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Around 90 AD, a Roman fort was established the river Regen, at a place the local tribes had long called Radasbona. This small fort, built to house 500 soldiers, was subject to frequent raids and was eventually destroyed. As a direct consequence of this unrest, the great philosopher- emperor, Marcus Aurelius founded a Legionary fortress here in 179 AD. The site was renamed Castra Regina and was a vital base on the Danubian frontier. The new fortress was home to around 6000 Legionaries of the III Italic Legion. Around the fortress, a substantial civilian settlement (what we call a Canabae) sprang up. With the fall of the Roman Empire, this settlement developed into a town, occupying the site and buildings of the old Roman base.

In the Medieval period, Regensburg was an important spiritual, economic and military centre. It was an important centre of Jewish learning and a rallying point for Knights setting off on Crusade in the holy land. It's magnificent stone bridge has been used by pilgrims, attacking and defending armies, merchants, all sorts of people - people like Napoleon, Oskar Schindler and Pope Benedict. Walk in their footsteps when you visit with us.   

On this day-long tour from Munich, we examine the origins of the town and its environs, from early Celtic settlers to the coming of Rome as well as aspects of life in the Medieval period and beyond. We do this in several ways:

• Firstly we examine close up, the remains of the Roman fortifications, including the famous Roman gatehouse, the "Porta Praetoria"

• We visit the fantastic City Museum, which boasts impressive and important displays of local artefacts from Palaeolithic through to the Bronze and Iron Ages. Naturally, the Roman and Medieval periods are well represented, with displays of arms and armour, jewellery, tombstones, inscriptions and artwork to name just some of the breathtaking treasures on display.

• We walk the narrow twisting streets and visit the famous Cathedral. Take a lunch break and sample the delicious local sausages and beer.

Later, you can either:

• Spend a few hours exploring on your own (don't worry, we'll give you a map) to get those souvenirs or just soak up the atmosphere; or

• Literally travel back 2000 years on a unique and fascinating archaeology tour which cuts through the Legionary barracks, a Medieval Synagogue and ends in a WW2 air-raid shelter, all under the streets of Regensburg. It's like cutting through the layers of a gigantic history-and-archaeology flavoured cake! (This aspect of the tour is not led by Dark History Tours but by the Regensburg Museum authorities. Please note that a surcharge €65 of is payable. This is an extra-special tour, which must be booked at least at a week in advance. You will have a private tour, with an English-speaking expert from the museum to guide you).

Cost?

1 to 4 persons - €220
5 or more persons - Price on request

Notes:

Cost includes all transport to and from Regensburg, entry to Museum as well as your guide for the day. This does not include the special underground archaeology tour, for which an extra €65 is payable. Please note that we get charged exactly this for this extra - and unique - part of your tour. We don't charge our clients a booking fee or anything like that. The price of the special tour remains the same for up to 25 persons.

Take the tour in December and visit the beautiful Christmas market and sample local gingerbread and Glühwein (hot spiced wine punch).

Booking essential. For more details of this fascinating tour, please just ask.

   Learn about life and death on the edge of the Roman Empire......

.......and about the native peoples (and their dogs!)