Introduction to Regensburg : The medieval town of Regensburg is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has buildings spanning almost two centuries. The ancient Roman, Romanesque and Gothic buildings, including the City Hall and Cathedral survived the ravages of WWII. The city is home to medieval houses, towers, churches and abbeys. Long one of the leading towns of the Roman Empire and the Catholic Church, to visit Regensburg is to take a trip back in time whether wandering the streets or seeing the historic sights.
Regensburg Location: Regensburg is located in south-east Bavaria at the confluence of the Danube and Regen rivers and close to the Bavarian Forest. It is a short distance from Munich, Passau and Nuremburg. The Munich Airport is 85 km away and the Nuremburg Airport is 110 km away.
Regensburg - Getting There and Getting Around in Regensburg : You can get to Regensburg easily using the Deutsche Bahn or by auto. Once in the city, much of the city center is not accessible by car and parking is at a premium. The
Public Transportation System, (the RVV) is, as in most of Germany, very good. If you are staying a while, you might want to rent a bike as it is a great way to see the city and there are several great bike paths both in the city and along the river.
Regensburg - Where to Stay - Hotels: There are several
hotels in varying price ranges in the city. You might want to consider the
Hotel Karmeliten which has great service and a nice old world charm or the design hotel,
Sorit Insel Hotel which sits directly on the water and has stunning views.
Regensburg Food and Drink - Restaurants: Sample the local sausages served on heaping platters of sauerkraut, at the Wurstküche, which is over 200 years old and has a lovely beer garden. Also in the city center, the Bischofshof serves up great dumplings and a lovely roasted duck as well as being on the romantic side. You might want to try Brauerei Kneitinger, which has been there since 1530. Another historic restaurant, Der Andechser am Dom is also in the town square and serves up traditional fare served family style.
Regensburg Nightlife: Visit the cultural center, the Alte Mälzerei, which hosts concerts and theatre productions and has a cheap bar and beer garden. You can visit the small club Cartoon to hear live music or go dancing. The Wunderbar is open late and the Sea Star offers a fun casual night out.
Regensburg - Shopping: Wander through the medeival old town (Aldstadt) with its lovely narrow lanes and ancient buildings - you'll find lots of unique shops and quite a variety. If you want to go to a shopping center, the Regensberg Arkaden shopping mall is attached to the Hauptbahnhof or you can go to the Donau shopping mall for luxury items.
Regensburg Festivals and Events: Regensburg has several festivals over the course of the year including the Middle Ages Music Festival, The Bavarian Jazz Festival and the famous Christmas Market in front of the palace. The Regensburg Summer Festival at the Palace takes place the third week of July and features world famous performers (this year it was Jose Carrerra). The various historic churches offer concerts year round as does the Alte Mälzerei.
Tips on Visiting Regensburg, Germany: Take a guided tour if you can, most are in German but a few are in English (May-September Wed. & Sat. at 1:30 p.m.). Tours start at the Rathaus and include patrician homes, restored areas, the Old Stone Bridge, Porta Praetoria, the Cathedral and Old Town Hall.
Bring your German-English dictionary much has not yet been translated to English. People are friendly and very helpful in Regensburg and a stay of a night or two is definitely well worth it.
Regensburg, Germany, Things to See and Do: Regensburg is in and of itself a UNESCO World Heritage site so a walk down any of the streets is an adventure in history. The Gothic, Romanesque and medieval architecture is everywhere you look.
St. Peter’s Cathedral is an incredible masterpiece of Gothic architecture with glorious stained glass windows from the 13th and 14th centuries. Visit the Cloisters and Cathedral canons and All Saints’ Chapel, erected in the middle of the 12th century by Northern Italian builders.
Regensburg's Altes Rathaus is one of the best preserved old town halls in all of Germany. It is a Gothic building dating back to the 12th century and was home to the first German. Take a tour (only a few are in English) and visit the dungeons and the stables which give an interesting, if rather brutal view on medieval times.
The Stone Bridge is a masterpiece of medieval engineering that has survived 850 years. It is the oldest preserved stone bridge in Germany as was, for hundreds of years, the only way to get into Regensburg.
The Excavations at Neupfarrplatz Square are fascinating. Unearthed recently, this was the former Jewish quarter (razed in 1519 when Jews were expelled) and is home to remains of cellars belonging to houses and buildings as well as sections of the Roman legionary fortress Castra Regina, a Gothic synagogue and a Romanesque synagogue.
The Thurn and Taxis Palace was built in the 15th century around a former 8th-century monastery. Said to contain more rooms than Buckingham Palace, you can take a tour or attend one of the many events on the grounds including the Christmas Market which is held annually in front of the palace.
The Porta Praetoria, built in 179 AD, is one of the largest preserved Roman buildings in Germany and part of the fortress Castra Regina.
The Schottenportal (Scots portal, founded by Irish monks in 1090, is rich in sculptures and statues and an incredible work of art. Definitely a must see.
