The main branch of the Danube flows through the 16 arches of the Stone Bridge., Built 1135-1146, this masterpiece of medieval engineering is 1,017 feet long and still carries traffic from the left bank of the river through the last remaining tower into Regensburg's unique Old Town. Anyone who has crossed the 5 span bridge that crosses the Mississippi in Pakenham wil be familiar with the construction of the Stone Bridge... This charming town traces it's roots to the the sixth century. During the 12th and 13th centuries, Regensburg became the wealthiest and most populated city in southern Germany, and extensive trading was done with Venice via the Brenner Pass. Many churches, dynastic towers and patrician houses not found anywhere else give this city it's medieval appearance. It has had a glorious past, now a much less important town in terms of political or economic significance, it continues to shine as a visitors hot spot.
Gothic St. Peter's Cathedral, with its Romanesque tower called the Donkey Tower, is a remnant of the old cathedral, which was left as a support for the new Gothic construction. Finished in 1869. With twin towers , 344 feet high, we're added from 1859-1869.
Today has been a wandering day, following our guided tour; meandering up and down quaint narrow streets built hundreds of years ago. Cobblestone is the form of pavement, somewhat difficult to walk; well worth the effort to see countless shops, specializing in German clothing, clocks, watches, and the never-ending souvenir shops! Restaurants abound...the pub that we found was a famous outdoor sausage kitchen, where a mid afternooon snack included sausage, mustard, sauerkraut, pretzels and the ever required Bavarian beer. This particular area was also seriously flooded as recently as 12 weeks ago. A tile marks the level on the exterior wall to which water rose this Spring. Again the perseverance of the people amazes us. Floods are a part of life here; once the water recedes the population picks up and carries on with the tidying up
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