Regensburg's transcendent cathedral, modeled on the airy, powerful lines of French Gothic architecture, is something of a rarity this far south in Germany. Begun in the 13th century, it stands on the site of a much earlier Carolingian church and can hold a remarkable 6,000 people, three times the population of Regensburg when building began (though only a fraction of the population when it was finally finished by Ludwig I of Bavaria almost 600 years later).
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Before heading into the Dom, take time to admire the intricate and frothy carvings of its facade. Inside, the glowing 14th-century stained glass in the choir and exquisitely detailed statues of Gabriel and the Virgin in the crossing (the intersection of the nave and the transepts) are among the church's outstanding features. Don't miss the small octagonal chapel, all sturdy grace and massive walls, built by Italian masons from the mid-12th century; you can barely make out the faded remains of stylized 11th-century frescoes on its ancient walls. And consider visiting the Domschatz (Cathedral Treasury) to see valuables dating back to the 11th century, including some vestments and monstrances still used during special services; it's under renovation but should reopen September 2025.
