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This is a detailed bird's-eye view and city plan of Regensburg (Ratisbona) on the Danube River, from the middle of the 17th Century.
The plan provides a meticulous depiction of the city's layout during the mid-17th century, featuring its fortifications, street networks, and prominent architectural landmarks. The plan illustrates the city’s defensive structures, including bastions and walls, highlighting Regensburg’s strategic importance. Notable features include the Danube River running along the southern edge, with the iconic Stone Bridge (Steinerne Brücke) crossing it, connecting the main city to the suburb of Stadt am Hof. The map includes numbered references to key buildings and locations, such as churches, monasteries, and civic structures, which are identified in a legend at the bottom. Above the plan, a panoramic view of Regensburg offers a perspective of the city’s skyline, dominated by the spires of its many churches, including the Regensburg Cathedral (Dom St. Peter).
Regensburg, one of Germany's oldest cities, played a significant role in the Holy Roman Empire during the 17th century. It was a free imperial city, meaning it was subject directly to the emperor and enjoyed a degree of autonomy. Regensburg was a center of trade and commerce due to its strategic location on the Danube River, which facilitated connections with Eastern and Western Europe.
The 17th century was marked by turbulence for Regensburg, primarily due to the Thirty Years' War (1618–1648), which had devastating effects on many German cities. Although Regensburg itself was not extensively damaged, the war disrupted trade and brought economic challenges. In 1633, the city was briefly occupied by Swedish forces under King Gustavus Adolphus, further illustrating its strategic importance.
Following the war, Regensburg became the permanent seat of the Perpetual Diet of the Holy Roman Empire (Reichstag) in 1663, a role it maintained until the dissolution of the Empire in 1806. This development underscored Regensburg's political significance, as it hosted representatives from various imperial states and served as a hub for diplomatic and political activity.
Mathaus Merian (1593-1650) was the father of engraver Matthäus the Younger, and of the painter, engraver, and naturalist Maria Sibylla Merian. He was born in Basel, Switzerland and trained in engraving in Zurich. After a time in Nancy, Paris and Strasbourg, he settled in Frankfurt. While there, he worked for Johann Theodor de Bry, the publisher and son of the travel writer. In 1617, he married Maria Magdalena de Bry, Johann Theodor’s daughter. In 1623, Merian took over the de Bry publishing house upon the death of his father-in-law. Merian’s best known works are detailed town views which, due to their accuracy and artistry, form a valuable record of European urban life in the first half of the sixteenth century
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