Regensburg, Germany

By Glen Bruels
This is part of a series called Viking Grand European Tour
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After leaving Passau, we formally learned that we were going to have to change boats because the depth of the river near Nuremberg was definitely too shallow to pass. The good news that the twin of our current boat was going to pick us up further up the river. As a consequence, we sailed up to the town of Vilshofen, which we used as a base camp to take a day trip up to Regensburg, and ultimately for the drive to Nuremberg to catch our next boat.Regensburg is one of the oldest towns in Germany. It was founded by the Romans in 179 AD and, in fact, you can still see parts of the Roman wall. Throughout its history, Regensburg has played important roles – it was the capital of Bavaria, Charlemagne used it as an important meeting site (he also died here), the Crusades passed through here, and it became a major trading center. The old stone bridge was built in the 12th century and remains in use today (although it was being refurbished while we were there). In the 13th Century, Regensburg became a Free Imperial City, thus avoiding paying taxes to Bavaria. Even then, Regensburg was a pleasant place to visit. Just to emphasize that, in the mid-1600s, it was habit of the Holy Roman Emperor to meet yearly in different locations to discuss law, process, etc in a forum called a Diet. They came to Regensburg for the first time in 1663. People liked it so much, the came the next year, and the next – all the way until 1806. This became known as the Perpetual Diet of Regensburg! Moving forward, Regensburg had a Messerschmitt factory and refinery that supported the Nazi war effort but, almost miraculously, the city was only minimally bombed. With the poor economy after the war, there was little money to “modernize” the city and, when the economy finally recovered, the city fathers decided that preservation and tourism was the best answer for Regensburg. Today, the entire old city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as one of the best preserved examples of medieval architecture and culture in the region.

Starting across the old stone bridge into the Old City
Starting across the old stone bridge into the Old City
Like so many other successful trading centers, Regensburg sits at the confluence of three rivers.
Like so many other successful trading centers, Regensburg sits at the confluence of three rivers.
Entrance to the City and the City Museum, which is a converted abbey.
Entrance to the City and the City Museum, which is a converted abbey.
Narrow streets and lots of patrician towers. A word about the towers -- they were status symbols for the wealthy merchants of the time. It was all about who had the biggest tower. If you think you have seen towers like this before, you probably have -- the design was from Venice!
Narrow streets and lots of patrician towers. A word about the towers — they were status symbols for the wealthy merchants of the time. It was all about who had the biggest tower. If you think you have seen towers like this before, you probably have — the design was from Venice!
Buildings in the town were often covered with frescoes. This is the sole remaining one -- David and Goliath.
Buildings in the town were often covered with frescoes. This is the sole remaining one — David and Goliath.
Sometimes these towers took a while to build. If you look here, you will see the window styles change as you go up.
Sometimes these towers took a while to build. If you look here, you will see the window styles change as you go up.
Oh, and I forgot to mention, the towers were attached to the houses next to them -- they actually were a part of the living space. That is, up to the top of the house -- the rest of the tower is empty!
Oh, and I forgot to mention, the towers were attached to the houses next to them — they actually were a part of the living space. That is, up to the top of the house — the rest of the tower is empty!
The Old Town Hall, which dates back to the 14th century. The is where the Perpetual Diet took place (something I will probably need to go on after this trip!).
The Old Town Hall, which dates back to the 14th century. The is where the Perpetual Diet took place (something I will probably need to go on after this trip!).
Another view of the town hall and tower.
Another view of the town hall and tower.
The Don Juan of Regensburg. Didn't find out a lot about this guy, but he was kind of a pinhead...
The Don Juan of Regensburg. Didn’t find out a lot about this guy, but he was kind of a pinhead…
Cool skateboards. "Are you experienced?!"
Cool skateboards. “Are you experienced?!”
The Church of Saint James, which dates back to the 12th Century. A real blend of Romanesque and Gothic architecture.
The Church of Saint James, which dates back to the 12th Century. A real blend of Romanesque and Gothic architecture.
Some spectacular carvings inside the church...
Some spectacular carvings inside the church…
... as well as amazing stained glass.
… as well as amazing stained glass.
More carved wooden statuary. The Germans sure know how to carve!
More carved wooden statuary. The Germans sure know how to carve!
Part of the old Roman wall.
Part of the old Roman wall.
The Regensburg Sausage Kitchen -- the is the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the world. The first building stood in the mid-12th Century and the current building dates from the 17th Century.
The Regensburg Sausage Kitchen — the is the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the world. The first building stood in the mid-12th Century and the current building dates from the 17th Century.
It is said that they sell over 6,000 sausages per day. I am doing my part to keep that record alive!
It is said that they sell over 6,000 sausages per day. I am doing my part to keep that record alive!

 

This entry was posted in Cruising, Germany, Travel
Glen Bruels

I am a traveler and sometimes clay sculptor, following a long career working in consulting. My work allowed me to travel the world extensively and I was hooked. Today, I travel with my wife/best friend to explore new places, meet new people, and learn new things.

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