Regensburg

The Romans had a "castra" here on the banks of the Danube. There might have been even a bishop´s seat in the late Roman times. The bishopric got refounded by St. Boniface in 739, when Regensburg was the seat of the Agilolfing ruling family.

Charlemagne ended that when he punished his disloyal cousin Tassilo III. Charlemagne stayed two winters here (791–793) to ensure his influence. Later this was the seat of Ludwig II ("Louis the German") in 843.

The "Steinerne Bruecke" (= Stone Bridge), seen here, was built across the Danube 1135-1146. The bridge, protected by three towers during medieval times, was used by Louis VII of France ("Louis VII le Jeune") and his army on their way to the Second Crusade. Two of the three towers got demolished over the time, the remaining one can be seen here.

The large, semicircular opening right to the tower was created for the tram, that used to run over the bridge. Meanwhile only pedestrians and bikers are allowed to cross the Danube here. Left to the tower is the "Salzstadel", built 1616, as a storage house, when the harbour was here.

Unfortunately not visible from this point of view is the "Historische Wurstkuchl" ("Historic Sausage Kitchen"). left to the "Salzstadl". The Wurstkuchl may date back to the time, when construction work was done, catering for the workers. The Wurstkuchl is probably the oldest of it´s kind worldwide - and may be judged as the mother of all Take-Aways (incl. McDonald´s and Burger King). It is owned by the same family since 1806 - and still serves sausages with kraut and mustard.

Meanwhile there is even an English website:
www.wurstkuchl.de/tavern.html

The large Regensburg Cathedral, seen in the back, has been a huge construction site for hundreds of years So the Wurstkuchl had customers from there as well, when the workers had their lunch hour. Now it serves to locals and tourists like me. I have tasted the sausages - and recommend them.