Thurn and Taxis, the Prince of Mail Delivery

Thurn and Taxis is, oddly enough, a family name. The Thurn and Taxis family created a postal delivery system in the 16th century. It was so successful and efficient that it spread from Regensburg through all of Germany, and soon on to a very large percentage of Europe; into Spain, France, and several other countries. In fact, the family ended up being granted royalty status at the level of Prince, no less, and became very wealthy. Thurn and Taxis has a living prince in Regensburg today, although he has no authority to any throne, in fact the family has had a princeship but has never been in line for a throne.  They must have been better than the US Mail, who could be granted the Earl of Losing Stuff. I'm not in line for any thrones either. I would like to be known henceforth as the "Duke of Travel" please. Thurn and Taxis was a short walk from our hotel and the Cathedral. The Hotel Kaiserhof am Dom and the Cathedral were also great highlights of the trip to Regensburg.

The Thurn and Taxis family has been philanthropistic to Regensburg. They built a beautiful park for the city during the 16th century that is still very active today. It is a long, beautiful park with a lot of water fountains, flower, trees and nice wide walkways. It was busy and peaceful every time we went to it. Members of the family are still living in the Thurn and Taxis castle and are still very wealthy.

Their odd last name being comprised of three separate words is from strange adaptations of a formerly French name into German. If the tour of Thurn and Taxis is not enough for you, you can also buy the board game on Amazon. I know you and the kids have been dying for a board game about medieval mailmen, so here it is, just in time for Christmas.  Next time you see your letter carrier, try to imagine him or her in chain link (instead of their underwear like you usually do.)  But seriously, I am actually going to buy it. One of my favorite board games of all times (and I am a huge gamer) is the Settlers of Catan, which was invented by a German.

   

I for one will never begrudge a family wealth when they give back to the community in such meaningful ways. I volunteer for the opportunity to be a philanthropist billionaire, and will gladly apply and interview. I think if every billionaire in this world would be a philanthropist, the world would be a much better place, and people would have better lives. The Thurn and Taxis castle also has an interesting story. It was actually an old monastery; St. Emmeram's. St. Emmeram's monastery, a Benedict monastery founded in 739 at the grave of Saint Emmeram.  The monastery was an early major Christian and theological library by the 13th century. In 1812, the monastery was dissolved and the family bought St. Emmeram's Monastery. It was henceforward referred to as the Thurn and Taxis Castle although it is not at all a castle in a classical sense; it is more of a palace. It is an old monastery with extensive buildings and grounds converted into a palace. Medieval Christianity is rich in this city.  We saw several gorgeous ancient churches dating back many centuries and even a few that were established over a millennia ago. In fact, we stayed across the street from the centerpiece of the town, St. Peter's. It can be seen from any point on the riverfront, and most if not all of the old downtown.

Thurn and Taxis Castle

Thurn and Taxis Castle

St.Peter's Cathedral is the big church that you see in all the downtown photos of Regensburg. It is the biggest focal point of the city. The church started around 700 AD and was built on the north wall of the Roman fort that started Regensburg. Like so many medieval churches, this one went through many upgrades and additions, fires and repairs. Baroque renovations occurred in the 17th century. From 1828 to 1841 the cathedral went through Neo-Gothic renovations by order of King Ludwig I of Bavaria. The towers and their spires were built from 1859 to 1869. The building was completed in 1872 and took close to 600 years for completion.  (I also have a few home repair projects that are likely to take me that long at the rate I am going.) Standing next to the church is overwhelming. This massive Gothic structure does not convey it's overbearing omnipresence sufficiently in pictures. The courtyard and road that encircles the church are lively and active 24 hours per day. It is one of the major focuses of the old medieval city.

The Hotel Kaiserhofam Dom is right across from St. Peter's. "Am Dom" means "at the Cathedral."  It is a short walk from the hotel many beautiful Platzen (plural for courtyards), including the most famous, the Platz by the Rathaus (town hall). Personally, I was especially appreciative of Petra, a nice woman at the desk with whom we had a very nice conversation about healthcare in America vs. Germany. The service at the hotel was outstanding. The staff were all consistently friendly and competent. I would stay there again in a heartbeat.