Where is Regensburg located? Open left menu Regensburg. Churches and temples. Which ones are worth visiting?

A masterpiece of medieval architecture, the Stone Bridge (Steinernen Br cke) is located in the German city of Regensburg. It was completely completed in the 40s of the 12th century, and the construction itself lasted 11 years.

Construction of the bridge began on the orders of Louis VII to ensure the passage of the Danube to the crusaders of the Second Crusade. For 8 centuries, the stone bridge was the only crossing over the river in the city.

A sculpture of a boy (Bruckmandl) was installed on the bridge in 1446. True, at the moment, the installed sculpture is a little over 150 years old.

The bridge has its own creation legend. Allegedly, the architect of the bridge made a deal with the devil to help complete the construction of the bridge. According to the terms of the deal, the first three souls to set foot on the bridge were to be taken by the devil. But the bridge builder outwitted the evil one by sending a chicken, a rooster and a dog across the finished bridge. Angry, the devil wanted to destroy the bridge, but he never succeeded.

Cathedral of St. Peter

One of the most notable attractions of the German city of Regensburg, and, perhaps, of the whole of Bavaria, is the beautiful St. Peter's Cathedral.

It was built of stone during Carolingian rule and was the residence of the bishop. In the 11th century, the territory of the church was expanded. In the 12th century, the cathedral was badly damaged during a fire, and it was decided to demolish it, and instead of the old one, a new cathedral in the Gothic style was built in the 13th century.

Over the years there have been constant rebuildings and reconstructions. The appearance that the cathedral has now was acquired in the middle of the 19th century. In those days, two high towers were completed, as if woven from stone lace. Standing in the square in front of the cathedral, it is difficult to see the top of the towers, they are so high.

Inside the building there are beautiful stained glass windows and frescoes dating back to the 14th century. The Bishop's Palace houses jewelry that has a long history.

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Goliath's House in Regensburg

Goliath House (Goliath House) is one of the remarkable ancient buildings that in the past belonged to Regensburg nobles. It is located almost in the center of Regensburg, or, to be more precise, between the Town Hall and Cathedral Square. The house once belonged to the Thundorfer family. There is an opinion that before her there was a shelter for wandering poets.

It is unlikely that you will be able to walk past the building without stopping to look at the beautiful monumental painting on the façade of the building. The subject for the fresco was a story from the Bible - the fight between Goliath and David. By the way, it was thanks to this painting that the house received its name Goliathhaus (House of Goliath).

The building was built in the 12th century, but the painting appeared only in 1573. Its author was the famous artist Melchior Boxberger.

Currently, Goliath House houses a theater.

The main Baroque buildings of Regensburg are concentrated on the Alter Kornmarkt square. As you might guess from the name, it served as a corn market for centuries. The façade of the Ducal Palace (Herzogshof) overlooks this square. The current building was built in the 13th century. Even after Regensburg became a free imperial city in 1245, Herzogshof and the area on which it is located remained the possession of the Dukes of Bavaria.

Forming an arch over the passage to Domplatz, an overpass connects the palace with the Roman Tower (Romer Turm). The foundations of this building date back to Carolingian times. The walls of this tower are impressively thick - 4 meters, so it is believed that it was used to store treasures and shelter in case of danger.

St Emmeram's Abbey

St Emmeram's Abbey is a magnificent ancient building, the foundations of which were laid in the 18th century. The former abbey is thus one of the oldest ecclesiastical buildings in Germany.

The abbey was founded on the site of the Catholic martyr Emmeram, after whom the building was named. In the 17th-18th centuries, the abbey was rebuilt in the pompous Baroque style, which has been preserved to this day. The facade of the palace is richly decorated with beautiful sculptures, elaborate curls and stucco.

Since 1809, the monastery was transformed into a palace of the princely family of Thurn and Taxis, whose descendants still own it to this day, so the building is a private property. However, the ancient church at the abbey is a municipal parish, and therefore it is open to the public.

Hall of Fame

The Hall of Fame contains sculptures of outstanding German historical figures.

The building was built in the neoclassical style by the architect Leo von Klenze. This architect is known for the construction of the New Hermitage building in St. Petersburg. The idea for the Hall of Fame came from Prince Ludwig, who believed that the greatest monument should be erected to commemorate the greatest German representatives since the Battle of the Teutoburg Forest in 9 AD. It was planned to place sculptures of not only warriors, but also cultural figures in the building.

The size of the Hall of Fame is almost similar to the size of the Parthenon of the Athenian Acropolis. The length of the building is almost 49 meters, width – 14 meters, height – almost 16 meters. When the Hall opened in 1842, it contained 96 busts and 64 plaques. Now the museum has 193 memorial signs, among which 12 are dedicated to women.

Also in the Hall are four busts of famous Russian personalities who are of German origin: Empress Catherine the Great, Field Marshals Minich and Barclay de Tolly and Count Diebitsch-Zabalkansky.

The most popular attractions in Regensburg with descriptions and photographs for every taste. Choose the best places to visit famous places in Regensburg on our website.

Regensburg (Germany) - the most detailed information about the city with photos. The main attractions of Regensburg with descriptions, guides and maps.

City of Regensburg (Germany)

Best time to visit Regensburg

Regensburg can be visited at any time and season. It all depends on your preferences. Since the city is located in the south of Germany, the climate here is quite warm and comfortable. In winter, slight frosts and unstable snow cover are possible. The least number of tourists is in March-April and October-November.

Table of temperatures and precipitation

Shopping, shopping, eating and drinking

Regensburg offers excellent shopping opportunities. Among the winding old streets there are countless small and large shops and boutiques that offer a wide range of different goods from souvenirs to branded items. Almost every area has a large shopping center. The largest among them are Regensburg Arcaden and Donau Einkaufszentrum.

There are more than 500 restaurants and other similar establishments of various price categories, which are mainly concentrated in the historical center.

In terms of food, Regensburg has an excellent variety of places from traditional cuisine and beer snacks to European and international cuisine in high-end restaurants. There really are a lot of different pizzerias and Italian cuisine (almost more than traditional taverns). First of all, you should try the famous Bavarian sausages with white mustard. The most famous place of this kind and the oldest (the history of the establishment goes back more than 500 years) is “Wurstkuchl”, located near the famous stone bridge.

Although Bavaria grows grapes and makes good wine, the main drink is beer. It's just great here. Regensburg has a long beer tradition and three operating breweries that produce a variety of beers. I recommend trying Weissbier (wheat beer), Bischofshof. Among the old beer taverns, Alte Linde, Spital Garten (near the bridge), Kneitinger (on Arnulfsplatz) stand out.

Events

Regensburg is one of the cultural centers of Bavaria. Events and activities include:

• Maidult is a May festival with a fair. Takes place from mid-May to the end of the month.
• Herbstdult - autumn festival with fair. Takes place from late August to mid-September.
• Christmas markets - every year from the beginning of December

Story

Regensburg is one of the most ancient cities in Germany, which has changed several names throughout history. Even before the Romans, there was a Celtic settlement called Radasbona. At the beginning of our era, the Roman fortress of Castra Regina was founded, but destroyed during the Marcomanni invasion in the 2nd century.

After Marcomanni was repelled, by order of Emperor Marcus Aurelius, a Roman camp was founded here, which by the 4th century turned into a fortified settlement.

After the fall of the Roman Empire, Regensburg became the capital of the Bavarian Dukes of Agilolfing (5th to 8th centuries). In the 9th century, Regensburg became the largest religious center not only in Bavaria, but throughout Germany. In the 12th century, Regensburg develops into one of the richest cities in Germany, trading with Paris, Venice and Kievan Rus. At this time, a stone bridge was built, which at that time was a masterpiece of engineering science. This bridge is a century older than the Charles Bridge in Prague.

At the beginning of the 13th century, Regensburg received the status of an imperial city. After almost a century of conflict between the authorities of Regensburg and the church authorities and the nearby Duchy of Bavaria, the city suffered economic decline. At the end of the 15th century it was annexed to Bavaria. However, it soon regained its independence, becoming at the same time an ordinary imperial city.

At the beginning of the 14th century, the city was surrounded by a stone wall with five gates and fortress towers. The remains of these walls are still visible, and the area bounded by these walls began to be called the Old Town.

The 16th century was a turning point in the history of Regensburg. During the reign of Emperor Rudolf II, a tradition arose to hold Reichstags there, and since 1663 the Permanent Reichstag of the Holy Roman Empire has been held here. However, economically this did not greatly affect his well-being.

In the 18th century, after the fall of the Holy Roman Empire, the Principality of Regensburg was formed. In 1809, Regensburg found itself almost at the center of the Napoleonic Wars, and in 1810 it became part of the Kingdom of Bavaria. From that moment until the present, the city became a Bavarian province.

Regensburg suffered virtually no damage during World War II.

Architecture

In the old town of Regensburg there are about one and a half thousand buildings and structures that are of high historical value and cover historical periods from the times of the Holy Roman Empire, the Middle Ages and to the present day. Many architectural monuments are protected at the state level. On the old streets you can find almost all architectural styles, but, of course, German Gothic and Italian motifs predominate.

Sights of Regensburg

The main attraction of Regensburg is the perfectly preserved medieval city center with an ancient cathedral and an ancient stone bridge. The city has the largest preserved medieval historic center in Germany. It is often called "Italy's northernmost city" due to its large number of medieval merchant houses and Italian-style towers, as well as cozy street cafes.

The Stone Bridge is a masterpiece of medieval architecture in Germany. Besides the cathedral, it is the most important symbol of Regensburg and, of course, the basis for the inclusion of the old city in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The stone bridge was built in just 11 years between 1135 - 1146. In the Middle Ages, Regensburg needed a permanent crossing of the Danube for its economic growth. For almost 800 years, until 1935, it remained the only bridge that connected the two banks of the city.

The stone arches of the bridge are about 300 meters long. And the base of the bridge is sixteen feet (almost 5 meters). Initially, the bridge was guarded by three bridge towers. Today, only one of them has survived - Brückturm, which has an excellent observation deck.

Walking along the Stone Bridge is one of the must-do things that every tourist should do. This ancient bridge served as the model for the famous Charles Bridge in Prague. Currently, traffic on the bridge is prohibited and it is only for pedestrians.

Regensburg's main cathedral, named after St. Petra is one of the main masterpieces of Gothic architecture in Bavaria. Its architecture is particularly distinguished by its high Gothic towers, which are visible from almost all points of the historical center. Also impressive are the colorful stained glass windows from the 13th and 14th centuries and the Gothic vaults from the 15th century. Built in the mid-12th century by builders from Northern Italy, the Chapel of All Saints is evocative of Ravenna and can be visited with a guide. Cathedral of St. Petra is the only purely Gothic cathedral in Bavaria.

Historical city center - Old Chapel

The old chapel is located on the square of the old market, where grain used to be traded. It is considered the oldest church in Bavaria. From 1747, the Romanesque basilica and its late Gothic vault were rebuilt in the Bavarian Rococo style. The main rarity is the miraculous image of the Virgin Mary with Christ. It was a gift from Pope Benedict VIII to Emperor Henry II in honor of his coronation in 1014.

On the western outskirts of the Old Town, near the city park, you can see the towers of the Scottish Church of St. James. The former Benedictine monastery developed in the 12th century into one of the most important and largest Romanesque church buildings in Bavaria. Particularly impressive is the entrance to the church - the “Schottenportal” with stunning ornaments, sculptures and bas-reliefs that depict the Last Judgment, heaven and hell.

The Neupfarrkirche Evangelical Church is one of the most important Protestant churches in Regensburg, located in the old Jewish quarter. The church building, with its Renaissance facade and late Gothic elements, as well as two tall Gothic towers, stands out in the architecture of the old town.

The Dominican Church at Albertus-Magnus-Platz is one of the best examples of early Gothic architecture in Germany. Built in the 13th century. It stands out for its simplicity of form and interior.

Basilica of St. Emmerama was built in the eighth century, rebuilt in Baroque style in the 18th century. The former Benedictine monastery was one of the most important monasteries in Bavaria and today is one of the main churches of Regensburg.

One of the most important buildings in the historical center of Regensburg is the Old Town Hall with its imposing tower. It is also one of the oldest civil buildings, dating back to the 13th century. The Town Hall is located on the central market square. Combines Gothic and Baroque styles.

In the Old Town Hall you can visit the historical hall, which hosted the Reichstag of the Holy Roman Empire, and also houses a medieval torture chamber. This hall was one of the main centers of the Empire.

Porta Praetoria is considered one of the oldest surviving buildings in Regensburg, dating back almost 2,000 years. In Roman times, this was the northern entrance to the city. Parts of the Roman wall are built into the medieval building.

In the southern part of old Regensburg, near the main railway station, is the princely residence of Schloss Thurn und Taxis. This is a magnificent complex of buildings of a former Benedictine monastery. The oldest buildings date back to the 8th century. The former monastery is therefore one of the oldest and most important monasteries in Bavaria.

The Golden Tower in the old town was built in the second half of the 13th century. Wealthy families built such towers as a status symbol. The more important the family, the higher the tower was. The residential tower, over 50 meters high, rises beautifully above the city's rooftops. The impressive courtyard is open to the public at any time.

Among the historical buildings, you should pay attention to the Goliath House, built in the 13th century. The painting on the building is believed to have been painted around 1573 and depicts the battle of David and Goliath. The house stands in the southern part of the old town on the foundations of an old Roman fortress.

Next to the bridge there is also an interesting old historical building from the early 17th century - the Salt House, where they used to trade salt.

Regensburg's attractions don't end there. In the Old Town, among the medieval streets, you can find many more interesting things!

Route to the main attractions of Regensburg on the map

We offer a route through the most important and interesting sights of Regensburg. Please note that the historical center of the city is very compact and the route is quite simple for any tourist.

Video - city of Regensburg

In the spring, I was again in Bavaria with my Nuremberg friend and continued to get acquainted with Bavarian cities. On my last visit, I went to the most famous ones - Rothenburg ob der Tauber, Bamberg and Würzburg. This time the plans included Amberg, Augsburg, Regensburg.

Regensburg is the capital of the Upper Palatinate region and the residence of the bishop of the Roman Catholic Church, one of the most visited cities in Bavaria by tourists. The city has a very rich history, and this is not surprising, its history begins with a Roman fortress in the 1st century AD. I won’t bore you with the story; anyone interested can read it themselves. But a couple of important milestones:

- from 1245 to 1803 Regensburg was a Free Imperial City;

- From 1663 to 1803 the city was the site of the Permanent Reichstag of the Holy Roman Empire.

So, off I go! After my first trip, I fell in love with German railways for the clarity of their work, convenient website and other advantages. From Nuremberg to Regensburg it is only an hour's ride by train, but this is no longer the Nuremberg zone; you need to buy a Bavarian ticket for 25 euros. Let me remind you once again that it is profitable to travel with a group, since for each subsequent ticket you only pay an additional 3 euros. I'm alone, so I won't be able to save money. The Bavarian ticket starts working at 9-00, I leave by the next train at 9-34 and get off at the train station in Regensburg at 10-38. Although the tablet has a map loaded into maps.me, I, as usual, take a paper one at the information center at the station and set off along the intended route!

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When you leave the station building you see Alley belt, which surrounds the Old Town instead of medieval fortifications. From the station there is Maximilianstrasse. On the right under the trees there is a small St. Peter's Church- the first of many churches in the city.

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Left - Monument to Johannes Kepler. The church once stood in the middle of a Catholic cemetery, and adjacent to it was an evangelical cemetery, where the famous astronomer and mathematician Johannes Kepler was buried in 1630. Three years later, during the Thirty Years' War, his grave was destroyed. In 1808, the residents of Regensburg erected a small round Greek temple with his bust in honor of Kepler in the park on the opposite side of Maximilianstrasse.

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I planned the route in advance to see most of the city’s attractions if possible. Along Maximilianstrasse I reached a beautiful neo-Baroque park hotel building Maximilian, built in 1890,

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St. Peter's Way leads to St Emmeram's Square.

Regensburg is the capital of the Upper Palatinate region, the beautiful classicist buildings on the square are the seat of the regional government. In the center there is a monument to Johann Michael Sailer (1751-1832) - a German Catholic theologian, Bishop of Regensburg.

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But the main thing in this square is the greatest treasure of Regensburg, the former Benedictine Monastery of St. Emmeram, one of the oldest in all of Bavaria. A Gothic double portal from the mid-13th century is the entrance to the monastery territory. But the monastery of St. Emmeram deserves a separate story.

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After the secularization of 1812, the former monastery buildings came into the possession of the Thurn und Taxis family, an aristocratic family that played an important role in the establishment and development of the European postal service. Since 1615, its representatives have been hereditary postmaster generals of the Holy Roman Empire. This is the richest of the former sovereign houses of Europe. After reconstruction of the existing monastery buildings and new buildings, arose Princely Palace of Thurn und Taxis, and the church of St. Emmeram became the parish and home of the Thurn und Taxis family.

I had a good look at the church, but didn’t go to the palace, then I wouldn’t have had enough time for the city. The palace, they say, has more rooms than Buckingham Palace and luxurious interiors. Albert II Maria Lamoral Miguel Johannes Gabriel Prince von Thurn und Taxis, one of the richest people in Germany, still lives there. Now he is 33 years old, and he became a billionaire at the age of seven, having inherited a bank, breweries, mills, and land after the death of his father.

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In addition to the palace, you can visit the princely treasury (a branch of the Bavarian National Museum), as well as the former princely stables and riding schools, where carriages, palanquins, sleighs and ceremonial harnesses from the private collection of the princely family are exhibited.

Visiting the palace is only possible with a guided tour, which is carried out:

- from April to October at 11, 13, 14,15,16 and 17 hours, on Saturday, Sunday and holidays additionally at 10 hours;

- from November to March on Saturday, Sunday and holidays at 10, 11, 13, 14,15 and 16 hours.

On the nearby Waffnergasse street, in a beautiful building with a tower, there is the Brauhaus am Schloss beer garden. Note the coat of arms on the tower. This is the coat of arms of the princes of Thurn und Taxis.

Along Waffnergasse I reached the square Ägidienplatz. The square is named after the Catholic Church of St. Aegidien located on it, built in 1270-1280 and previously belonging to the German Teutonic Order.

Also on the square is a building with a yellow facade, where there was a gymnasium from 1875 to 1964, now housing the services of the Upper Palatinate government; a three-story house of the first quarter of the 20th century for two owners, where princely officials lived; one of the oldest state observatories in Germany, opened in 1812.

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Next square on the way Bismarckplatz.

The square was formed at the beginning of the 19th century, built up with solid buildings, where there were embassies, the residence of one of the princes of Thurn und Taxis. In the 70s of the last century, underground garages were built under the square, while archaeologists carried out excavations and discovered that there was a camp of Roman legionnaires on this site. The skeletons of four horses with severed heads were also discovered, which are now in the city's Historical Museum. They are believed to belong to the burial of a wealthy nobleman, who, according to tradition, had his horses placed in his grave.

Note the two classical style buildings. This Presidential palace, built in 1804-1805 for the French envoy to the Permanent Reichstag. Now the building is occupied by the “House of Music” - a music school. In front of it on the square is one of two fountains and an open-air cafe.

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On the opposite side of the square - Theater Regensburg, built in 1804 by the same architect. The building was unlucky; in the middle of the 19th century it burned down and was restored to its original form. It was recently reconstructed and equipped with the latest technology. There is a nice sculpture in front of the theater, but the fountain was under reconstruction.

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To the left of the Presidential Palace, slightly deeper into the street, stands "Dominican Church of St. Blasius", built in the middle of the 13th century. According to the charter of this mendicant order, the church was supposed to be simply and modestly built; it was not allowed to have expensive decorations or even a tower. This is a three-nave Gothic basilica. The church belonged to the Dominican monastery, and after its dissolution at the beginning of the 19th century it became the church of a male congregation associated with the cult of the Virgin Mary.

I haven't been inside since The Church of St. Blasius can only be visited during mass or during guided tours on Saturday and Sunday.

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To the left of the theater is Jacobstrasse. This was once the western border of the medieval city, as only two side towers at the end of the street remind us of.

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Be sure to turn there to see one of the attractions of Regensburg - the world famous Scottish portal. This mysterious composition with figures on the portal wall of the powerful Scottish Church of St. James has been a mystery for many generations of scientists. To protect the portal from destruction, a glass vestibule was built. I was only able to look at the portal through glass; it was impossible to take pictures, so the picture was taken from Wikipedia.

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This Scottish church of St. James was the “mother” of all Scottish monasteries in Bavaria and Austria. What can be seen now was mostly built in 1190-1200. There is a lot to see in the temple! For example, the magnificent wooden coffered ceiling of the 17th century. I was unlucky and everything here was closed!

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Next we go to Arnulfsplatz. This large square arose at the beginning of the 19th century and was called Jacob's Court (Jakobshof). This square is home to the popular Regensburg inn of the Kneitinger brewery, which has been around since 1530.

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Out onto the square Ludwigstrasse(Ludwigstraße), named in 1830 in honor of the Bavarian King Ludwig I who visited the city at that time. It is small, built up with buildings rebuilt in the mid-19th century on the basis of buildings from earlier centuries. For example, during the reconstruction of a large Gothic patrician house (far left in the picture below), a fresco from the second half of the 14th century was discovered on the wall.

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Along Ludwigstrasse we go out to the main square of the city - triangular Haidplatz. Once upon a time, the square was a ceremonial square, where tournaments were held, and then it was simply turned into a parking lot. The former atmosphere returned to the square only in the mid-80s of the last century.

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In the center of the square there is a baroque octagonal fountain with an allegorical figure of Justice, dating from the mid-17th century, and the fountain's grating is from the end of the 16th century.

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There are several interesting buildings on the square, each with its own history. Here Arch(ark) - a powerful patrician house in the mature Gothic style. It got its name because of its shape, which is similar to the bow of a ship. Now occupied by a three-star hotel with the same name.

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On the other side of the square there is a red house with a tower, which in the 15th century became the property of the city authorities. The city scales were installed there, so the house got its name Neue Waag (New scales). Now the Administrative Court is located here.

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To the left of it is a building with a classical facade - Thon-Dittmer Palace, built at the end of the 18th century for the wealthy Dittmer family of bankers and salt merchants. The architect is Emanuel d'Herigoyen, the same one who built the theater and the Presidential Palace. The building is occupied by the city library, which is part of the People's University of Regensburg complex.

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The most prominent building in the square is a gray building with a seven-story Gothic tower, similar to a fortress. This is a former hotel "At the Golden Cross" (Zum Goldenen Kreuz). From the Middle Ages until the end of the 19th century, it was the most fashionable hotel in the city, where many outstanding personalities stayed, including the Kaisers more than once.

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Next area - Town Hall (Rathausplatz), former seat of power of the Free Imperial City. The New and Old Town Halls are located on this square. The new town hall is also not young, it was built at the end of the 17th century, when the Permanent Reichstag began to be held in the old town hall. I realized that I didn’t take a photo of the New Town Hall. Both town halls are now just a museum, and the city administration occupies a building next to Dachauplatz.

The Reichstag Museum can only be visited during a guided tour, where they show historically important rooms: the City Council room, the main Imperial Hall, as well as the prison in the basement and torture chambers. Tours are in German and only once a day at 15:00 in English.

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An interesting entrance portal of the building is guarded by two warriors, who are popularly nicknamed “Schutz” and “Truts”. These fierce warriors indicate the rights of the Free Imperial City: to defend themselves or to attack themselves. And the two coats of arms of the city with crossed keys, the symbol of St. Peter, the patron saint of the Regensburg Cathedral, show for whom they are doing this.

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The Town Hall Tower, built in the 13th century, was for a long time the tallest building in the city, until the Cathedral towers were added in 1860.

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Near Town Hall Square - Coal market (Kohlenmarkt), - the first large market square in the early Middle Ages. Trees and a fountain appeared on this square not so long ago, and in summer the entire square is filled with open-air cafes.

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Adjacent to the Coal Bazaar to the north is the smaller Zieroldplatz Square, on which stands a baroque statue of Don Juan of Austria. This is a copy of the monument erected to him as the winner of the naval battle of Lepanto in Messina.

Don Juan of Austria is the illegitimate son of Kaiser Charles V. The Kaiser once lived in the hotel “At the Golden Cross”, the same one with the Gothic tower. And there he met his last great love, the saddler’s daughter, eighteen-year-old Barbara Blomberg. In 1547, from this meeting a boy was born who was named Don Juan of Austria. The Kaiser turned out to be a decent man, he gave the boy to be raised in a good family, and in his will he recognized him as his son. Therefore, don Juan received a good education, and then was introduced to the court, received all the honors due to the infanta and was able to make a career.

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After passing through the alley on the left, we exit into the square Fish market (Fischmarkt), where just a few years ago old stone stalls sold fish from nearby rivers and lakes on Fridays.

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Now you need to make sure to turn left onto Kepler Street (Keplerstraße). On this street, parallel to the Danube, large merchants built their houses in order to be as close as possible to the port, the center of trading life. The street was renamed Keplerstrasse a little over a hundred years ago, because the great astronomer lived and died here with his family.

His residential building on the corner of the Am Schnallern lane, decorated with decorative paintings on the facade. Not far from it on the opposite side of the street is Kepler Museum. Kerler lived in this house with a friend when he came to Regensburg to collect his unpaid salary from the Kaiser, who was holding the Reichstag here. But before the astronomer had time to get an audience with the Kaiser, he unexpectedly fell ill and died of a serious illness.

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There is a lot of interesting things to do on Kepler Street. For example, a huge Gothic House Runtinger with a stepped pediment, built in the mid-13th century. A family of the richest merchants of Regensburg in the 14th century lived here. On the second floor there is one of the largest and most beautiful halls in the city, where various cultural events are held. Or a six-story residential tower of the 13th century with loopholes, which now houses an inexpensive hotel.

Large building with a gable roof - Wine warehouse, built in 1527 according to the design of the city architect of Regensburg Albrecht Altdorfer, I will mention this name again

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Nearby there is a small house built in 1768 (pictured on the right) called "At the noisy corner" (Haus am Sauseneck). Until the middle of the 19th century, the stormy Vitusbach stream ran noisily past it, then it was hidden underground.

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We return to Fischmarkt, turn into an alley and go out onto the bank of the Danube. Ahead is a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture - Stone Bridge (Steinerne Brückere), built in 1135-1146. I had no luck on this trip with masterpieces - the bridge is under restoration. The bridge has been protected; since 1973, only boats and tourist vessels pass under it. All the rest are via a canal dug north of the Danube.

It is interesting that Regensburg received its name from the Danube tributary Regen, although the main river in the city is, of course, the Danube.

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Now from Fischmarkt we go to the right. The street changes its name, now it is Goldene-Bären-Straße - Golden Bears Street. There is also something to see here. For example, a house with an exposed area of ​​ancient masonry and a well nearby. In the 12th century there was a chapel of St. George in the building, and in the mid-16th century the chapel was rebuilt into a residential building.

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Further, it is impossible not to pay attention to two large buildings with a high roof - these are former salt warehouses. Regensburg held a monopoly on the salt trade for the entire Upper Palatinate. Salt was "white gold". Salt was stored in these warehouses and then sold.

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Between the former salt warehouses there is an exit to the Stone Bridge - Bridge tower (Brückturm). During World War II, the first two spans of the bridge were blown up by the Nazis and were only rebuilt in 1967. On the Bridge Tower, on the side of the bridge, there are figures of King Philip, his wife Irena and Kaiser Frederick II at a height. Passing under the arch of the Bridge Tower, guests should have seen that they were entering the Free Imperial City. And these two rulers provided Regensburg with the necessary privileges for this.

The bridge is under reconstruction, but the passage is still open for pedestrians. By the way, private vehicles have long been prohibited from crossing the bridge. I went out onto the bridge to look at the city from the river. The bridge offers famous views of the city and St. Peter's Basilica. The towers of this cathedral, 105 meters high, are the tallest in the old city. If you look down from the towers to the embankment, then at the salt warehouse you can just see people at the famous historical Regensburg sausage shop ( Historische Wurstküche), which is already five hundred years old.

On the opposite side are Vördy, islands where city residents like to walk. During high water they stand in the water. To the left of the Upper Verd bridge, where fishermen and boatmen once settled, and then rich merchants began to build summer villas. Starts north of the bridge Stadtamhof, an area that did not belong to the Free Imperial City of Regensburg. I didn’t have time to go there, I just looked at the dome of the main church of the Stadtamhof from the bridge - Church of St. Magnus. The church named after him was consecrated here in the 11th century, and a monastery of the Augustinian order was built nearby. During the Thirty Years' War, the monastery and church were destroyed. The existing Church of St. Magnus was built in the second half of the 17th century. Definitely worth seeing: luxurious interiors in the Rococo style! The former monastery buildings now house the Higher School of Catholic Church Music and Music Education.

Regensburg is very convenient to choose as a starting point for traveling around Bavaria: numerous trains pass through this city to literally all popular European destinations, on most of them a “Bavarian ticket” is valid - on the territory of Bavaria, a kind of travel pass that allows you to travel for little money throughout Bavaria. It should be noted that for a group of passengers a “Bavarian ticket” is noticeably cheaper than for one person.

The nearest airport to which German Wings, Air Berlin, S7, Lufthansa and Aeroflot fly from Russia is Munich (flight time is about 3 hours).

Story

The city is so old that it is difficult to comprehend it: around 79 AD. e. his story begins. At first it was a fortress built as an observation post, then the fortress became a military stronghold of an entire province, later Regensburg became the capital of the Bavarian dukes, then, having received imperial status, it turned into one of the richest cities in Germany. It is interesting that, changing its status, the city often changed its name. Such a long history of the city has led to the fact that today it is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

More than 130,000 people live in modern Regensburg, and more than 2 million tourists come to the city every year, whose desire to see this wonderful ancient city is understandable, there are so many attractions and historical places here.

Cuisine and restaurants

In addition to an interest in history and architecture, in Regensburg you can also satisfy your more prosaic interests, for example, go to the oldest Bavarian sausage shop “Historishe Wurstkuche” (roughly translated as “Historical sausage kitchen”) and dine on a portion of excellent Bavarian sausages with sauerkraut and local beer . It’s interesting that the sausage shop opened in the 12th century for the builders of the Stone Bridge and has been attracting citizens and visitors to the city for several hundred years.

Of course, this is not the only worthy restaurant; there are plenty of them in the city, each of them is ready to offer its guests both an international menu and dishes typical of traditional Bavarian cuisine.

It will be difficult to refuse to visit one of the many beer halls, because beer for the Bavarians is not just a drink, but a matter of national pride. Well, how can you not drink a few sips of pride? In addition to beer gardens, Regensburg's public catering industry is famous for its wonderful coffee shops.

Entertainment, excursions and attractions in Regensburg

The main and most recognizable city landmark is the Stone Bridge, which is associated with a mysterious legend. 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 with the fiend, for which he paid: the devil decided to destroy the bridge. He didn’t succeed; the bridge bent, but withstood the pressure and remained in its place. So this wonderful bridge across the Danube has stood since the 12th century, one of the masterpieces of world bridge construction, which was ahead of its time with the boldness of its technical solutions.

From the 13th to the 15th centuries, the old Town Hall was built, which is a whole complex of buildings. This is not just an architectural monument; it was in the premises of the Town Hall that the collapse of the Roman Empire was officially announced in the 15th century. There was also an ominous “response room” in the town hall, where lawbreakers were tortured.

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.

St. Peter's Cathedral is the pride of Regensburg. Built in the Gothic style, the cathedral is not only a decoration of the city, but also the center of its spiritual life. It is noteworthy that the cathedral took almost 600 years to build. In addition to the cathedral, the city has a large variety of churches, the most remarkable of which are the parish church of Ulrich XIII and the Roman basilica (built in the 12th century), which, for inexplicable reasons, is called the Scottish Monastery.

In general, the Old Town consists of more than a thousand houses of the most diverse types, styles and purposes. Walking along its streets is one of the many pleasures that you can get in this original, very clean, sleek, prosperous city; you can endlessly admire the buildings, flower beds, courtyards, ships that moor off the banks of the Danube.

Best time to visit

In spring, summer, autumn or even winter, visit the Christmas market in the old town.

What to see

• Historical Shipbuilding Museum on the northern bank of the Danube opposite the old town - look out for the paddle steamers.
• An underground museum in the city center featuring Roman ruins and the remains of Regensburg's medieval Jewish quarter, discovered in the 1990s.
• A golf museum with over a thousand pieces of equipment and memorabilia on display.
• Unusual grotesque carvings above the main entrance of the 12th century Church of St. James.
• Take a boat ride to Valhalla outside the city. Here you will see a wonderful copy of a Greek temple built at the beginning of the 19th century.
• You can also take any river cruise on the Danube.
• Now called Schloss Thurn und Taxis, the gigantic castle of St. Emmeram of the 8th century. Now there is a museum there.

Pope Benedict XVI was professor of theology at the University of Regensburg from 1969 to 1977.

Regensburg is a small town in the southern part of Germany, or rather Bavaria. Yes, Russian tourists don’t come here often. But, in my opinion, it is worthy of attention. After all, this is a German town with a centuries-old history and unique architecture. And the Old Town of Regensburg is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Moreover, it is only more than an hour’s drive from the capital of Bavaria. Next, I will tell you why I liked this city and what places I visited there. Well, it’s up to you to decide whether you go to Regensburg or not.

How to get there

Of course, nothing goes directly from Russia to Regensburg. You can get there with transfers by different types of transport. Below I will tell you more about each option.

By plane

There is no airport in Regensburg, so you can get here from major German cities by train, bus or car.

By train

Regensburg has a train station (Regensburg Hbf), which is 5 minutes from the city center.

Trains arrive here from most major cities in Germany. The nearest cities are and. There are also direct connections with Prague and Vienna. But I don’t recommend getting from the Czech Republic to Regensburg by this type of transport: it takes a long time. From Austria there is a faster train on Fridays every week. Travel time is about 4 hours. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office, either from the machine that is usually located at the ticket office, or on the station website.

In general, trains run daily and frequently. For example, the journey from Munich to Regensburg will take about an hour.

You can save money on transport in Bavaria by purchasing a Bavarian ticket (Bayern ticket). I'll tell you more about it below.

By bus

From any bus station in Bavaria you can take a bus to Regensburg. All buses go to the same Regensburg Hbf.

Information about routes can also be viewed on the station website. If you are planning to come from a distant city in Germany, then it is better to do it by train, you will save time.

By car

If you are traveling around Europe by car, then visit Regensburg. This city is located at a good point in Germany: you can head from Prague to via Regensburg and vice versa. Or make the following route: - -Regensburg- . The distances between cities are funny. From the capital of the Czech Republic to Regensburg is 2.5 hours by car. From Vienna the drive is a little longer - about 4 hours along the A1 and A3 highways. By the way, there are toll roads in Austria and the Czech Republic. Don't forget to purchase a vignette, which is sold at gas stations.

From Nuremberg it takes approximately one hour and twenty minutes by car along the A3 motorway.

If you travel by car from Munich, the journey will take one hour and forty minutes. First you drive along the A9 highway, then merge onto the A93.

And further. Traveling by car between cities, we often got stuck in traffic jams. Especially at a time when the Germans had urlaub (vacation). This is August - September, when thousands of Germans go to neighboring countries to relax, and tourists, on the contrary, arrive in the country. There are also road repairs... I advise you not to get into such moments, or be patient.

By ferry

You can get to Regensburg along the Danube River if you take a cruise trip. The city has its own small port where ships from neighboring countries stop briefly. Walking in the center, we continually saw moored large comfortable ships with noble names Belvedere, MS Beethoven, Bellefleur, etc. The cruise companies servicing the ships are mainly the Swedish Transocean Tours and the French Croisi Europe.

In Regensburg, the ship stop lasts several hours. During this time, a familiarization tour of the historical part of the city is usually taken. You can purchase a tour of the Danube at any travel agency.

Clue:

Regensburg - the time is now

Hour difference:

Moscow 1

Kazan 1

Samara 2

Ekaterinburg 3

Novosibirsk 5

Vladivostok 8

When is the season? When is the best time to go

For myself, I made the following conclusion: you can come on an excursion to Regensburg at any time of the year, the weather will not take you by surprise, and every time of the year is beautiful here in its own way. In the fall, just don't forget your umbrella.

But I still advised either August - September, or April - June. During these months you will not find sweltering heat and chilly weather. You will also enjoy having a snack in the numerous open-air cafes and restaurants scattered throughout the center, take a ride on local boats along the Danube River and enjoy the landscapes of still-unsleeping nature.

Regensburg in summer

In 2015 I visited Regensburg in the summer and autumn. July was very hot, the thermometer reached +40 °C. It was difficult to walk through the hot city. But this was an anomaly. And so the local population said that usually the temperature in summer here is around +23–30 °C.

Summer is the most comfortable time of year to visit Regensburg. Nature is full of beauty; visiting the surrounding area and walking through the Bavarian forest is a pleasure.

You can swim in local ponds; the water in them is not dirty. Or ride on boats and steamboats, basking in the sun. In the middle of summer you may be overtaken by the heat, but at the beginning and at the end you will find yourself at local fun holidays.

Regensburg in autumn

What are the prices for holidays?

Prices for Russians in Germany are not cheap, given that the euro has risen, but in this European country you can save on some small things. The main thing is to look for information in advance. I’ll tell you below what I know myself. First at prices:

• Housing. The approximate cost of a hostel in the very center of the city will be as follows: in a room with 5 beds, one bed will cost 20 EUR per night. The price of a standard room in a 4-star hotel in the very center will start from 100 EUR per night for two.

How to save money

Now let's talk about how you can save money.

Bayern ticket

If you are on public transport, purchase a Bayern ticket. It will save you money on your trip.

This ticket is valid all day for almost all types of transport throughout Bavaria, as well as to some cities in Austria. Last year, the operating time interval was as follows: on weekdays from 9:00 to 3:00; On weekends, the ticket validity began at 00:00. Price per person - 23 EUR and 5 EUR for each additional person. Maximum 4 people per ticket. Children travel free of charge. More detailed information can be viewed.

You can also buy a Bayern ticket from a machine at the station, it will be cheaper there, or in advance via the Internet on the same website.

Parking

If you have a car, you can save on parking in Regensburg. It is better to leave the car in a parking lot where payment is made per day, for example, in a large shopping center or in large parking lots. There are several free parking lots in the city, but the chance of finding a free space there is very low. For example, the parking lot of the Donau shopping center. From Donau to the center it takes about 15 minutes on foot.

There are a couple of free parking lots in the center, but there are almost never empty spaces, so don't waste your time.

Housing

You can save on housing if you rent not a hotel room, but, for example, a small apartment for a day near the center. The cost of living will start from 50 EUR.

Clue:

Cost of food, accommodation, transportation and other things

Currency: Euro, € US Dollar, $ Russian Ruble, Rub

Main attractions. What to see

The advantage of this city is that all the attractions, museums, and parks are concentrated in the city center. You can leisurely stroll through the streets, explore the architecture, and visit galleries in one day. To do this, you don’t even need to take a taxi or rent a bike.

But I advise you to stay in Regensburg for a couple of days to go and see the surrounding area. You will be impressed. More on this below. In terms of excursions, everything here is the same as in most countries. For children, as a rule, it is free up to a certain age (I don’t indicate the exact age, since it is different everywhere). The more people, the lower the price. We didn’t take a tour, but the approximate price for a sightseeing tour of Regensburg is about 180 EUR.

Top 5

Since Regensburg is an ancient city, centuries-old historical monuments have been preserved here, which are the pride of the Germans and are memorable for the entire people. That is why the Old Town is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

And before you visit Regensburg, it will be very useful for you to know a little about the history of its buildings and structures. When I got to know Regensburg for the first time, I simply walked past some of them. And I thought: “Well, the city is just a city, nothing special...” And then in these same places, already knowing information about them, I became imbued with the history and spirit of past times.

You can order a guide in Russian. Then a walk around Regensburg will be even more exciting.

The town is not very big, but what will definitely be on my must-see list is:

Churches and temples. Which ones are worth visiting?

The list is long, but that means there will be a lot of variation for tourists. So:

• Old parish church of St. Ulrich (Sankt Ulrich Kirche). Unfortunately, the church is currently closed for restoration. Will open only in 2017. When planning your trip to Regensburg in advance, add this cathedral to your list of must-see attractions. Because it is located in the historical part of the city. And because inside there is an interesting museum dedicated to religious art. Among the museum's exhibits are ancient paintings, sculptures and jewelry from the 11th and 12th centuries.

Museums. Which ones are worth visiting?

Regensburg is a small town, but there are about 20 museums here. Most of them are quite small. And if you’re staying in the city for a day or two, you simply won’t have time to visit them all. But I will describe 6 of them that are worthy of attention first of all, in my opinion. All 6 museums are located in the central part of the city, within walking distance of each other, which is very convenient. So:

Parks

The city of Regensburg has several small parks. You don't need to make any special effort to inspect them. They are located mainly in the central part of the city at a short distance from each other.

What to see in the area

Food. What to try

Well, everyone knows about the national cuisine of Germany. You will learn more about national cuisine from articles on the country. I’ll just add one detail here.

There are several types of sausages in national German cuisine. There are Munich sausages, Frankfurt sausages, Nuremberg sausages, etc. They differ in size, composition and method of preparation. There are also Regensburg sausages.

In the city center, near the stone bridge, is the famous eatery, which is the pride of Regensburg. This is where the famous Regensburg sausages are prepared.

There are all kinds of cafes and restaurants scattered around the city, where you can taste not only German cuisine, but for example Italian, Arabic, Turkish, Hungarian, etc.

If you rented an apartment or house and prefer to cook yourself, then there are many supermarkets in Regensburg. Keep in mind that no shopping center is open here on Sunday, or on national holidays, which may fall on Friday or Saturday. The only store that is open all days is located near the bus station called Norma, but the range of products there is very small.

On the streets of the city you can also find various grocery stores with meat, confectionery and baked goods, where you can have an inexpensive snack. The price for a dish here is between 5–6 EUR.

Holidays

Regensburg hosts several large local festivals throughout the year, and attending them is a great pleasure for the soul.

I have listed the main holidays of the city. They are worth a visit. Tourists also love to visit Regensburg for the New Year. It's getting very beautiful and festive here!

This is a standard European Christmas with all the accompanying actions and attributes: a decorated city, a large New Year's fair and mass festivities.

Safety. What to watch out for

The situation in the city was safe last year. We attended many holidays and boldly traveled by public transport around the city and between cities. Neither among the local population nor among tourists, I did not meet aggressive or suspicious individuals. Regensburg is a relatively small town, so it is relatively peaceful and calm. People live a quiet, measured life. The only place where I would advise not to be relaxed is the bus station.

Things to do

In addition to the cultural program, Regensburg offers other entertainment. For example:

Shopping and shops

The city has large shopping centers, as well as many boutiques and shops located in the historical part of the city.

In general, after walking around the shops and shopping centers of Regensburg, I came to the following conclusion. Of course, if the purpose of your visit is shopping, then you are better off heading to Munich or other big cities in Bavaria. Regensburg is an old town and is more suitable for cultural walks.

Souvenirs. What to bring as a gift

You can bring a lot of things from Germany as a gift to your family and friends. It all depends on the amount you plan to fork out. This could be dishes or equipment of excellent German quality, or it could be alcohol or small souvenirs. I’ll tell you what you can bring specifically from Regensburg.

In the Donau shopping center there is a store with German chocolate Hussel.

This is a shop with good handmade German chocolate. There is a huge selection of unusual figures, chocolate sculptures and just a large assortment of different types of sweets. You can purchase a chocolate figurine for 7 EUR and more.

For a souvenir from Europe, I think it’s just right.

You can also purchase various figurines, magnets, and paintings depicting the sights of Regensburg in local souvenir shops in the city center. In the city center there are shops selling German genuine leather products.

These are very high-quality, solid items with appropriate prices, which are suitable as a good gift for loved ones. Prices for leather products are approximately as follows: business card holder - about 50 EUR, men's belt from 100 EUR, wallet from 130 EUR and above.

How to get around the city

As I reported above, Regensburg is a very small town. All the most interesting things are concentrated mainly in the city center, which is protected by UNESCO.

The best way to get around the city is by bicycle or walking. If you come with your own car, it is better to leave it in the hotel parking lot, if there is one, or in a large daily parking lot. Otherwise, problems with parking in the city center can spoil your mood and shorten your rest time. It's not easy to deal with them here because they are usually busy or expensive. And you won’t need a car to get around the city. If you need a taxi, I'll tell you more about how to order one below. The urban mode of transport in Regensburg is buses. There are no trolleybuses, trams or metro in the city.

Taxi. What features exist

If you need a taxi, for example, to get to the surrounding area, then I’ll tell you about the features of this service in Regensburg.

The prices are something like this: for landing the price will be from 3 EUR and for each next kilometer the charge will be approximately from 1.5 EUR. You will have to pay extra for downtime and pets. For an hour of downtime 26 EUR, per animal from 1 EUR.

Well, the standard advice: it’s better to call a local taxi, because at the bus station or on the streets it will cost more. You can order a taxi online. There are local taxi sites on the Internet that will provide you with a car to the desired location without any problems or delays. If you take a taxi to the surrounding area, then, for example, getting to Kelheim, which is 25 km from Regensburg, will cost about 50 EUR.

Buses

Buses around the city run frequently and with the precision of a Swiss watch.

At almost every stop there is a bus schedule and their arrival time. I wrote to you about the Bavarian ticket above, you can save money with it. This is what stops might look like.

If you have not purchased a ticket, you must pay the fare from the driver upon entering the bus. Say your stop where you get off, pay and go. You can also buy a ticket in advance from a machine that is located at some stops, but everything there is in German and English.

Transport rental

Again, I repeat that you will not need a car in Regensburg. Only if you plan to travel around the area. Renting a car for a day will cost from 60 EUR plus gasoline. A higher class car will cost more - from 120 EUR per day. It is better to order a car via the Internet. There are a lot of websites providing car rental services in Germany. You can also contact and.

Required documents: foreign passport, international driver's license, bank card.

• All rights issued in Russia after March 1, 2011 are considered international, as they comply with the standards. If you received your license earlier, then contact the traffic police in your city in advance and request an international license. (Although I have heard that some companies accept regular national licenses, but I would play it safe).
• The rental company will block the deposit amount on your bank card (each company has a different amount, from approximately 600 EUR to 1,500 EUR) and will return it back a few weeks after returning the car. The rental cost depends on the car, your age (if you are under 25 years old, you will need to pay a certain fee), the number of rental days (the more days, the cheaper).

Regensburg: holidays with children

Since Regensburg is a small historical town and the purpose of visiting it is cultural walks and trips to museums, I don’t think that children will be interested here. In addition, in Regensburg all descriptions are in German and English. But it will definitely be comfortable. Firstly, since this is the southern part of Germany, it has a mild, comfortable climate. Secondly, young tourists will love the food here. Especially pastries, sweets and delicious ice cream. I think children will also like it at local holidays. Regensburg Dult offers cool rides.

And a couple more days of this holiday are dedicated specifically to children, when prices for everything are reduced for them. Detailed information can be found on the official website of the holiday.

And at the knights festival, which I also wrote about above, you will enjoy the performances of knights and fabulous performances on the open lawn. Even if they are in a different language, they will have quite a lot of fun there.

Anything to add?