Straubing |  |
| Country | D, Germany |
|---|---|
| Province | Bayern, Bavaria |
| Region | Gäuboden |
| ZIP | 94315 |
| Danube´s banks | Left |
| Population | 45000 |
| Sea level | 331 |
| General description | The old Bavarian ducal town of Straubing is situated on the River Danube between Regensburg and Passau, and is regarded as one of the main gateways to the Bavarian Forest National Park. Straubing was not only one of the most important centres founded by the noble House of Wittelsbach in the 13th century, its history as a settlement dates back to 6000 years B.C. - no wonder with such fertile soil and such a favourable location near the river. The Celts established the town "Sorviodurum", and the Romans maintained an important fort. The town was named after the Bavarian leader Strupo. In 1218 Ludwig the Kelheimer finally founded the Wittelsbach town of Straubing. The royal seat of the House of Wittelsbach in Straubing reached its heyday during the era of the Duchy of Straubing-Holland from 1353-1425. Numerous exhibits in the Gäuboden Museum give an insight into the town's 8000 year old history. The most sensational find in the museum has to be the collection of Roman treasure, that was buried in 233 A.D. during the Alemannic invasion, not to be rediscovered until 1950 during excavation work. The treasure consists of head and face masks, leg shields, head shields for horses, bronze statuettes etc. The collection is the only one of its kind in Bavaria. More relicts of the Romans are visible in the new opened Park of Romans called "Sorviodurum". Apart from the Gäuboden Museum, Straubing has numerous other sights that are well worth a visit. First and foremost the town's most famous landmark - its 14th century tower, which divides the 600 metre long Gothic market place into two halves. St. Peter's complex is a jewel of a special kind, it has one of the most significant graveyards in the entire German speaking area. There are six centuries of wrought-iron crosses and gravestones, a Romanic basilica (circa 1180) and three Gothic chapels. One of the chapels was built by Duke Ernst to atone for the death of the barber's daughter Agnes Bernauer from Augsburg, who, as a commoner could not be recognized as a suitable match for his son and heir Duke Albrecht. Out of concern for the line of succession he had her condemned to death as a sorceress. She was drowned in the River Danube on 12th October 1435. In her memory the Agnes Bernauer Festival Production is staged every four years in the courtyard of the ducal residence (next June/July 2011). Back to the sights: Straubing has two of the most significant late Gothic hall churches (building from circa 1400) in "Old Bavaria", the extremely richly decorated Parish Church of St. James, attributed to the famous architect Hans von Burghausen and with the "Moseswindow" from Albrecht Dürer, and the Carmelite Monastery Church with its baroque alterations by Dientzenhofer. The Ursuline Convent Church built by the Asam brothers, was to be their last joint masterpiece (1736-1741), both architecture and decor combine to form this gem of late baroque, which is likewise well worth a visit. Straubing also has a wealth of leisure activities to offer. You can do almost anything in the field of sports and recreation. The place is particularly attractive for cyclists! It is situated directly on the Danube Cycleway, which takes you as "Tour de Baroque" the 2000 kilometres from Kelheim to Passau combining the enjoyment of art with the appreciation of natur. Other points of attraction for spectators are the traditional trotting course as well as football or icehockey matches. For both younger and older visitors a trip to the adventure pool AQUAtherm or to the Zoo - the only one in Eastern Bavaria with more than 1700 animals in almost 200 species - would be the thing to do. In the middle of August Straubing always celebrates the so-called "fifth season", the Gäuboden Beer Festival, Fair and Eastern Bavarian exhibition for trade and industriy. This Bavarian Beer Festival, second only in size to the Octoberfest in Munich, attracts over a million visitors. |
| en.wikipedia.org |  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Straubing |
| Map | |
| Latitude (d:m:s) | 48:53:0 |
| Longitude (d:m:s) | 12:34:0 |
