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Regensburg

Regensburg is a town in the German Federal State of Bavaria on the Danube River. It has a population of 130,000 and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

History

Regensburg ranks among the oldest towns in Central Europe, with the first settlement on the site dating back to the Stone Age. Its modern history dates back to Roman times with the construction of the Castra Regina fort on the site; the Bishopric of Regensburg was established in 739. It was an Imperial Free City for nearly 600 years until 1803; for the last 150 of those years it was also hosted the parliament of the Holy Roman Empire. Regensburg has been home to the ultra-rich Thurn und Taxis family since 1748. The town suffered only very minor damage in World War II and thus boasts an almost intact mediaeval city centre, a fact that was recognised in 2006 when Regensburg was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Attractions

Regensburg's most famous attraction is the Steinerne BrÃ¼cke (Stone Bridge) over the River Danube, which dates from 1146. Beneath its northern end is the Historische WurstkÃ¼che, where Mozart and, later, Goethe munched on the famous Regensburger sausages. The northern end of the bridge connects straight to the Old Town, a network of squares connected by small streets and narrow alleyways. At the eastern end is the Dom (cathedral), which is recognised as one of the best examples of Gothic architecture in Bavaria. South of the town centre is the huge palace complex of Schloss Thurn und Taxis.

Life in Regensburg

A university town, Regensburg is also home to sizeable BMW and Siemens presences, although the English-speaking population is relatively small. Accommodation prices are lower than Munich, but apartments in the Old Town are popular. The city has a very good nightlife, a thriving cafe culture and some excellent breweries; the Spital beer garden, just off the southern end of the Steinerne BrÃ¼cke on the banks of the Danube, is highly recommended in good weather, while the Kneitinger on Arnulfsplatz is a good beer hall. There is an Irish pub, Murphy's Law, at Spiegelgasse 6.

Around Regensburg

A short drive, cycle, train or boat ride westwards along the Danube is the historical town of Kelheim, home to the Schneider Weisse brewery. From here, a popular excursion is the boat ride through the Donaudurchbruch (Danube Gorge) to the Weltenburg monastery and brewery. North-west from Kelheim is the AltmÃ¼hltal region, a popular cycling area. Eastwards from Regensburg along the Danube is the Walhalla monument, modelled on the Parthenon in Athens.

External links

www.regensburg.de - official city website
Regensburg - Wikipedia

Cities in Bavaria Cities in Germany