Top 10 interesting facts about UNESCO World Heritage Old Town of Regensburg & Stadtamhof

Regensburg Kapelle. Photo by Peter Bubenik – Wikimedia Commons 

Top 10 interesting facts about UNESCO World Heritage Old Town of Regensburg & Stadtamhof

Many medieval towns all over the world contains old buildings and old towns with special history and architectural designs that tell us about the world that has been. Most of this history and cultural sites, have rich cultural significance, history and beauty to the cities they are situated in. These sites hold secrets that offer not just tourist attractions to see and travel to, but also offer a bridge of this world and a glimpse of the world gone.

Let us take the journey into the Top 10 interesting facts about UNESCO world heritage Old Town of Regensburg & Stadtamhof.

1.The Medieval town of Bavaria

Stadtamhof illustration. Photo by STUMPF , Pleickhard – Wikimedia Commons 

The medieval town is located at the Dunabe River which was an important trading centre and affluent from the 9th Century in the region. The Old Town of Regensburg with Stadtamhof offers an understanding of the intercultural exchange and architectural influences that people left to  the metropolis during that era.

The Old Town of Regensburg with Stadtamhof encompasses two long islands in the Danube, the Wohrde the area south of the river, and the once initial charity hospital of St. Katharina in Stadtamhof . The charity hospital was included in the Regensburg city in 1924.

2. Regensburg Rich historical periods of the world

The Regensburg history is complex and rolls from the Roman empire rule to modern times.  The Antiquity period which started from 179 AD characterized the area with a strong military base known as the Castra Regina which withstood a siege from the period 230 to the fall of the Roman empire in 476 AD.

The Middle Ages rolled in with the transformation of the Roman buildings to suit the various needs of the Bavarians. The city’s laterchanged its status to become a permanent seat for four old Bishoprics in the year 739. The christening of the Duke of Poland Miesko I in 966 marked the reign of Polish history in the area.

3. The Old Town still is Young and Bustling

Regensburg towers, Photo by manuel Strehl-Wikimedia Commons 

The old medieval town of Regensburg with Stadtamhof is made up of old architectural designs from the Roman era which have been exceptionally preserved. The historic structures within stand for more than one and a half-century old where in more than 1500 buildings in the area were occupied by emperors and kings.

4. The Best Views and Stained Glasses

The Stone Bridge. Photo by Ekrem Canli – Wikimedia Commons 

One needs to go to the interactive World Heritage Heritage Visitor Center strategically situated at the former Salzstadel at the Stone Bridge for the fantastic view of the city and fleeting history of the Old Town of Regensburg and Stadtamhof.

The Regensburg Cathedral is the only example of French Gothic cathedral architecture that is situated in the east Rhine. It has an immeasurable amount of wealth of medieval stained glass  that is found anywhere in the whole of Germany.

5. The Towers of the Patrician

regensburg Goliathhaus. Photo by Steffen Schmitz – Wikimedia Commons 

Rivalry during the Middle Ages between wealthy families  was a common thing which still transcends to the modern world to date. The present owes and repeats the lessons of the past by showing off their prosperity through building tall towers with the idea that their wealth ought to be translated through the construction of the tallest building that can be seen from far. One of the most striking of the building famously referred to as the Patrician Towers built in 1260  which is the Goliath Haus was part of the wealth muscling feuds between two families. The mural of David and Goliath, was later painted outside in 1573.

6. The Museums of Regensburg

Bavarian Baudenkmal. Photo by rufus46 – Wikimedia Commons 

With a wide era of Bavarian and Europe history in one place, it would be a surprise if there were no museums in Regensburg. Not only do they tell of the heritage but also act as witnesses to the regions’ histories. The Regensburg Museum of History set in what was a 13th-century Minorite monastery tells of the Roman Empire’s history upto the 1800s. 

The Museum of Bavarian History recounts the history of modern Bavaria over the last few centuries citing the development of its important cultural aspects since its inception.

7. The Palace of Thurn and Taxis

At Emmeram’s Abbey which dates back to 739 AD, the magnificent compound was  once full of libraries, chapels, and halls, that were later overturned into a permanent residence by the royal house of Thurn and Taxis in 1810. 

The changes however still tried to retain the true monastic history, the palace ambiance which still has an austere air contrasted by the magnificently furnished chambers and wonderful cloisters.

8. The Basilica of the Nativity of our Lady

Chapel in Regensburg. Photo by W. Bulach – Wikimedia Commons 

The Old Chapel also known as the basilica of the Nativity of our Lady was founded in the 9th Century. This is the Oldest Catholic church in Bavaria which has undergone a few renovations. The 18th Century renovations of the church are the reason for its dazzling interior which is the beautiful rococo style. 

An amazing fact that makes gives its majestic flare is the fact that even though the old chapel was founded during the 9th Century, the building where the church stands was built later in the 11th Century.

9. The Gothic Regensburg Cathedral

Wandering through the old town of Regensburg, one of the features that you quickly notice is the tall buildings with the most important Gothic soaring architectures Bavaria has to offer. One of this scenes is the Gothic Regensburg cathedral. Inside the cathedral, one is sure to find the glorious silver high altar, an impressive collection of stained glass, as well, as the World’s largest hanging organ which pristine hangs where it was mounted since the building of the cathedral.

10. The Out of Place World

The architecture of the city contrasts a world that was with one that is trying to become, in a fast modern changing world. The architecture from the 9 to the 13th century easily blends and metamorphoses  with the spaces of Regensburg starting from the market, to the cathedral to the steps of the city hall. The small streets and alleys, abrupt winding roads ending at the Danube River  going down  to the Roman Bridge which was constructed in the 12th century  are part of the main reason that Regensburg and Old Town were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2006.