Current Time in Regensburg, Germany

Regensburg is a historic city in Bavaria, eastern Germany, situated on the Danube River at the southernmost navigable point of the river, where the Regen River joins it from the north. The city's old town, a remarkably complete ensemble of medieval architecture spanning nearly 2,000 years of continuous urban settlement, was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2006. Regensburg is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Germany, having suffered only minimal war damage and containing an extraordinary density of Romanesque and Gothic architecture including the magnificent Cathedral of St. Peter.

With a population of approximately 160,000, Regensburg is the fourth-largest city in Bavaria and the seat of Upper Palatinate district government. The University of Regensburg and the OTH Regensburg technical university bring over 30,000 students to the city, contributing to a lively intellectual and cultural environment. The city's economy includes significant electronics, automotive, and biotechnology industries, making it one of Bavaria's most economically successful cities alongside Munich.

The history of Regensburg extends back to the Roman legionary camp of Castra Regina, established around 79 AD, which became the headquarters of the Third Italian Legion and one of the most important Roman military bases in the Danube frontier. In the early medieval period Regensburg served as the capital of the Duchy of Bavaria and as the site of the first permanent Danube crossing north of the Alps. The city was the preferred site of Imperial Diets (assemblies) of the Holy Roman Empire for centuries, and from 1663 to 1806 the Perpetual Imperial Diet met continuously in Regensburg, making it effectively the first permanent parliament in German history.

The Stone Bridge (Steinerne Brücke), built between 1135 and 1146, is one of the most important medieval bridges in Germany, crossing the Danube in twelve arches and remaining in use for over 850 years, making it the oldest intact bridge in Germany. The bridge served as the model for the Charles Bridge in Prague and for other medieval bridges across Europe. The Cathedral of St. Peter (Regensburger Dom), begun in 1273 and largely completed by the 15th century, is the most important Gothic cathedral in Bavaria, its twin spires rising 105 meters to dominate the city skyline. The cathedral's west facade is decorated with extraordinary Gothic sculpture, and the interior contains magnificent stained glass windows from various medieval periods.

The Regensburg Cathedral Sparrows (Domspatzen), the cathedral boys' choir associated with St. Peter's Cathedral since the 10th century, is the oldest boys' choir in the world and one of the finest sacred music ensembles in Germany. The Old Town Hall (Altes Rathaus), where the Perpetual Imperial Diet met from 1663, is another exceptional medieval monument now housing a museum of the Diet's proceedings. The Porta Praetoria, the northern gate of the Roman camp preserved in a courtyard near the cathedral, provides a direct encounter with Roman military architecture.

Regensburg's Wurstkuchl (Sausage Kitchen), operating since the 12th century on the banks of the Danube beside the Stone Bridge, is the oldest public restaurant in Germany, serving grilled sausages with sauerkraut and sweet mustard in exactly the same location and manner as it has for centuries. It is a beloved institution of Bavarian culinary tradition and one of the most authentically historic dining experiences available in Germany.

Regensburg is connected by rail to Munich in approximately ninety minutes and to Nuremberg. The combination of its UNESCO World Heritage old town, extraordinary Stone Bridge, Gothic cathedral, Roman heritage, imperial parliamentary history, and the oldest restaurant in Germany make Regensburg one of the most historically layered and rewarding cities in Bavaria.