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Regensburg ) is a city (population 150,212 in 2004) 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. b

The first settlements in Regensburg date to the Stone Ages. The Celtic name b 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 b during the reign of Emperor Marcus Aurelius. It was an important camp on what was then the northern fringe of the empire: it corresponds to what is today the Regensburg's i ("Old City"). 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. In 1135-1146 a bridge across the Danube, the i, was built. This stone bridge opened major international trade routes between Northern Europe and Venice, and this started Regensburg's golden age as city of wealthy trading families. Regensburg became the cultural center of southern Germany and was celebrated for its 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. At the end of the 15th century Regensburg became part of the Bavarian duchy in 1486, but its independence was restored by the Holy Roman emporer in 1496.

The city adopted the Reformation in 1542 and its Town Council remained entirely Lutheran until the incorporation of the city into the principality of Regensburg under Carl von Dalberg in 1803. A significant part of the population stayed Catholic, but Catholics were excluded form civil rigths ("Bürgerrecht"). The town of Regensburg must not be confused with the bishopric of Regensburg. Although the Imperial city had adopted Reformation, the town remained the seat of a Catholic bishop und several abbeys. Three of the latter, St. Emmeram, Niedermünster and Obermünster, were estates of their own within the Holy Roman Empire, meaning that they were granted a seat and a vote at the Imperial diet. So there was the unique situation, that the town of Regensburg comprised five independant "states" (in terms of the Holy Roman Empire): the Protestant city itself, the Catholic bishop and the three monasteries mentioned above.

(Imperial Diet) of the Holy Roman Empire. Thus Regensburg was one of the central towns of the Holy Roman Empire attracting visitors in large numbers. In 1803 the city lost its status as a free city. It was handed over to the archbishop of Mainz and Archchancellor of the Holy Roman Empire Carl von Dalberg in compensation for Mainz, which had become French under the terms of the Treaty of Lunéville in 1801. Together with Aschaffenburg, Wetzlar and (in 1806) Frankfurt upon Main, Regensburg formed a new state within the Empire. The archbishopric of Mainz was formally tranferred to Regensburg. Dalberg united the bishopric, the monsteries and the town itself making up the principality of Regensburg ("Fürstentum Regensburg"). Dalberg strictly modernised public life. Most importantly he awarded equal rights to Protestants und Catholics. In 1810 Carl von Dalberg ceded Regensburg to the kingdom of Bavaria, he himself being compensated by the towns of Fulda and Hanau being given to him under the title of a "Grand Duchy of Frankfurt".

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. The city suffered severe damage during the fight with about 150 houses being burnt and others being looted.

In contrast to almost all other major German cities, Regensburg suffered less damage from allied air raids in World War II and thus has an almost intact medieval city center. The most important cultural loss is the romanesque church of Obermünster, which was completely destroyed in an air raid in March 1945 and never rebuilt. Only the belfry survived. During WWII Regensburg was an Area Headquarters of Military District XIII (Wehrkreis XIII), under the command of Lieutenant General Bruno Edler von Kiesling auf Kieslingstein. This Area Command was in charge of the military forces of strong (Cathedral), though small, is a very interesting example of pure German Gothic and counts as the main work of Gothic architecture in Bavaria. 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., 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. It stands next to the i of the 13th century, and contains a valuable antiquarian collection. It houses the diocesan museum for religious art., 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.Whealthy patrician families competed against each other in who would be able to build the highest tower of the city. In 1260, the b, dating in part from the 14th century, contains the rooms occupied by the imperial diet from 1663 to 1806. (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.At Kumpfmühl, in the immediate neighbourhood of the city in 1885, the remains of a Roman camp with an arched gateway was discovered; the latter, known as the Porta Praetoria, was cleared in 1887.Among the public institutions of the city are the public library, picture gallery, botanical garden, and the institute for the making of stained glass. The city's i

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 b, 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 b 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.

Among the chief manufactures are iron and steel wares, pottery, parquet flooring, tobacco, and lead pencils. Boat-building is also done, and a brisk transit trade is carried on in salt, grain, and timber.

Regensburg can easily be reached from Munich by train which takes about 1.5 hours. The city lies also on two highways, the A3 from Cologne and Frankfurt to Vienna, and the A93 from Munich to Dresden. The city is also connected by "Bundestraßen", namely the B8, B15, and B16. The local transport is carried out by an intensive bus network.