The Upper Palatinate changed hands numerous times throughout its history, though never leaving the Wittelsbach domain. Never at any point, though, did the region attain self-rule, and its development remains stunted. Today it is a land of castles, forests, and walled towns. The main sights here are the city of Regensburg and the Danube valley.
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The Upper Palatinate is a borderland on the Czech border primarily known for the city of Regensburg. The region is ethnically Bavarian but only came under the control of Bavaria in the 17th century. For most of its history, it was ruled from Heidelberg, far away in the Rhineland. The Imperial City of Regensburg was an independent city-state until the demise of the Holy Roman Empire. The contrast between the highly urban Imperial City and the rural undeveloped region demonstrates the weakness of rule from afar.
While the region is best known for the UNESCO Protected old town of Regensburg, the entire region offers a rich heritage collection. The old town of Amberg also has a remarkable collection of Gothic and Baroque monuments. The rural backcountry has much to offer with its countless castles and hidden forest vales. A trip through the Upper Palatinate might wander between isolated castle ruins and the tourist center of Regensburg.
