Basilica of the Nativity of Our Lady, Regensburg

The Basilica of the Nativity of Our Lady, affectionately known as the Old Chapel is one of Regensburg’s most cherished sacred landmarks and a cornerstone of Bavarian faith. Its story stretches back to the 9th century, when Emperor Louis the German, Charlemagne’s grandson, is said to have built a small chapel on the site to honor the Virgin Mary. Local legend adds an even more mystical touch—centuries later, Emperor Henry II reportedly had a vision of the Virgin herself, urging him to expand the sanctuary. He obeyed, and from that moment, the chapel became one of Bavaria’s most revered pilgrimage sites.

Though wars and fires repeatedly tested it, the Old Chapel always rose again, each restoration adding new layers of beauty and meaning. The current baroque splendor dates largely from the 18th century, when the celebrated Asam brothers filled its interior with gilded stucco and radiant frescoes, creating one of the most dazzling Rococo spaces in Europe. Standing beneath its luminous ceiling, it’s easy to imagine why locals once said the chapel “shines like heaven itself.”

According to another tale, the basilica was built atop the remains of a Roman temple to Juno, symbolizing Christianity’s triumph over the ancient world—a poetic nod to Regensburg’s deep historical roots. Inside, the revered statue of Our Lady, Patroness of Bavaria continues to draw pilgrims and admirers alike. In 1964, Pope Paul VI elevated the Old Chapel to basilica status, sealing its place as both a living monument of devotion and one of Bavaria’s true treasures.