The city fortifications of Regensburg: building history in the context of developments in fortification and historical urbanism

• Applicant: Professor Dr.-Ing. Alexander von Kienlin
• Subject Area: Architecture, Building and Construction History, Construction Research, Sustainable Building Technology
• Term: since 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 519774683

Regensburg, as a free imperial city and seat of the Everlasting Reichstag, was one of the most important cities in southern Germany for centuries. In addition to the well-known ecclesiastical and secular buildings, the respective city fortifications played a central role in the development and perception of the city. Emerging from the Roman legionary camp of Castra Regina, the existing fortifications enabled the settlement of civil structures within a protected space. The imposing and well-fortified appearance of the city is described as early as the 6th and 7th centuries and thus probably contributed to the settlement of important ruling dynasties in Regensburg. Subsequently, Regensburg developed into an economic and political center of power that repeatedly expanded, but at the same time had to withstand internal and external political differences. The walls grew steadily with it and thus reflect the city's history. While the Roman legionary camp with its enclosing wall has been the subject of research for a long time, the changes and expansions of Regensburg's city fortifications from the early Middle Ages onwards have rarely been the focus of scientific investigation. The research project therefore aims at a better understanding of the complex post-antique building history of the Regensburg city fortifications in the context of the outlined historical (political and economic) framework conditions as well as developments in defense and construction technology. The basis for this is the most extensive possible recording and investigation of still standing parts of the medieval and early modern city fortifications of Regensburg with a special focus on their towers and gate buildings. Specific questions are aimed at constructions, materials as well as possible planning and building processes. In addition, the impact of the wall on urban development in general and the primary functions (protection, legal space, city boundary, representation, etc.) of its parts will be investigated: Against this background, for example, the handling of parts of the wall that have become non-functional and oft he structural changes to the existing remains in the 19th century are of particular interest, as are the earlier influences of fortification on urban structures. Since in Regensburg a complete traceability of the regular city expansions is possible, it attains a similarly outstanding importance in science as the cities of Worms or Speyer. With the fortification of the city effected by Emperor Arnulf around 918, it has the oldest preserved city wall sections in the German-speaking world and sets new standards for the classification of Romanesque city walls throughout Europe.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants