Walhalla temple is located on a hillside above the Danube River just east of Regensberg. Built between 1830 and 1842, it houses 65 placques and 130 busts of "famous personalities in German history--politicians, soverigns, scientists and artists", covering 2000 years of history. Sadly we were only able to view this neo-classical building from afar... Cruising is convenient but you realize how much you miss by not being able to explore the region at your own pace.
Regensburg dates from the middle ages and remnants of the city's walls and former architecture are still visible. Being so far south and not having any strategic targets, it is one of the few German cities to avoid bombing during WWII. However time has taken its toll on the older structures and in the 50's many buildings were "pulled down" to avoid having them collapse on their own. A period of restoration followed and many structures were rebuilt using the original materials. Pieces were saved from those that couldn't be rebuilt and incorporated into the new building built on the site. 
Below is an example of a portion of the original wall that surrounded and protected the city, now incorporated into new buildings. Also note the lower windows on the white structure -- these were salvaged from the original medieval building and incorporated into the reconstruction design, in the approximate location that they originally occupied.
This 2000-year-old arch dates back to the times when this area was part of the Roman Empire.
Saint Peter's cathedral is another fine example of Gothic architecture from the 13th century. These majestic churches are in need of constant renovation and Germany imposes an 8% church tax to help fund these operations. Invidivuals declare their religious affiliation on their tax forms and the money is allocated accordingly. Historically, entire towns or regions belong to one faith, according to the local ruler's choice. Country-wide, thirty-five percent of the population of Germany is Roman Catholic, thirty-six percent Protestant (mostly Lutheran) and a small percentage is Jewish. Individuals who declare no religous affiliation can avoid the 8% surtax and this has hurt the restoration efforts in recent years, particularly during the current economic times.
Love the datails...
A person can get terribly thirsty walking around a new city. Many of the brewries are owned by the church (note the Pope's picture on the wall in the background). This one is also located in a hospital, so naturally we had to patronize it. The local beers are only available in the city where they are brewed as the Germans love their beer and there is never any left over for export. When you order a beer, the norm is a .5 liter glass, so if you want less (.25 liter) you must specify "ein klein" (small) beer. (Why would a person want less?)
Regensburg is also home to Europe's oldest bridge, completed in 1146. Now only pedestrian and bicycle traffic is allowed to cross and ships are forbidden to go underneath. When the allied troops approached the bridge during WWII, the 1st and 10th pillars were blown up to impede the advance. As the Allied Forces approached from the south, the Nazis escaped in the opposite direction. The mayor came out to the bridge and told the US troops that the Nazis had retreated and the Americans were welcome to come into the city, thus saving this historic city from attack.
The cathedral of St. Peter, built in the 13th century gothic style. A new "hanging" pipe organ was recently installed at a cost of over 2.5 million euro. The installation only required the drilling of four 5" holes in the ceiling. 
Christmas decorations are starting to go up in the shopping district.
Regensburg dates from the middle ages and remnants of the city's walls and former architecture are still visible. Being so far south and not having any strategic targets, it is one of the few German cities to avoid bombing during WWII. However time has taken its toll on the older structures and in the 50's many buildings were "pulled down" to avoid having them collapse on their own. A period of restoration followed and many structures were rebuilt using the original materials. Pieces were saved from those that couldn't be rebuilt and incorporated into the new building built on the site. 
Below is an example of a portion of the original wall that surrounded and protected the city, now incorporated into new buildings. Also note the lower windows on the white structure -- these were salvaged from the original medieval building and incorporated into the reconstruction design, in the approximate location that they originally occupied.
This 2000-year-old arch dates back to the times when this area was part of the Roman Empire.
Saint Peter's cathedral is another fine example of Gothic architecture from the 13th century. These majestic churches are in need of constant renovation and Germany imposes an 8% church tax to help fund these operations. Invidivuals declare their religious affiliation on their tax forms and the money is allocated accordingly. Historically, entire towns or regions belong to one faith, according to the local ruler's choice. Country-wide, thirty-five percent of the population of Germany is Roman Catholic, thirty-six percent Protestant (mostly Lutheran) and a small percentage is Jewish. Individuals who declare no religous affiliation can avoid the 8% surtax and this has hurt the restoration efforts in recent years, particularly during the current economic times.
Love the datails...
A person can get terribly thirsty walking around a new city. Many of the brewries are owned by the church (note the Pope's picture on the wall in the background). This one is also located in a hospital, so naturally we had to patronize it. The local beers are only available in the city where they are brewed as the Germans love their beer and there is never any left over for export. When you order a beer, the norm is a .5 liter glass, so if you want less (.25 liter) you must specify "ein klein" (small) beer. (Why would a person want less?)
Regensburg is also home to Europe's oldest bridge, completed in 1146. Now only pedestrian and bicycle traffic is allowed to cross and ships are forbidden to go underneath. When the allied troops approached the bridge during WWII, the 1st and 10th pillars were blown up to impede the advance. As the Allied Forces approached from the south, the Nazis escaped in the opposite direction. The mayor came out to the bridge and told the US troops that the Nazis had retreated and the Americans were welcome to come into the city, thus saving this historic city from attack.
The cathedral of St. Peter, built in the 13th century gothic style. A new "hanging" pipe organ was recently installed at a cost of over 2.5 million euro. The installation only required the drilling of four 5" holes in the ceiling. 
Christmas decorations are starting to go up in the shopping district.
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