Today, we drove to Regensburg. Regensburg is one of Germany’s best-preserved medieval cities. It played a significant role in the Holy Roman Empire and was an important trade and political center. The old town is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Our tour guide was very enthusiastic and eager to share her extensive knowledge with us, making the tour quite lengthy. One thing that really stuck with me was when she mentioned that some houses have the presence of Jewish gravestone heads embedded within. This practice dates back to the Middle Ages when Jewish gravestones were repurposed during times of persecution and the destruction of Jewish cemeteries. This also highlights a long history of Jewish persecution in Europe, which culminated in the Holocaust.

During World War II, Regensburg was also significant as it housed important manufacturing facilities, including a Messerschmitt aircraft factory, which made it a target for Allied bombing raids. Despite all of this, a lot of the historical old town remained intact.

We had a bit of free time after, so some friends and I decided to grab food at an Italian restaurant. Afterward, we wandered around a bit more before heading to our meeting place to regroup with the rest of the group.

After Regensburg, we drove a little bit to a place called Walhalla. Walhalla was commissioned by King Ludwig I of Bavaria in the early 19th century and is modeled after the Parthenon in Athens. The hall honors distinguished figures in German history, such as Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Martin Luther, and Albert Einstein. It features busts and plaques commemorating scientists, writers, and leaders who have made significant contributions to German culture and history.