Stone Bridges and Medieval Cathedrals Entice Visitors to Regensburg, Germany

ONE OF GERMANY’S OLDEST CITIES, THE ROMAN REMAINS AND MEDIEVAL SITES IN REGENSBURG APPEAL TO ITS VISITORS.

The city of Regensburg was founded in 719 AD. Visitors see Regensburg as an intact old city, complete with its many historical sites. It was spared from the many Allied bombings during World War II. Today, it stands near the University of Regensburg, which keeps the city full of energy. There are many sites that you can visit, and the people are very welcoming.

Stone Bridge

There is an interesting piece of Roman history on the street of Unter den Schwibbogen, which is located near the Danube river. It is built with stone blocks, and the former gateway of entrance for the northern wall of the Castra Regina. This former wall surrounded the Roman camp and is survived by the city today. The gate dates to the 2nd century and is strategically placed to face where the Regen river flows into the Danube. Among the perimeter ruins of the city remains the 12th-century stone bridge. The construction of the bridge more permanently replaced Charlemagne’s wooden bridge. It was the only crossing in and out of the city up until the 1930’s.

St Peter’s Cathedral

The St Peter’s Cathedral is one of southern Germany’s finest examples of Gothic architecture. It sits near the middle of the Roman city, and easily dominates the skyline of the city, standing much taller and most uniquely within the area. As the pinnacle of southern German Gothic art, St Peter’s Cathedral can keep you enthralled with its detailed architecture and art. From the statuary on the main portal to its vestigial Romanesque tower the oldest part of the building is the cathedral towards the north. The choir inside greets you with the most complete sets of Medieval stained glass of any church in the German-speaking world.

Alte Kapelle

The Alte Kapelle is the oldest Catholic place of worship, first established in the 800’s. Though it is officially known as the Basilica of the Nativity of Our Lady, the Alte Kapelle dates to be the oldest Catholic place of worship in Bavaria. It was first established in the 800’s by Charlemagne’s grandson, Ludwig the German. The building we see now was built by Henry II, the Holy Roman Emperor at the beginning of the 11th century. In fact, when the current organ was placed, Pope Benedict XVI visited in 2006 to dedicate and bless it. Years prior, the 1400’s brought the Alte Kapelle its extension to have a High Gothic choir. Later, the 1700’s overhauled its interior by Anton Landes: to create one of Germany’s most sumptuous furnished churches. The complexity of the work and grandeur of the frescoes among the walls and ceiling of the building is mesmerizing. This building is the pinnacle of the hidden beauties in the city. From the outside, one would never guess the density of its beauty unless taking upon the invitation to enter.

The Goliath House

The Goliathstraße is a medieval house. It dates back to 1260 and was built on what used to be the southern wall of the Roman camp. The eye is immediately drawn to the mural of David and Goliath on the outside of the building wall. It was painted in 1573 by Melchoir Bocksberger of Salzburg. The house currently has a restaurant named David on the upper floor, overlooking one of Regensburg’s rooftops.

The Walhalla

You can also visit the Walhalla, modeled as a replica of the Parthenon, which honors laudable and distinguished people in Germany as a memorial for the Anglo-Saxons. It is a neo-classical building overlooking the Danube River. In 1826 Ludwig commissioned the construction of this memorial to be modeled after the Parthenon in Athens. As one of the most popular sites in Germany, the fascinating view of the Danube and the surrounding Gauboden from the Walhalla uniquely charms the “stamp of the glory of the Germans”.

Whether or not you are traveling through Bavaria, I highly recommend your visit to Regensburg. The novelty of its history brings a fresh understanding of history being passed down generations.

Tips for Travelers

An important part of your visit to Regensburg is to learn polite gestures in the German language. Specifically, learn how to order a coffee, because it is an important aspect of European culture. Another recommendation to those traveling in Europe is to walk into chapels and cathedrals that you pass by. Each one is uniquely built and decorated with a purposeful indication of the time frame and changes that it has undergone. There are many impressive churches in Europe from the Renaissance period, to the Reformation. Another important suggestion is to ask the locals where their favorite place to eat is. Food is an important part of life for everyone, and inquiring about food flatters them to know you are interested in their culture. In the case of Regensburg, allow the history to spark your interest so that your time might be valuable and invested in these sites.

Perhaps the next time you find yourself in a museum, or even simply admiring your city, you might pause and register the meaning behind its construction.