Regensburg tourist information
Haidplatz is one of the oldest squares in Regensburg's medieval city. It originated as a triangular meadow which lay west of the then Roman fortress. As the centuries progressed the square grew in importance and many significant and impressive buildings were built around it. Today it is a focal point in the city and many festivals take place here throughout the year.
The hotel "Zum Goldenen Kreuz" on the north side of Haidplatz has been central to the modern history of the square. Kaiser Karl V used to stay here when he attended parliamentary sessions. On his last visit to the city he fell madly in love with the beautiful Barbara Blomberg. The end product of this affair, namely Don Juan of Austria, went on to achieve fame by defeating the Turks in the Battle of Lepanto. The hall on the ground floor of the hotel was famous for being a meeting place of the rich and powerful. King Ludwig I of Bavaria, the future Kaiser William I of Prussia and Kaiser Franz-Joseph were all visitors to the hall. Today the hall is the In-Café in the square.
Beside the "Goldenen Kreuz" you will find the Thon-Dittmer Palace dating from the classical period. This traditional building was the home of the famous merchant family; the Thon-Dittmers. This family became Regensburg's most successful merchants in the 18th Century through their far-reaching international connections. Today the palace is home to the Culture Department, an adult school, the city library and the German-American Institute. During the summer months a large number of cultural events take place in the open-air courtyard (Arkadenhof) of the palace (see picture); these range from classical concerts to silent movies. The gallery is very popular by performers who value being able to display their talents in the open.
From the centre of Haidplatz in the direction of the cathedral you will see the "Neuen Waag" building. In the middle-ages this was the seat of the town council. Directly beside this building was a tavern where the councillors could refresh themselves after a hard-day's debating. In the ground floor of the "Neuen Waag" in a gothic vault which was once a small chapel, the famous "stone mouse" of Regensburg is hidden. The "Neuen Waag" was also important during the reformation. In 1541 Philipp Melanchthon and Johannes Eck tried to reach a compromise between the two religions in the tower of the building
For centuries Haidplatz has been the scene of festivals. In medieval times the square was the setting for jousting competitions where often more than 300 knights would take part.
According to legend, at the turn of the last millennium Regensburg was under threat from the heathen knight Krako. However this threat was diffused by the Regensburg knight Dollinger after a spectacular duel between the two took place in Haidplatz. This fantastic story has been re-inacted every summer since 1996.
In the 17th century a famous French surgeon attempted to cross the square on a tight-rope. He made things a little more interesting by tying fireworks to his body. His subsequent fall coupled with a huge explosion would be the material of international headlines even today.
Such dramatic exhibitions do not normally happen today but you can find jugglers, fire-eaters and stilt-men at the summer festival in Haidplatz. Throughout the year you will find hand-made pottery, jewellery and metal craft-work for sale in the square. The regional Jazz-weekend and Regensburg's summer culture events ensure that Haidplatz is still very much at the centre of life in the city.
Renovations in Neupfarrplatz from 1995 to 1997 led to some significant archaeological discoveries in what was the former Jewish quarter.
This Jewish quarter lay inside the early town centre of Regensburg; in the area around the Roman garrison from around 200 ad. onwards. Regensburg's Jewish community is considered to have been one of the earliest in Germany. The first recorded evidence of a Jewish settlement here dates from 981, but excavations point to there existing a much earlier Jewish community.
The Jewish quarter peaked in importance in the 12th and 13th Centuries. On its own its Talmud school was considered to be an intellectual centre of Europe. The Jews who lived here were involved in trading and commerce and were instrumental in the development of Regensburg as a market city.
In 1519 the circa 500 Jews in Regensburg were expelled by the city council and the Jewish quarter was systematically demolished. About 30 houses are known to have covered this area of almost 5 acres. We know that within this area there was a synagogue, the Talmudic school, a religious court a hospital and a ceremonial bath. Only recently we have begun to form a clear picture of everyday life in this important part of historical Regensburg.
It was only during the course of the excavations between 1995 and early 1997 that many previously unknown archaeological treasures were unearthed.
A larger area of the medieval ghetto that surrounded Neupfarrplatz was uncovered and documented. Cellars and caverns of the houses that were destroyed in 1519 were discovered, many of which were preserved in excellent condition. These date from the roman and gothic periods. Important findings such as walls, steps, old wells and parts of roads have given archaeologists a clear picture of what the Jewish quarter looked like.
However the most important discovery was that of the ground plans of the roman and gothic synagogue which were unearthed in a different location than had been previously believed.
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