Stone Bridge

The bridge's construction was financed by Regensburg's merchants and began in 1136. In 1142, its patronage transferred from the Duke of Bavaria to the King (or Emperor) of Germany. His successors from the Babenberg dynasty, Duke Leopold IV(1139-41)  and Duke Heinrich Jasomirgott(1143-56), continued to support the bridge-building project.

It is also an accepted fact that King Konrad III influenced the continuing construction. And last but not least, the residents of Regensburg, foremostly the merchants, were highly interested in the new traffic connection and certainly contributed to its costs. Later, the Free Imperial City of Regensburg was registered as the owner of the bridge, and this is perhaps a indication of the large share held by the residents in its construction.

Rising towards the centre, the bridge once had three fortified towers. It has 16 masonry arches and crosses the Danube with its 336m length. The bridge is held as a masterpiece of medival technology. For centuries, it was the only secure Danube crossing between Ulm and Vienna, giving it great significance for traffic.

The people of Regensburg profited from this situation, since all trade traffic in both directions was forced to pass through the city because of its location at the Danube's northernmost point. Thus, in the 12th century Regensburg became a central junction between northern France and the countries farther down the Danube, as well as on the long-distance roads from the south towards Thuringia, Saxony, Bohemia and Poland. During the Middle Ages, the emperors and kings used to enter the city by way of the Stone Bridge.