Since its founding by Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius in 179 A.D., Regensburg's years have remained alive, and its remarkable buildings and towers offer an unspoiled look into the past.

Regensburg History

People have settled on the Danube near Regensburg since the Stone Ages. The Celtic name Radasbona was the oldest name given to a prehistoric settlement.

Regensburg's written history dates back to 179 A.D., when the Roman camp Castra Regina was completed under Emperor Marcus Aurelius. The deed for its foundation was hewn in stone - a table unique in Germany that can be seen in the city's museum.

After withdrawal of the Romans, Regensburg was the governmental seat of the Bavarian dukes and Bavaria's first capital. In the time of Charlemagne, Regensburg became a favored site for Imperial diets and princely assemblages. With this rise in its political fortunes, the city also enjoyed an economic boom. In the 12th and 13th centuries, the ministry officials of the Frankish kings developed into proud and incredibly wealthy merchants. Their lifestyle rivaled that of the nobility.

Regensburg in Dates
Around 90 A.D
Erection of a Roman fort

179 A.D.: The Roman fortress Castra Regina is founded for the Third Italic Legion during the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius.

6th Century: Castra Regina is known as Rega-nespurc and is made the residence of the Dukes of the House of Agilolf and the first capital city of Bavaria.

739 A.D.: St. Boniface founds the Bishopric of Regensburg.

788 A.D.: Duke Tassilo III, last of the Agilolfing dynasty, deposed by Charlemagne.

11th and 12th Centuries: Three armies of Crusaders gather in Regensburg and set off on journeys to the Holy Land.

12th and 13th Centuries: Regensburg enjoys period of flourishing economy with trading connections as far as Paris, Venice and Kiev. At this time Regensburg is one of Europe's wealthiest cities. The Romanesque and Gothic architecture of the Middle Ages is still prominent today in the Old Town.

1135 - 1146: Stone Bridge erected. This miracle of medieval engineering served as a model for many bridge building projects, including the Charles Bridge in Prague.

1180: Henry the Lion deposed as Duke of Bavaria by Emperor Frederick Barbarossa during Imperial Diet in Regensburg. Wittelsbachs established as ruling dynasty.

1245: Emperor Friedrich II bestows on the city the right of self-government with the privilege of "setting up a Mayor and Council." Regensburg remains a free imperial city until 1803.

1542: The Council of the City adopts the Protestant faith.

1546: Love affair blossoms during the Imperial Diet between Emperor Karl V. and Barbara Blomberg, the daughter of a Regensburg craftsman. Their son, Don Juan of Austria, defeats the Turks in the naval battle of Lepanto in 1571.

1630: Having fallen severely ill, the astronomer Johannes Kepler dies in the city.

1633 - 1634: During the Thirty Year's War, Regensburg is taken by storm by the Swedes under Bernhard von Weimar and won back again by Imperial and Bavarian troops.

1663 - 1806
Regensburg is the seat of the Perpetual Imperial Diet.

1806: Holy Roman Empire dissolved in Regensburg.

1809: Regensburg is attacked and taken by storm by French troops under Napoleon.

1859: Railway lines opened to Munich and Nuremberg.

1910: Opening of Luitpold Dock Basin (now Western Docks).

1938: Synagogue destroyed during so-called "Crystal Night".

1943: Major air-raid kills 402.

1945: Bridges over Danube blown up; women demonstrate for peaceful surrender of city; city occupied by American forces.

1960: Construction of Eastern Dock Basin.

1965: Laying of a foundation stone of the fourth Bavarian university.

1978: Regensburg-Kelheim section of the Rhine-Main-Danube Canal completed.

1979: Regensburg celebrates the 1800th anniversary of the foundation of Castra Regina.

1994: 1000th anniversary of the death of St. Wolfgang, the diocese's patron saint.

1995: 750th anniversary of status as Free Imperial City.

2006: Since July 13th Regensburg has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites List.

2006: Visit of pope Benedict XVI.