A Germanic Parthenon

Today we visited the town of Regensburg, an hour by train south-east of Nuremberg and on the Danube.

The highlight for us was a cruise down the Danube to the Walhalla, a monument high on a hill and modelled on the Parthenon in Athens. It was built by King Ludwig I and completed in 1842, to house busts of 'laudable and distinguished' Germans. The term 'German' is wide enough to include such people as Catherine the Great of Russia (born in Germany) and the Anglo-Saxon King Alfred.

We had an interesting and relaxing hour's cruise to reach Walhalla and then a long climb up the hill, including 251 steps at the top (yes, we counted them!) to reach the monument. The marble hall is beautifully decorated with blue and gold stucco work and marble Grecian statues, as well as 127 busts of heroes.

Our boat

The view on the way to Walhalla

  

We also enjoyed the views from the top before making the descent back to the boat, where we had a picnic lunch on the way back to the city.

The view from the top

Two goats enjoying the view too

There are two sights for which Regensburg is famous: the Steinerne Brucke (Stone Bridge) which spans the Danube with sixteen arches, and St Peter's Cathedral, which has amazing stained glass windows and a couple of famous statues. We were somewhat disappointed to find the bridge covered in scaffolding and off limits, and the cathedral closed for the day.

Instead we spent some time at the Historical Museum and enjoyed an audio-guide tour of the Roman relics there. Regensburg began as a Roman legionary fortress known as Castra Regina in AD 179 and relics are still being found, including a hoard of gold and copper coins which is on display in the museum. The audio-guide, models and re-creations of different aspects of Roman life brought this period in Regensburg's history to life for us.

Recreation of rooms in a Roman house

A Roman tower incorporated into another building

A rather grand hotel in Regensburg

Cathedral spires