From Roman finds and medieval cellars to the splendour of a princely house: at the Long Night of Museums on 10 October, you can walk through Regensburg's history in a single evening. These five stops are open from 6 pm to 1 am and are all in the old town.
Historical Museum
The Historisches Museum is the city's main museum for the art and history of Regensburg and the surrounding region, from prehistory and the Roman era to the present day. It is housed in the former Minorite monastery, which is itself one of its most important exhibits. On the Long Night, it offers one of the busiest programmes of any venue:
- 6 pm to 1 am: exhibitions, plus music and drinks at the Museumscafé
- 7 to 10 pm: "Kritzelkiste", a drop-in drawing corner in the visitor lounge
- 8 pm: short tour "Alles Vorgeschichte oder wie?" (It's All Prehistory, Isn't It?)
- 8:15 pm: "Das klingende Museum" (The Singing Museum) with the vocal ensemble Kneitingales
- 9 pm: short tour "Alle Wege führen nach Rom" (All Roads Lead to Rome)
- 9:30 and 10:30 pm: short tour "Tanzen und Taumeln" (Dancing and Reeling)
- 10 pm: short tour on conservation work in the art and cultural history collection
- 10 pm: music in the Minoritenkirche with the Kneitingales
- 11 pm: short tour of the special exhibition "Krieger & Christ" (Warrior & Christian)
- 11 pm: "Lieder zur Nacht" (Songs for the Night) in the Minoritenkirche
Last admission is at 12:30 am.
Address: Dachauplatz 2–4
document Neupfarrplatz
Beneath Neupfarrplatz lie the medieval cellars of the Jewish quarter, which was destroyed in 1519. Large parts were uncovered during an excavation, and the document explains what they mean. At 7 pm, the vocal ensemble Kneitingales sings "Wait a minute" in front of the entrance. Access is limited by the site itself, so expect possible waiting times. Last admission is at 12:30 am.
Address: Neupfarrplatz 1, entrance to the right of the Neupfarrkirche
Bridge Tower Museum
The last surviving tower of the Stone Bridge offers a view over the rooftops of the old town, the Danube and the bridge itself. On the way up, models, texts and illustrations tell the story of the bridge and why it was an obstacle for shipping. There are 84 steps, and no more than 25 people are allowed in the tower at once.
Address: Weiße-Lamm-Gasse 1, entrance in the bridge gate
Thurn und Taxis Museums: Treasury and Riding Hall
On Emmeramsplatz, the Thurn und Taxis Museums show two collections at once. The Princely Treasury, in the north wing of the former neoclassical stables, displays objects from the princely collections that the Bavarian National Museum took over in 1993: furniture, porcelain, snuffboxes, weapons, and gold and silver work from Europe's leading workshops. Right next door, the 600-square-metre riding hall houses a carriage collection of European standing, with carriages, sleighs, sedan chairs and litters from the 18th and 19th centuries, along with gala harness and riding equipment. The stables were built between 1829 and 1832 by the architect Jean-Baptiste Métivier, and the figures in the riding hall are by the sculptor Ludwig von Schwanthaler.
Address: Emmeramsplatz 5
Danube Shipping Museum Regensburg
This museum isn't in a building at all, but on board two historic ships: the paddle steam tug "Ruthof-Érsekcsánád", built in 1922, and the motor tug "Freudenau", built in 1942. Both have been carefully restored. Visitors can step into several original rooms, where the steam engine and the diesel engine take up much of the space. Dioramas, models and information panels on board the steamer tell the story of shipping on the German-speaking stretch of the Danube. The motor tug is still in working order today. The museum is open from 6 pm to 1 am.
Address: Marc-Aurel-Ufer 1 (mooring)