorated West Front as you leave. There are so many sculptures and carvings to explore....including the pre-Christian ('pagan') Green Man.

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Jahninsel is small island between two arms of the Danube directly under the Old Stone Bridge. People spend time there relaxing, meeting friends and having small parties. Everyone can bring his own food and drinks. The perfect place for a break!

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The Regensburg Cathedral (German: Kathedrale St. Peter or Regensburger Dom) is the most important church and landmark of the city of Regensburg. The church is the prime example of Gothic architecture in southern Germany.
Opening Hours: 6.30am - 6pm (April 1st - October 31st), 6.30am - 5pm (November 1st - March 31st)
Services: 7am during the week, 10am on Sunday with the world famous Regensburger Domspatzen (choir)
Entrance free