Porta Praetoria (Praetorian Gate), Regensburg

The Praetorian Gate is Regensburg’s oldest surviving witness to its Roman beginnings and one of the oldest stone structures in Germany. Built in 179 AD under Emperor Marcus Aurelius, it once formed the northern gate of Castra Regina—“the Fortress by the River Regen”—the Roman stronghold guarding the empire’s frontier along the Danube. Through this gateway marched the soldiers of the Third Legion, sent to defend Rome’s borders and control vital trade routes.

They say that when Frankish king Charlemagne passed through Regensburg centuries later, he marveled at the gate’s stones, already weathered with age, recognizing it as a remnant of the empire that had once ruled Europe. Today, those same limestone blocks, marked by Latin inscriptions and centuries of wear, still hold their place—embedded in medieval walls, half-hidden among shops and cafés along Unter den Schwibbögen Street. It’s easy to miss at first glance, but once noticed, it draws you into a moment of quiet awe.

Standing beneath the arch, visitors can almost hear the rhythm of Roman footsteps, the clatter of armor, and the calls of soldiers heading toward the Danube. The Praetorian Gate has seen nearly two millennia of change—wars, merchants, emperors, and tourists—yet it endures, a silent sentinel watching the city evolve around it. More than a ruin, it’s a meeting point between eras, where Regensburg’s ancient past still breathes within its modern streets.