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Regensburg (English formerly Ratisbon, Latin Ratisbona, Czech Řezno) 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.

1 History

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 AD 90 the Romans built a small "cohort-fort" in what would now be the suburbs.

In 179 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 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 CityIn the Holy Roman Empire, an Imperial Free City (in German: Freie Reichsstadt was a city formally responsible to the Emperor only as opposed to the majority of cities in the Empire, which belonged to a territory and were thus governed by one of the many p 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 ReichstagThe term Reichstag (in English: Imperial Diet) is a composition of German Reich (Empire) and tag (which does not mean "day" here, but is a derivate of the verb tagen which means assembling for debate). The Latin term, a direct translation, was curia imper (Imperial Diet) of the Holy Roman EmpireThe Holy Roman Empire ( German: Heiliges Romisches Reich was a political conglomeration of lands in western and central Europe in the Middle Ages. Emerging from the eastern part of the Frankish realm after its division in the Treaty of Verdun ( 843), it l. In 1809Events January 16 Peninsular War: The British defeat the French at the Battle of Corunna. February 3 Illinois Territory was created. February 11 Robert Fulton patents the steamboat. February 20 A decision by the Supreme Court of the United States states t, 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 19April 19 is the 109th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (110th in leap years). There are 256 days remaining. Events 1012 Martyrdom of St Alphege in Greenwich, London. 1529 At the Diet of Speyer a group of rulers German Furst) and independent citie and April 23April 23 is the 113th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (114th in leap years). There are 252 days remaining. Events 215 BC A temple is built on the Capitoline Hill dedicated to Venus Erycina to commemorate the Roman defeat at Lake Trasum. 303 Sain, 1809Events January 16 Peninsular War: The British defeat the French at the Battle of Corunna. February 3 Illinois Territory was created. February 11 Robert Fulton patents the steamboat. February 20 A decision by the Supreme Court of the United States states t 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.

2 Buildings

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 cloisterCloister of Saint Trophimus, in Arles, France A Cloister is part of cathedral's and abbey's architecture. A cloister consists usually of four corridors, with a courtyard or quad in the middle. Cloisteral life is another name for the life of a monk or nun.s 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 (born 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 miles 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 miles above Regensburg, a large circular building which has for its aim the glorification of the heroes of the 1813 War of Liberation .

3 Partner Cities

Aberdeen, Scotland ( United Kingdom), since 1955
Brixen ( Bressanone), ( Italy), since 1969
Clermont-Ferrand ( France), since 1969
Pilsen ( Czech Republic), since 1993
Tempe, Arizona ( USA), since 1981
Odessa ( Ukraine), since 1990

4 External links

Germany | German districts | Rural and urban districts in Bavaria

This article incorporates text from the public domain 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica. 1911 Britannica

Cities in Germany

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