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RATISBON
- GERMANY
Regensburg (English formerly Ratisbon, French
Ratisbonne, Latin Ratisbona, Czech Rezno) 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.
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 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.
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 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 (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.
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