RATISBON or REGENSBURG, an ancient city of Ger many, in the kingdom of Bavaria, is situated on the south bank of the Danube, opposite to the mouth of the river Regen. It is large and populous, and built of stone, but the streets are crooked and narrow, and the houses lofty and old-fashioned. The cathedral, which is one of the best of its public buildings, is a large Gothic edifice, built in 1400. The church and abbey of St. Einmeran, which is like a small town, contains some good paintings, and also a mathematical and physical cabinet. The town-house is an old and uninteresting building. Besides these buildings, we may enumerate the palace of the Prince of Tourand Taxis, in which there is a good library open to the public ; the church of the Trinity, the Scottish church and convent, and its library; the building of the Jesuits' College, the arsenal, and the Haidplatz. There are also several hospitals in Ratisbon, two public libraries, a botanical society, and a public drawing-school. A bridge over the Danube, of fifteen arches and 1091 feet long, forms a communication between the city and the suburb of Stadt-am-hof.
Ratisbon has few manufactures, and very little trade. The principal manufactures are those of linens, lace, silk and worsted stockings, and needles. The fire-arms of Kugelreuth, particularly his pistols, are greatly admired. Wood, provisions, corn, and salt, are sent down the Danube to Vienna. There are several breweries and distilleries in the town, and dockyards for building boats and small craft. There are also here some saw-mills driven by water. The hydromel of Ratisbon is in great request, and a considerable quantity of it is exported. The two annual fairs of St. George and St. Michael are well attended. The chief promenades are, the alley of the Prince of Taxis, the high and the low \Vcorth, and the Lime Trees. The inhabitants, who are principally Catholics, are computed at 24,000. East long. 12° 4' 30"; North lat. 49° 0' 53".