Straubing Tour: History and Stories

A stroll from the pier to the historic center of Straubing is a journey into the past in the midst of a lively present. History and stories are combined with centuries-old buildings, streets and plazas. The Ducal Castle on the Danube boasts one of the largest medieval banquet halls in Germany and was the scene of a medieval romantic tragedy about a woman named Agnes Bernauer. She herself came from a humble background and her marriage to the duke's son Albrecht III was her undoing. She was drowned in the Danube near Straubing on October 12, 1435.

Passing the magnificent baroque Ursuline Church and the monumental Carmelite Monastery Church, we come to the birthplace of Emanuel Schikaneder, who wrote the libretto to Mozart's "Magic Flute." We then go to the birthplace of Joseph von Fraunhofer on the Fraunhoferstrasse. His rise from poor orphan boy to become a renowned physicist and astronomer of the 19th century resembles a fairy tale.
It is only a few steps to the town square, the approximately 600 meter long market street with the town tower, Straubing's landmark, at its center. The facades of the stately houses are like an illustrated book of styles. It is a place for shopping and spending time, a pedestrian area and a memorial square. Ulrich Schmidl, a co-discoverer of the La Plata regions and co-founder of Buenos Aires in the 16th century, as well as the compiler of a famous chronicle of New World experiences, was born here.

One of Bavaria's most important grain markets used to be located around the baroque Holy Trinity Column on the western square. From there, an alley leads to Straubing's main church, the minor papal basilica St. Jakob. It is one of the largest and most important Brick Gothic churches in southern Germany. The colorful Moses window depicting the giving down of the Ten Commandments stands out among the numerous outstanding pieces of art from the past six centuries. The design is by none other than Albrecht Dürer, the "emperor" of all German artists.
The route back to the ship follows a green avenue along the Hagen, the scene of Bavaria's second largest folk festival in August.

The Experience
A narrated walk ship to town with historic highlight stops (Ducal Castle / Ursuline Church / Gäuboden Museum / Marketsquare architecture / City-Hall & Tower - all outside, sneak visit city model), daily life & culinary highlights: green market with seasonal offers, traditional crafts & people: sneak visit to traditional custome store Markgraf.