Imperial city with a strong religious flair - Old town of Regensburg with Stadtamhof 1155; Frontiers of the Roman Empire – The Danube Limes (Western Segment) 1608; Craft techniques and customary practices of cathedral workshops, or Bauhütten, in Europe, know-how, transmission, development of knowledge and innovation 01558
What and Why
Regensburg was founded by the Romans (Latin: Rōmānī) in as early as the 2nd century CE, making one of the oldest cities in Germany. Regensburg grew to strength and prosperity during the Middle Ages. In the 9th century CE Regensburg was one of the most important cities in the East Francia (Latin: Francia Orientalis), and was one of the most prosperous cities. A sign of the prosperity of the time is the construction of the Stone Bridge (German: Steinerne Brücke). In the mid 13th century CE, the Holy Roman Emperor (Latin: Imperator Romanorum) Frederick II (Friedrich II: né Friedrich Hohenstaufen) raised Regensburg to the Imperial City of the Holy Roman Empire (Latin: Sacrum Imperium Romanum), and remained so until the early 19th century CE. The religious atmosphere of the city is so strong that legend has it that there are so many chapels in the city, that there would always be at least one church bell ringing!
A notable number of buildings of outstanding quality testify to its political, religious, and economic significance from the 9th century CE. The historic fabric reflects some two millennia of structural continuity and includes ancient Roman, Romanesque, and Gothic buildings.
Toponymy
The syllable Regen- derives from the River Regen which runs through the area, where a fort named Castra Regina (meaning queen's fortress) was built which marked the start of the settlement. The word Regen comes from the word Latin word regina, meaning queen; -burg is hill in German.
See
Saint Peter's Church (Dom Sankt Peter)
The second landmark of Regensburg against the Stone Bridge, Saint Peter's Church (Dom Sankt Peter) is an example of important Gothic architecture, as the architect came from France. It was built in the 14th century CE to replace an earlier burnt down cathedral on the same site that was built in the 8th century CE.
Stone Bridge (Steinerne Brücke)
The Stone Bridge is Regensburg's most important landmark that crosses the Danube (Donau). Highly regarded as a masterpiece of mediaeval architecture and emblem of the city, it was built in the early 12th century CE and today is a pedestrian bridge that connects the city centre with Stadtamhof. For more than 800 years, until the 1930s CE, it remained as the city's only bridge across the river.
The gatehouse and clocktower of the bridge. At the ground floor there is a brilliant museum on the UNESCO WHS, especially the Stone Bridge.
Old Townhouse (Altes Rathaus)
Built in 14th century CE, the Old Townhouse (Altes Rathaus) is the main council area, also serving as a museum.
Old Chapel (Basilika Unserer Lieben Frau Zur Alten Kapelle)
The Basilica of the Nativity of Our Lady to the Ancient Chapel (Basilika Unserer Lieben Frau Zur Alten Kapelle) is the oldest catholic place of worship in Bavaria (Bayern) which dates back to 1002 CE. With a Baroque style interior reconstructed during the 18th century CE, it is one of the masterpieces of the Rococo decoration in Europe.
Porta Praetoria
The Porta Praetoria is Germany's most ancient stone building, dating back to 179 CE and was the northern gateway of Castra Regina, and forms part of the Danubian Līmes, refer to the earlier blog on Roman Līmes in Osterburken. After all the town started because it was one of the main sentinels of the Roman Empire (Latin: Imperium Rōmānum).
A new building is now incorporated into the old gateway.
Stadtamhof
The small island on the other side of the bridge, the island contains many colour building of historic remains, including various small churches, ateliers and galleries.
Eat and Drink
Sausage (Wurst)
Regensburg gave us the first fast food and open restaurant to the world in Wurstkuchl, which existed here since 1135 CE! Originally a canteen to serve the bridge construction workers, it serves charcoal grilled German sausages (Wurst) along with sauerkraut. The original small building has been standing there since its foundation and hence most guests (which is a lot) sit outside on open benches. Definitely worth trying!
Getting There and Around
Regensburg is a very tiny town and everything is within walking distance. A good half-day visit. We drove there.
UNESCO Inscriptions
Located on the Danube River in Bavaria, this medieval town contains many buildings of exceptional quality that testify to its history as a trading centre and to its influence on the region from the 9th century. A notable number of historic structures span some two millennia and include ancient Roman, Romanesque and Gothic buildings. Regensburg’s 11th- to 13th-century architecture – including the market, city hall and cathedral – still defines the character of the town marked by tall buildings, dark and narrow lanes, and strong fortifications. The buildings include medieval patrician houses and towers, a large number of churches and monastic ensembles as well as the 12th-century Old Bridge. The town is also remarkable for the vestiges testifing to its rich history as one of the centres of the Holy Roman Empire that turned to Protestantism.
The workshop organization, or Bauhüttenwesen, appeared in the Middle Ages on the construction sites of European cathedrals. Now, as then, these workshops are home to various trades working in close collaboration. The term Bauhüttenwesen in German refers both to the organization of a workshop network dealing with the construction or restoration of a building and to the workshop itself, as a place of work. Since the end of the Middle Ages, these workshops have formed a supra-regional network extending beyond national borders. The workshops safeguard the traditional customs and rituals of their professions, as well as a wealth of knowledge transmitted across the generations, both orally and in writing. Faced with the progressive shortage of technical skills and in an age of increasing mechanization and cost optimization, the workshops created or re-established in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries have become institutions that preserve, transmit and develop traditional techniques and know-how. Their commitment to safeguarding and promoting living heritage, through targeted awareness raising, information and communication measures and close cooperation with shareholders in the field of politics, the church, monument conservation, business and research, can be considered as an example to be adapted and implemented in other contexts worldwide. Through their organization and training system for on-site practice, the workshops could be considered as a model for all types of buildings that need to be built and maintained.
References
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