Regensburg: The Largest Medieval Marvel in the Lap of the Alps

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Regensburg is one of the oldest cities in Germany, rather in the whole of Europe. Its old Celtic name was Radaspona. It is also the meeting point of the rivers: Danube, Naab, and Regen. The city offers the best of both worlds, in-fact, it is an amazing confluence of medieval architecture and modern living – it is the embodiment of being German. The old town area of Regensburg had received the prestigious title of a UNESCO World Heritage Site on 13th July 2006.

Location:

Regensburg is located at the northern end of the river Danube, in the south-eastern region of Germany. The tributaries Naab and Rain open up at this point and their amalgamation is another beautiful sight to witness. On its north and north east side you can find the Bavarian Forest along with granite and Gneiss Mountains. Towards the eastern and the down the south-east side laid are the fertile grounds of Danube plain. The southern front is dominated by the alpine foothills and the western side is the border of Franconian Jura.

Climate:

Regensburg, as per the Köppen climate classification, its climate is of humid continental type. Though, it also shows signs of a humid temperate type. The summers are rather dry and are nothing like the rainy summers of the Alpine foothills. During the winters it snows and the coldest time of the year is between December and February when the temperatures range between -0.9 to -2.7 degree Celsius on an average. The average temperature of the year reaches up to 8.5 degree Celsius on an average and the warmest months are between June and August. Around this time, the temperatures can scale as high as 16 to 18 degree Celsius on an average.

History:

Regensburg has had an extensive history in civilizational terms. It has been home to various tribes and settlements since the time of the Stone Age. In-fact the oldest recorded name of any settlement residing in the region was Radasbona. Furthermore, the Romans sometime in AD 90 were responsible for the construction of a fort in that area. Also, it was during the reign of the great Marcus Aurelius in AD 179, that Legio II Italica built the Roman fort which was named: Castra Regina. When translated it means a fortress by the river Regen. This fort held immense strategic importance at the northernmost point of the Danube. This region comprises of the central core of the old city or Altstadt of Regensburg, located on the eastern side of the Obere and Untere Bachgasse and is on the western side of Schwanenplatz (Swan Space). In addition to military uses, the region was a hot spot in religious terms as well. Historic documents have shown that it was the seat of a bishop. Furthermore, St. Boniface, in AD 739 was known to have reinstated the Bishopric of Regensburg.

The Agilolfings family was known to have been ruling over the region since the sixth century. Regensburg was also the capital city of Bavaria since AD 530 to the early parts of 13th century. The regions importance did not dissuade till after the reign of Charlemagne. During Charlemagne’s rule, Regensburg played host to the ecclesiastics of his General Assembly. It was only after the bifurcations in the Carolingian Empire in AD 843 that the rule of Regensburg went into the hands of Louis II and it became the seat of power for the Eastern Frankish ruler. In AD 845 fourteen of the Bohemian princes are known to have come here to Regensburg for their Baptism. Moreover, it is around this time that Christianity spread through the Czechs and Regensburg transformed into the mother diocese of Prague. It is due to these regions that the cultural composition of the region changed. Furthermore, the region also witnessed the impact of the first wave of crusades at the hands of Peter the Hermit and mass conversion of the Jews that were to follow.

It was between 1135 and 1148 that a stone bridge was constructed across the river Danube and thereby opening up many international trade routes. Thereon, Regensburg prospered and became a crucial centre of culture in the southern parts of Germany.

As the Middle Ages approached, the wealth through trade and the cultural dynamisms re-transformed the city and it came to be known as a Free Imperial City. Later-on, towards the end of 15th century, the Duchy of Bavaria took control of Regensburg but only a decade later was its independence restored by the Holy Roman Empire. 1542 is a crucial year in Regensburg’s history as it adopted Protestant Reformation but the city did not completely moved away from Roman Catholicism. On the other hand, its Town Council entirely remained Lutheran. Also, it is important to note that the seat of many abbeys and Roman Catholic Bishops still remained in the town of Regensburg.

The region still was a major attraction because it held a permanent seat in the Imperial Diet of the Holy Roman Empire. Though there still remained only a handful that affiliated themselves to the Roman Catholic Church, these people faced a lot of adversities as they were stripped of any civil rights.

The city was indoctrinated into the Principality of Regensburg in 1803 and therefore lost its status of a free city. Its control now was in the hands of the Archbishop of Mainz and Archchancellor of the Holy Roman Empire. Through these complications, public life was modernised, and equal rights were given to both Protestants and Roman Catholics. Regensburg also witnessed the Battle of Ratisbon but ended up being overrun. It suffered massive amounts of damages and looting.

As the modern times emerged, Regensburg became a centre of an aircraft factory and an oil refinery. Though, these structures were bombed by the Allied armies first on August the 17th, 1943 and also on the 5th of February, 1945. Furthermore, most of the medieval city survived the air raids but it did lose its most important possession, the Romanesque church of Obermünster. It was only during the 1960’s when a massive preservation drive was being conducted that the city was refurbished and the damaged buildings were tried to be reinstated to their former glory.

Regensburg after 1945 was the site of the largest Displaced Persons Camp in Germany. During the 1960’s Regensburg invested in the rebuilding of social and technical infrastructures to facilitate industrial growth and as was seen, it succeeded in its endeavours. Industries like Siemens came up in 1971; Regensburg University of Applied Sciences was built. Furthermore, a BMW production plant was created in 1986 and since the 1990’s OSRAM, Infineon and many big companies have invested in the region.

Due to the preservation drive and the German spirit, the World Heritage Committee listed the Old Town of Regensburg as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2006. It is the largest in terms of size, well preserved medieval city north of the Alps.

More about the region:

Regensburg’s urban areas are the composition of the two Danube islands: Upper Wöhrd and Lower Wöhrd. The Old Town has a marine bypass. The four metropolitan areas of the region are:

  • The Franconian Jura ,
  • The Bavarian Forest ,
  • Danube level or the Lower Bavarian Lößebene ( Gäuboden ) and
  • The Lower Bavarian Tertiary –Hügelland

These spaces mark the expanses and shape of the city which is situated in the form of a classic doors location. It is in-fact located at a point of transition which is between the narrowness and expanse of its topography. It is here that the river Danube leaves the hills and mountains and finally flows into the Gäubodenebene.

The main attractions:

If you are able to find adequate time then exploring the entire city will be the best thing to do. But, as is mostly the case, one does not always have enough time in hand. Moreover, below is the list of the main attractions in the city.

  • The Cathedral Dom: Designed in the pure German gothic tradition, its construction began in the year 1275 and with the additions and expansions it was finally completed in 1869. Among other things you can also find a particular masterpiece by Peter Vischer.
  • The Stone Bridge: It was built between 1135 and 1146. The bridge solely was responsible for the linkage of many international trade routes with Regensburg.
  • The Regensburg Sausage Kitchen: It is one of the major tourist attractions of the region and a favorite among the locals as well. It is located adjacent to the stone bridge.
  • Ruins of Roman Fortress: Though not much of the fortress remains apart from a few standing walls and crumbled bricks and stones. This site has been crucial in the history of Regensburg and therefore a must visit.
  • The Church of St. James: Otherwise known as the Schottenkirche. It is a Romanesque basilica from the 12th It was attached to the monastery of Irish Benedictines. It is also located next to the Jakobstor which is a medieval city gate.
  • Church of St. Ulrich: It an old parish belonging to the 13th This is in-fact where you can find the diocesan museum of religious art and antique collections of great value.
  • Church of Obermünster: It dates back to 1010, this Romanesque basilica is among the very few German churches which have a detached bell tower.
  • The Adler-Apotheke: This is one interesting structure. Adler-Apotheke is the among the oldest pharmacies in Regensburg dating back to 1610. It has been maintained in an excellent condition and still house the ancient interiors and vessels.
  • The Old Town Hall: They are quite easily visible and date back to the 14th The towers used to house the Imperial diet between 1663 and 1806.
  • Gothic villa of the king of Bavaria: It is located on the bank of the river Danube.

 

In addition to these there is a public library from where you can access all the historical documents and an extensive collection of literature. Also, there is the picture gallery, botanical garden and a curious looking institute of stained glass.

There are two classical buildings near to Regensburg which were constructed by the decree of Ludwig I of Bavaria. They are representative of patriotism and appreciate the greatness of Germany. Furthermore, there is also the Weltenburg Abbey which is a Benedictine monastery. It is located right on the Danube, near to the Kelheim. It is the oldest monastery in Bavaria and was said to have been built sometime around AD 620.

Visitors can also find a few memorial sites in the city of Regensburg dedicated to the horrors of World War II, intolerance, and human dignity. They can be listed as:

  • Memorial for the victims of the Holocaust
  • Memorial for the victims of euthanasy
  • Memorial for concentration camp and war prisoners
  • Memorial for violence against women

The city is an even confluence of medieval architecture and modern living. It boasts of an attractive nightlife with over 500 bars, multi cuisine restaurants, and a variety of clubs. Moreover, twice every year, Regensburg also hosts the city’s Volkfest, which is also the fourth largest of its kind in Bavaria. Hundreds and thousands of people flock here each year just to attend the festival.

Finally, travelling within and outside the city is not difficult at all. You can take the Regensburg Hauptbahnhof, which is the central station and though this point you are well connected to all the major cities of Germany. In addition, there are two major roads connecting the city, the A3 and the A93. Through these points you’re well connected with Frankfurt and Munich respectively. For the purpose of local travel, there are busses and taxis.