Alte Kapelle, Regensburg, Germany

According a tradition collegiate church of Our Dear Lady of the Old Chapel (Alte Kapelle) dates from Roman times. In the 18th century the Romanesque basilica was magnificently rebuilt in the Bavarian rococo style. Of special interest is the new organ which was dedicated by Pope Benedict XVI in 2006 during his visit to Regensburg.

User Reviews

Jason Roach (6 months ago)
Stunningly beautiful!!!

BradJill (17 months ago)
The Basilica of the Nativity of Our Lady is the oldest Catholic place of worship in Bavaria and one of the most important churches in Regensburg. It is located on Alter Kornmarkt to the east of Dom St. Peter's in the historic city centre. The church was originally founded around 1000 when a Romanesque abbey was built at this location. In the 18th-century the interior nave was given a Baroque and Rococo redesign. It is considered a Rococo masterpiece in the manner of the Wessobrunn School. The exterior is rather subtle and unassuming. However, once you enter the main chapel area, you will see an immaculate nave and interior with ornate decoration, endless gilding, artworks, ceiling fresco and elaborate high altar. There is much to feast your eyes upon within Basilica of the Nativity of Our Lady. It is well worth simply taking a seat and enjoying what is around and above you within the church. Note, you can conveniently visit Basilica of the Nativity of Our Lady before or after other interesting churches in the area. These include the Carmelite Church of St. Joseph on the other side of the square and St. Peter's Cathedral just a couple minutes walk west of this location.

Bullitt 78 (2 years ago)
The church is not very big and for me was kind of hard to find but it’s absolutely amazing inside. The whole place is covered with a interior fence but it’s absolutely a must see when it comes to this area.

lee devlin (3 years ago)
Rococo art at its best.. enough said.. 1 star off because of the iron grills

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Photo from Flickr, copyright Erik Christensen, Porkeri

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Kirkjubøargarður

Kirkjubøargarður ('Yard of Kirkjubøur', also known as King"s Farm) is one of the oldest still inhabited wooden houses of the world. The farm itself has always been the largest in the Faroe Islands. The old farmhouse dates back to the 11th century. It was the episcopal residence and seminary of the Diocese of the Faroe Islands, from about 1100. Sverre I of Norway (1151–1202), grew up here and went to the priest school. The legend says, that the wood for the block houses came as driftwood from Norway and was accurately bundled and numbered, just for being set up. Note, that there is no forest in the Faroes and wood is a very valuable material. Many such wood legends are thus to be found in Faroese history.

The oldest part is a so-called roykstova (reek parlour, or smoke room). Perhaps it was moved one day, because it does not fit to its foundation. Another ancient room is the loftstovan (loft room). It is supposed that Bishop Erlendur wrote the 'Sheep Letter' here in 1298. This is the earliest document of the Faroes we know today. It is the statute concerning sheep breeding on the Faroes. Today the room is the farm"s library. The stórastovan (large room) is from a much later date, being built in 1772.

Though the farmhouse is a museum, the 17th generation of the Patursson Family, which has occupied it since 1550, is still living here. Shortly after the Reformation in the Faroe Islands in 1538, all the real estate of the Catholic Church was seized by the King of Denmark. This was about half of the land in the Faroes, and since then called King"s Land (kongsjørð). The largest piece of King"s Land was the farm in Kirkjubøur due to the above-mentioned Episcopal residence. This land is today owned by the Faroese government, and the Paturssons are tenants from generation to generation. It is always the oldest son, who becomes King"s Farmer, and in contrast to the privately owned land, the King"s Land is never divided between the sons.

The farm holds sheep, cattle and some horses. It is possible to get a coffee here and buy fresh mutton and beef directly from the farmer. In the winter season there is also hare hunting for the locals. Groups can rent the roykstovan for festivities and will be served original Faroese cuisine.

Other famous buildings directly by the farmhouse are the Magnus Cathedral and the Saint Olav"s Church, which also date back to the mediaeval period. All three together represent the Faroe Island"s most interesting historical site.

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