Regensburg (Latin Ratisbona) is a city (population 146,824 in 2002) in Bavaria, south-east Germany, located at the confluence of the Danube and Regen rivers, at the northernmost bend in the Danube. To the east lies the Bavarian Forest.
The first settlements in Regensburg date to the Stone Ages. The Celtic name Radasbona was the oldest name given to a settlement near the present city. Around 90 AD the Romans built a small "cohort-fort" in what would now be the suburbs.
179 AD the Roman fort Castra Regina ("fortress by the river Regen") was built for the Third Italic Legion during the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius. It was an important camp on what was then the northern fringe of the empire. It is believed that even in late Roman times it was the seat of a bishop, and St. Boniface re-established a bishopric there in 739.
From about 530 AD to the first half of the 13th century, it was the capital of Bavaria. Throughout the early Middle Ages, Regensburg was the cultural center of southern Germany and was celebrated for gold work and fabrics. In 1245, it became a Imperial Free City and was a trade center before the shifting of trade routes in the late Middle Ages.
It adopted the Reformation and its Town Council remained entirely Lutheran until the incorporation of the city into Bavaria. Nonetheless, the majority of the population soon became (or remained?) Catholic. This was helped by the continued existence of the Cathedral and a couple of abbeys, as well as immigration from the largely Catholic surrounding districts.
From 1663 to 1806, it was the permanent seat of the Reichstag (Imperial Diet) of the Holy Roman Empire. In 1809, the city was partially destroyed by the French under Napoleon, with the Holy Roman Empire dissolving in the process. A year later Napoleon formed the Kingdom of Bavaria, with Regensburg becoming a part of it.
Between April 19 and April 23 1809 Regensburg was the scene of the Battle of Ratisbon between forces commanded by Baron de Coutaud (the 65th Ligne) and retreating Austrian forces. It was eventually overrun after supplies and ammunition ran out.
The cathedral, though small, is a very interesting example of pure
German Gothic. It was founded in 1275, and completed in 1634, with the
exception of the towers, which were finished in 1869. The interior
contains numerous interesting monuments, including one of Peter Vischers
masterpieces. Adjoining the cloisters are two chapels of earlier date
than the cathedral itself, one of which, known as the old cathedral,
goes back perhaps to the 8th century. The church of St James also called
Schottenkirche a plain Romanesque basilica of the 12th century, derives
its name from the monastery of Irish Benedictines (Scoti) to which it
was attached; the principal doorway is covered with very singular
grotesque carvings. The old parish church of St Ulrich is a good example
of the Transition style of the 13th century, and contains a valuable
antiquarian collection. Examples of the Romanesque basilica style are
the church of Obermünster, dating from 1010, and the abbey church of St
Emmeran, built in the 13th century, and remarkable as one of the few
German churches with a detached belfry. The beautiful cloisters of the
ancient abbey, one of the oldest in Germany, are still in fair
preservation. In 1809 the conventual buildings were converted into a
palace for the prince of Thurn and Taxis, hereditary postmaster-general
of the Holy Roman Empire. The town hall, dating in part from the 14th
century, contains the rooms occupied by the imperial diet from 1663 to
1806. An historical interest also attaches to the Gasthof zum Goldenen
Kreuz (Golden Cross Inn), where Charles V. made the acquaintance of
Barbara Blomberg, the mother of Don John of Austria (b. 1547). The house
is also shown where Kepler died in 1630. Perhaps the most pleasing
modern building in the city is the Gothic villa of the king of Bavaria
on the bank of the Danube. At Kumpfmühl, in the immediate neighbourhood
of the city, was discovered, in 1885, the remains of a Roman camp with
an arched gateway; the latter, known as the Porta Praetoria, was cleared
in 1887. Among the public institutions of the city should be mentioned
the public library, picture gallery, botanical garden, and the institute
for the making of stained glass. The educational establishments include
two gymnasia, an episcopal clerical seminary, a seminary for boys and a
school of church music. Among the chief manufactures are iron and steel
wares, pottery, parquet flooring, tobacco, and lead
pencils. Boat-building is also prosecuted, and a brisk transit trade is
carried on in salt, grain and timber.
Near Regensburg are two very handsome classical buildings, erected by
Louis I. of Bavaria as national monuments of German patriotism and
greatness. The more imposing of the two is the Walhalla, a costly
reproduction of the Parthenon, erected as a Teutonic temple of fame on a
hill rising from the Danube at Donaustauf, 6 m. to the east. The
interior, which is as rich as coloured marbles, gilding, and sculptures
can make it, contains the busts of more than a hundred German
worthies. The second of King Louis' buildings is the Befreiungshalle at
Kelheim, 14 m. above Regensburg, a large circular building which has for
its aim the glorification of the heroes of the war of liberation in
1813.
[This entry is partly based on an article from the 1911 Encyclopedia Britannica.]History
Regensburg, showing the Danube and the Steinerne BrückeBuildings