Regensburg – the old-new city

Mayor Wolbergs, what is special about your city?
You may be surprised by my response, because I’m going to quote an eleventh century monk. The Benedictine monk Otloh of St. Emmeram, one of Regensburg’s most famous monasteries, once said that our city is notable because it’s “both old and new at the same time”. And that’s precisely what makes Regensburg so special. Ten years ago, in July 2006, UNESCO made our Old Town a World Heritage site honouring its unique and beautifully preserved historical buildings. Wherever you turn you will come across traces of the Romans. With the exception of the larger Porta Nigra in Trier, the Porta Praetoria is the only surviving Roman gate complex north of the Alps, and it is included in the “Legionslagermauer” document that describes the fortifications. The representative patricians’ residences with their huge dynastic tower houses are medieval demonstrations of power and competition; the Stone Bridge, the oldest of its kind in Germany, and St Peter’s Cathedral, these are all important examples of Gothic architecture. They are some of the treasures worth seeing, and they would make Regesburg very special on their own. But there’s more than this, because our city is by no means a museum. Regensburg is a vibrant city and is quite rightly nicknamed the “northernmost Italian city”. People come from all regions in the republic, and from around the world, not only to look and marvel, but also to learn, study, work and put down permanent roots. That’s why our city, unlike many others of a similar size, is continuing to grow. And most of the people from our city who have moved away for some reason, usually want to return again at some point in their lives.

What do you see when you look out of your office window?
My office is located in the baroque section of the Old Town Hall. From my window I can look down at the town hall square below where, especially in the summer months, innumerable tourists gather to hear about our rich history in a multitude of languages. I hear their cries of amazement and watch as most of them take out their cameras or smartphones for a photo. But I can also see the people of Regensburg as they stroll through the city, drink a coffee in one of the street cafés on the square or enjoy themselves on a shopping spree.  When I see all of this I realize that most of the people in our city are really doing fine!

Where in your city do you most like to spend your time?
That’s incredibly difficult to answer. There are so many enchanting niches and attractive places to choose from. All I can do is invite everyone who hasn’t been to Regensburg before to come and take a look around. For people who prefer tranquillity we have innumerable parks and green areas. On the banks of the Danube, for instance, you can watch the swirling waters that have even been eternalized in an old folk song. And especially in summer, the many beer gardens offer a wonderful atmosphere in pleasant surroundings with hearty snacks. If you prefer more lively surroundings, the Old Town has a wealth of opportunities to find a cosy setting. And at the moment we’re installing different kinds of seating opportunities for people to simply relax and enjoy watching daily life in the Old Town. My personal favourite is the Restaurant Orphée in Untere Bachgasse. It’s a true classic in Regensburg! I like to sit there when I need some relaxation and simply watch the people going by. But it’s also a place where I enjoy chatting with locals and guests.

Which of your city’s personalities do you value most?
It’s not necessarily the famous people who impress me most, although there are a lot of those, of course. They range from Albrecht Altdorfer to Johannes Kepler and Pope Benedict XVI. Their achievements for Regensburg and for humanity are indisputable. But personally I have learned to appreciate the completely normal people in our city. After all, it is them who make Regensburg into what it is. Here are just a few examples of what I mean: during the flood disaster, there was a housewife who tirelessly brewed coffee and made sandwiches for the men and women of the fire brigade and the THW technical relief teams. Then there are the students who, in their spare time, are helping refugees to find a new home here with us. And there are the many dedicated volunteers working with charities for the wellbeing of others without asking for any rewards or recognition. They all shape the face of our city, and it makes me feel incredibly proud!

What would you like to show tourists?
If you really want to get to know Regensburg, you definitely have to experience the bustling Old Town with its wide open squares and narrow winding alleys and streets. But it’s also worth taking a look at our city from above. You can climb up the tower of the Church of the Holy Trinity in Gesandtenstrasse for a wonderful panoramic view, or if you have time you can go on an outing to the Winzerer Höhen, the hills to the north of our city on the opposite side of the Danube. The area is wonderful for rambling with lots of fantastic views opening up over the entire city as you go.

Where can visitors best get to know the people of your city?
It’s really easy to meet people at the various weekly markets. The biggest market is the Farmers Market on the Alter Kornmarkt. It takes place every Saturday from very early in the morning until lunchtime. It offers a huge variety of local produce, and it’s easy to strike up a conversation with the different market vendors and the other customers.

And where do you most like to spend your vacations?
After everything I’ve told you, you will hardly be surprised when I say: in Regensburg. It’s true! It’s partly because I feel happiest when I am able to work. That’s why I like to be within reach of the Old Town Hall. On the other hand, to put it simply I feel as happy as a skylark in this city! The only alternative is where my original family roots are, the North Sea coast and East Friesland. Just a few days there occasionally, and the change really does me good. That’s all I need in the way of holidays!

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