Regensburg, Germany – an ancient city located in Bavaria, the capital of the Upper Palatinate region and the residence of the Metropolitan of the Roman Catholic Church. It is one of the popular tourist routes, famous for a large number of architectural monuments, churches, cathedrals, museums and other historical sites.
General information
Regensburg is one of the oldest cities in Germany, founded in 79 by the don. e. It got its name from the Regen River, which flows nearby and connects its waters with the Danube. Its history began with the usual observation post, which soon turned into a stronghold of the whole province, and later became the capital of the Bavarian rulers and the richest populated point of the then Prussia. Despite the rich historical past and a large number of attractions, modern Regensburg remains a quiet and calm place in which about 160 thousand people. Moreover, it is the fourth most populated city in Bavaria and annually receives about 2 million tourists seeking to see its legendary buildings not only in Regensburg’s photo, but also live. It’s also an important cultural, economic and scientific-educational center,
On a note! Regensburg is a good start to discover Bavaria. Thanks to the developed railway connection, one can go from here to any tourist point in the region. At the same time, Bayern Ticket Nacht, a special travel card, allows you to save on travel on most trains.
sights
Museums, monuments, galleries and other attractions of Regensburg in Germany are located in the very center of the city, which will surely appeal to those who came here only for 1 day. We walk through the main, most memorable places.
In the old areas of Regensburg, you can see many architectural monuments belonging to different historical periods. The old city is about 1000 ancient buildings, distinguished by a peculiar architecture and dating back more than one millennium. These are luxurious ancestral palaces, and tall towers decorated in the style of Northern Italy, and neat colored houses, and numerous public buildings, whose facades are able to compete with works of world art. The most famous of them are:
- Residential tower Baumburger Turm.
- Goliathhouse building, where Oscar Schindler lived during the war,
- Niedermünsterkirche church, in the cellars of which were found objects belonging to the period of the early Middle Ages,
- the palace complex of the ruling family of Thurn und Taxis and many other architectural monuments that you have yet to learn about.
And what are the names of its streets and squares! Street of the Black Bear, Three Crowns, Merry Turk and Goliath, Coal, Grain and Wine markets, Swan Square – from them and blows centuries-old secrets. Oddly enough, the historical center of Regensburg was almost not damaged during the Second World War, so all the buildings survived to this day. Nowadays, cafes, hotels, restaurants, boutiques and shops are opening next to them. This combination looks rather unusual. Currently, this place is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and is one of the most visited corners of Bavaria.
The Regensburg Cathedral in Regensburg, made in the Gothic style, is considered one of the main architectural attractions not only of this city, but of the whole of Bavaria. Its construction lasted more than 200 years and ended in only 11 tbsp. Like the rest of the church, he changed several styles and survived a number of cardinal reconstructions.
The gloomy interior of the cathedral inspires melancholy and impresses with its beauty. Luxurious stained glass windows, ancient iconostases, a cellar with crypts, marble sculptures endowed with a special meaning – the scale of the work performed and the skill of architects deserve great respect. On weekends, in Regensburg Cathedral you can listen to Domspatzen, the famous choir of boys, whom the locals call Cathedral Sparrows.
On a note! You can find St. Peter’s Cathedral on two spiers that rise above the city. They can be seen from all over Regensburg.
Address: Domplatz 5, 93047, Regensburg, Bavaria, Germany
Opening hours:
- April, May, October: from 06:30 to 18:00;
- June – September: from 06:30 to 19:00;
- November – March: from 06:30 to 17:00.
During church services or special events, visiting the cathedral is not possible.
Looking at photos of Regensburg sights, you will probably notice the Monastery Church of Our Lady or, as it is also called, the old city chapel. This is one of the oldest religious buildings in Germany. The first mention of this temple dates from the early Middle Ages.
and associated with the name of the then King of Bavaria, Louis the German. It was he who ordered the construction of a chapel in which liturgies would be held for members of the royal family.
Over the long years of its existence, Alte Kapelle was rebuilt more than a dozen times. She acquired her present appearance only at the end of the 18th century. Then its architecture was given elements of the Rococo style, and the interior decoration received a pleasant bonus in the form of paintings by famous German artists.
The main pride of the Old Chapel is the miraculous icon of the Mother of God, which appeared in the church in the 15th century and written, according to legend, one of the 12 apostles. In addition, an organ sanctified by the Pope himself can be seen in the church.
On a note! You can get inside the temple not only during the service, but also as part of a tourist group. Excursions lasting 45 minutes are held once a month from May to October.
Address: Alter Kornmarkt 8, 93047, Regensburg, Bavaria, Germany
Looking for a photo of Regensburg sights with a description for you, we simply could not pass by the Church of St. Emmeram, named after one of the Bishops of Bavaria. Having been born in the first half of the 13th century, the temple repeatedly changed its appearance. Its current architecture is Baroque Azam.
Building St. Emmeram Church consists of 3 naves and the same number of choirs. The transept located in the western part of the temple is decorated with ceiling paintings on religious subjects, and the northern portal is decorated with gilded reliefs. A unique altar, supplemented by the sculptural composition “Descent from the Cross of the Messiah”, is considered to be an equally significant element of the interior of the church. Not far from the church of St. Emmeram is the residence of the aristocratic family of Turn-i-Taxis. Of course, you are unlikely to get inside this magnificent palace, but you can always admire it from afar.
- Address: Emmeramsplatz, 93047, Regensburg, Bavaria, Germany.
- Opening hours: Sun – Sat: from 08:00 to 19:30.
The list of the main attractions of Regensburg also includes the Old Stone Bridge connecting the opposite banks of the Danube. The construction of this building, which later became the prototype for the Charles Bridge in Prague, lasted more than 10 years and was completed only in 1142. In the middle of the 15th century 3 monumental towers appeared on it, but only one has survived to this day. Now it has a viewing platform equipped with an excellent view of the historical part of the city, and an exhibition hall belonging to the Navigation Museum.
For a long time, the Kamenny Bridge was almost the only way of crossing, so before it was not only walked on, but also ridden. Now it remains an exclusive pedestrian zone, where tourists and locals alike enjoy walking.
Despite the fact that the Old Stone Bridge in Germany is often called a masterpiece of world bridge building, its shape is far from ideal proportions. A lot of legends are connected with this fact. According to one of them, the architect in charge of the construction of this facility so wanted to build something really grandiose that he was not afraid to make a deal with the devil himself. However, when work on the construction was almost completed, the architect violated the terms of the contract. The angry devil tried to destroy the bridge, but nothing came of it – he survived, but bent very much. This remains the Old Stone Bridge now.
Where to find: Steinerne Brücke, 93059, Regensburg, Bavaria, Germany.
If you intend to explore all the sights of Regensburg in one day, be sure to check out the Golf Museum, located in the basement of an old antique shop. Being one of the best sports panopticons in Europe, it annually receives several thousand visitors.
There really is something to see here. The Europäisches Golfmuseum collection, created over half a century, stores a huge number of rare and incredibly expensive exhibits. Sculptures, paintings, posters, posters, personal belongings and costumes of players, medieval clubs – each of these objects perfectly reflects the 700-year history of the most accurate sport.
You can visit the Golf Museum either independently or as part of an excursion – they are held daily. In addition, there are regularly shown multimedia shows that can interest not only adults, but also children.
- Address: Taendlergasse 3, 93047, Regensburg, Bavaria, Germany.
- Opening hours: Mon – Sat: from 10:00 to 18:00.
The Old Town Hall in Regensburg is a complex of ancient buildings located on the famous Town Hall Square. The building of one of the oldest architectural sights of the city was repeatedly rebuilt, so it mixed many different styles that are not similar to each other (Gothic, Empire, Baroque, Romanesque and Renaissance). In the Middle Ages, the Reichstag of the Holy Roman Empire was located in the walls of Altes Rathaus. The main reminder of those dark times for Regensburg is the luxurious Dance Room, the Imperial Hall, which was the seat of a high-ranking panel of judges, and the city casemate, which is located in the basement. In it you can still see prison cells, interrogation rooms, cells for prisoners sentenced to death, medieval instruments of torture and other elements.
Currently, the premises of the Old Town Hall are occupied by the city administration and the Reichstagsmuseum, dedicated to the history of the powerful medieval state.
Address: Rathausplatz 1, 93047, Regensburg, Bavaria, Germany.
Opening hours:
- Mon – Thu.: From 07:00 to 18:00
- Fri .: from 07:00 to 14:00
Food in the city
Regensburg in Germany has a large number of establishments that can satisfy the needs of all tourists coming here. Of course, there are not so many chic restaurants here as in Berlin or Munich, but there are plenty of cafes and eateries of the middle price category. Almost all of them are located right in the center and offer a menu at affordable prices.
- So, a visit to an inexpensive restaurant will cost 10-12 € per person.
- For lunch or dinner for two in an average level institution you will have to pay about 30 €.
- If you plan to visit McDonalds or any other fast food, then get ready to spend from 6 to 8 €.
On a note! Almost the oldest gastronomic attraction of this city is the “Sausage cuisine”, a small house located near the Stone Bridge. Being the first Regensburg diner, it is famous for its incredibly delicious German sausages.
Where to stay?
At the heart of the Regensburg hotel fund are family mini-hotels, designed for a small number of guests. Most of them are located in close proximity to the historical center, in which the main city attractions are concentrated. The cost of a double room in a 3 * hotel is from 55 to 155 €, in 4 * – from 100 to 180 €.
On a note! To save a little, you can search for hotels in other urban areas. Given the relatively small size of Regensburg, you will still be close to the most visited tourist sites.
How to get there
Regensburg in Germany does not have its own airport, so most tourists are forced to get here from Munich and Nuremberg. There are 3 ways to do this. Let’s consider each of them.
| Regensburg – Munich | Train | Bus | Car |
|---|---|---|---|
| Departure point | München hbf | München zob | Route A9 and A93 |
| Place of arrival | Regensburg hbf | Regensburg hbf | Distance – 126 km |
| Travel time | 1h 22 min | 2 h 10 min | 1h 40 min |
| Ticket price | 24 – 42 € | 5 – 19 € | – |
| Opening hours | from 00:04 to 23:00 | from 00:25 to 23:55 | – |
| Regensburg – Nuremberg | Train | Bus | Car |
|---|---|---|---|
| Departure point | Nürnberg hbf | Nürnberg, ZOB | Highway A3 |
| Place of arrival | Regensburg hbf | Regensburg hbf | Distance – 111 km |
| Travel time | 0h 52 min – 2h 00 min | 1h 10 min – 1h 25 min | 1h 20 min |
| Ticket price | 20 – 50 € | 5 – 10 € | – |
| Opening hours | from 04:30 to 23:16 | from 00:45 to 23:05 | – |
Regensburg Train Station, which accepts trains from most German cities, is 5 minutes from the city center. At the same time, these carriers are served by 2 carriers at once – the national concern D-Bahn and the regional company Die Länderbahn GmbH. As for the bus service, D-Bahn and the largest European company FlixBus are responsible for it.
Separately, it is worth mentioning about local autobahns. Firstly, they are in a really perfect condition, secondly, they are completely free, and thirdly, they have no speed limits (in Bavaria there are only recommended rates of 130 km / h).
As for tickets, they can be bought at the box office and special vending machines.
On a note! If you are not comfortable with any of these options, book a transfer from the airport or hotel. The car will cost 160-180 €. This is ideal for those who do not speak German or who arrive in the city late in the evening. You can order a transfer on a Russian-language website, indicating all the necessary information (time and place of boarding / destination) and making full or partial payment.
Prices on the page are for July 2019.
Interesting Facts
Regensburg in Germany has many interesting facts. Here are just a few of them:
- For 8 years, Pope Benedict XVI was a professor of theology at a local university;
- In 1207, Regensburg received a special imperial status, which brought him complete political independence;
- The official religion of the city is Protestantism, but this did not prevent the Roman Catholic episcopate from equipping its main residence here;
- It was in Regensburg that the collapse of the Roman Empire was announced;
- Local architecture is easily confused with Italian. For this, Regensburg is often called the “northernmost city of Italy”;
- Over the long years of its existence, the city managed to change many names. At one time or another, it was called Ratasbona, Hyatospolis, Tyberina, Quadrata, Reginopolis, Ymbripolis and Germanisheim.
Regensburg, Germany is a good place for a relaxing and leisurely vacation. We wish you a pleasant walk and vivid impressions.
Where to go in Regensburg:
