Regensburg, seat of the Imperial Diet

In Regensburg's old town hall, dating from the 13th century, are the rooms occupied by the Imperial Diet of the Holy Roman Empire. In earlier years the Diet was held in rotation by in several towns: most conspicuous was Nuremberg, a town considered to be the most significant in the Empire.

During the period from 1663 to 1806, when the Empire was dissolved by Napoleon, the "Perpetual Diet" was held here in Regensburg. The imperial assembly hall appears in the photo, with a copper engraving of the 1653 sitting. In the engraving can be a raised dais of one step to either side, and daises of two and three steps at the rear. The highest was of course reserved for the Emperor, the height of the seating in the hall reflecting the ranks of those in attendance.

Regensburg is an impressive town, and provided our first encounter on this trip with the river Danube.