Sep 19 - Regensburg, Germany

                                  A windy day in Regensburg!

This morning we arrived in Regensburg, the largest city in Bavaria known for its well preserved mediaeval core.  This is the city where Pope Benedict XVI was bishop and later Cardinal.

Our walking tour began at the ship and took us on a leisurely walk along the Danube to the Old Town.  Our guide, Peter, told us about the history of the city; most of the buildings were constructed in the 12th and 13th centuries.  The 12th-century Stone Bridge with 16 arches, crosses the river to the old town. It was used by Crusaders en route to the Holy Land.

Founded by the Romans in 179 AD as Casta Regina (meaning Fortress by the River Regen), Regensburg is one of Germany's oldest towns. It was relatively spared from bombings during World War II.  The interior of most of the buildings have been renovated, but the exteriors  are restored to their original appearance.

The City Hall was flying black banners on their flags in honour of Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral today.

  

The 13th-century Regensburg Cathedral is a twin spired Gothic cathedral (continuously surrounded by scaffolding!  Peter told us neither he, nor his father had ever seen the cathedral without scaffolding somewhere!)

The medieval centre of the city was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2006 because of its well-preserved architecture.

Again today we have the luxury of an afternoon at leisure.  We are enjoying the passing scene from the comfort of the lounge on the 3rd floor.      We are still on the Danube as we make our way towards the Main River.  We have gone through a number of locks, but  many more lie ahead on the Main. This next section of our journey is where the Main Canal connects the Danube and the Rhine, allowing ship traffic to go from the North Sea to the Black Sea.

To nap? Or not to nap? That is the question!  LOL

Stay tuned,

The Travellers