The old stone bridge

A rest day to explore Regensburg’s old town, a UNESCO world heritage site, and a combination of Roman, Romanesque and Gothic architecture. We had a slow start and agreed to follow the map which prioritised the highlights.  We entered the old city and made our way to the cobbled streets of the Golden Tower. Built in the 13th century, the nine-storey tower was taller than the surrounding buildings, so that its height reflected the wealth and influence of the family that lived in it.

We walked through Neupfarrplatz and admired the old Synagogue and continued to the Gothic St Peter’s Cathedral. Commencing construction in the 13th century, it was largely completed 250 years later, except for its towers that were only three stories high.  It was another 350 years before the spires were completed and the cathedral finally finished. The stained glass windows were beautiful, as was the Altar of Our Lady.

Built around 179 AD, the Porta Praetoria is one of the oldest surviving Roman constructions in Germany.  At the nearby Goliath House, a large mural depicted the battle between David and Goliath.   

The Stone Bridge is the oldest preserved stone bridge in Germany, built in the 12th century.  Vital to the prosperity of Regensburg, for a long time it was the only permanent crossing of the Danube between Ulm and Vienna. We walked across the bridge to Stadtamhof then enjoyed the views back across the city on our return.

We stopped for a takeaway lunch at Wurstkuchl, perhaps one of the oldest restaurants in the world, that was originally built as the construction office for the stone bridge.  It then became a canteen for workers building the bridge and cathedral, as well as dockers and sailors.   It specialised in Bavarian sausages served with home made sauerkraut.  

The port was busy with ferries and the first river cruise boat that we had seen since Bayonne.  We spent some time at the House of Bavarian History, learning more about Bavarian history from the founding of the kingdom in the early 19th century though to present day.  We were welcomed by the Bavarian lion, the symbolic heraldic animal of Bavaria, happily drinking a Bavarian beer. 

We enjoyed an icecream as we meandered through the cobbled streets back to our accommodation, picking up some freshly roasted coffee on the way. 

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