Herald Post 2009-10-01.pdf

HP
Thursday, Oct. 1, 2009
LEISURE
17
Historic Regensburg
This small Bavarian city invites
you to take a trip into the past
By Lou Stagger
BAVARIAN NEWS
With a history spanning nearly 2000
years, the grand old city of Regensburg offers
a lot to see.
Situated at the confluence of the Regen
and Danube rivers on the most northerly
bend of the Danube, Regensburg started
its written history during the time of the
Romans.
The Romans were able to use the rivers
as defensive points but were never able to
hold the territory north of the river. They
settled in by creating the Castra Regina, fort
by the Regen River, and eventually it became
known as Regensburg.
In 1135 a stone bridge was started across
the Danube. It took 11 years to complete.
The Crusader Knights for the second and
third Crusades crossed the bridge on their
way to the Holy Lands. The bridge, “Steinerne
Brücke” opened up the northern European
cities to trade with the powerhouse of
traders: Venice, Italy.
Regensburg gained well from this cross
traffic. Goods passed through Regensburg as
it developed its reputation for goldsmithing
and making fabrics.
Also Christianity has been a great part of
Regensburg’s history. St. Boniface set up a
Bishopric there in the year 739 and Regensburg
opened up the eastern European
borders to Christianity.
In 845, more than a dozen Bohemian
princes came here to be baptized.
Regensburg became the head diocese for
the diocese of Prague. During the years 1275
to 1634 a great Gothic cathedral was built.
The towers were added in 1869. The St.
Peter Cathedral, or Regensburger Dom, is
the greatest example of German Gothic style
building in Bavaria.
The cathedral is a “must see” while
visiting. It’s also the home of the German
equivalent to the Vienna Boys Choir: the
Sparrows.
Many works of art and artifacts are
housed within the cathedral and adjoining
museums.
Within the relatively small area of the Altstadt,
or old town, you can see at least five
different styles of church architecture.
The City Museum of Regensburg is a
remarkably complete display of early history
from the Roman and pre-Roman times to
the height of Regensburg’s days as the capital
of Bavaria through the time of the Holy
Roman Empire.
On the south end of town is the former
Abbey of St. Emmeram. It’s now the Palace
of Thurn and Taxis, whose rise to royal status
was remarkable. The princess still lives
here with her two children.
Tours are offered in the older sections of
the palace which is larger than Buckingham
Palace in England. Here you can listen to an
English audio guide to learn the secret of
their rise from common public service and
be surprised at how America wasn’t the first
to use this technique.
If you want a small city with a huge history,
put Regensburg on your list of places
to see while you are stationed in Germany.
You may just find it charming and delightful.
Photos by Bill Barber
The city’s Gothic Cathedral of St. Peter was built from 1274-1520 on the site
of a large Romanesque church, some portions of which are integrated into
the current structure. The spires and upper portions of the towers are 19th
Century additions. When the cathedral was cleaned, it became possible to
see two types of stone in the façade: a cream-colored limestone and a softer
green sandstone that was used for repairs and additions in the 18th century.
The green blocks are being replaced gradually with limestone from the Czech
Republic that matches the original material.
The Walhalla is considered the most important of all works commissioned by King Ludwig
l of Bavaria (1825-48). It was completed in 1842 and it commemorates great figures from
German history. “Walhalla” means “hall of the dead.” German or Germanic personalities
may be considered for a place in this hall of fame 20 years after their death at the earliest.
On its inauguration Oct. 18, 1842, there were 96 busts and 64 plaques. 30 busts have been
added since.
(Left) The Steinerne
Brücke has
15 arches and runs
nearly 750 meters
from the Altstadt
to Stadtamhof. At
one time, the Steinerne
Brücke was an
important crossing
point along the
main trade route
between Venice
and Northern Europe.