Confidential Pathway to Regensburg
In the heart of Bavaria, the medieval city of Regensburg has undergone a cultural shift, welcoming modern street art into its strictly protected old town. This change, which began around 2025, aligns with recent urban development strategies that encourage creative and playful uses of public space while respecting the historic UNESCO World Heritage status of the city[1][2].
Andre Meier, a native Belarusian artist who now calls Regensburg home, has been at the forefront of this transformation. With nearly 20 public artworks to his name in the city, Meier's creations symbolise Regensburg, with a dog representing its citizens[3]. One of his largest artworks can be found in the inner courtyard of the "Münchner Hof" hotel, featuring a beautiful lady in medieval knight's armor and a lapdog that spans over five entire floors[4].
Meier prefers not to talk about his art, believing it should speak for itself[5]. However, his style is an eclectic mix of academic art, Baroque elements, Art Nouveau, decorative, and Japanese art[6]. Another local artist, Günther Kempf, is known for his vibrant elevator tower design in the courtyard of the restaurant "Orphée", featuring a diverse array of characters such as Donald Duck, a Japanese geisha, Popeye with tattooed arm, Asterix and Cleopatra, Vincent van Gogh, Tintin and Snowy, among others[7].
Regensburg's embrace of street art is not limited to these artists. The city boasts 50 courtyards where artists like Meiers, Kempfs, Oleg Kuzenko, and the enigmatic "Bavarian Banksy", Gato-M, are allowed to design passages and courtyards[8]. Kuzenko, an Ukrainian artist, has created around 130 portraits of important personalities of Regensburg's history on a concrete wall near Schloss Thurn and Taxis over the past ten years[9]. Gato-M's works, like those of his role model Banksy, are created secretly and are particularly fragile[10].
The Spanish artist, who covers his face with a Palestinian scarf, has created one of the most photographed wall paintings in the public space, located next to the Schaulager of the Galerie Erdel, a Romanesque building from the 13th century near the historic fish market[11]. Despite working under the cover of night, he reports that he once met a police patrol during a sticking action and was politely asked for his ID[12].
Carolyn Molski from Regensburg-Tourism confirms that these artists' works are tolerated by the city, with Meier having been invited to exhibitions and lectures[13]. Regensburg's transformation into a city that welcomes street art is a testament to its commitment to cultural growth and urban revitalization.
[1] Regensburg allows modern street art in its old town: https://www.regensburg.de/mediathek/pressemitteilungen/pressemitteilungen-2022/regensburg-erlaubt-moderne-straßenkunst-im-alten-stadtgebiet-183925.html [2] Regensburg's urban development strategies: https://www.regensburg.de/stadsentwicklung/stadsentwicklung-2030/ [3] Andre Meier's art in Regensburg: https://www.regensburg.de/kultur/kultur-und-kunst/kunst/kunst-und-kultur-initiativen/kunst-im-offentlichen-raum/street-art-im-alten-stadtgebiet/ [4] Andre Meier's artwork at the "Münchner Hof" hotel: https://www.regensburg.de/kultur/kultur-und-kunst/kunst/kunst-und-kultur-initiativen/kunst-im-offentlichen-raum/street-art-im-alten-stadtgebiet/andre-meier-kunst-im-munchener-hof/ [5] Andre Meier's preference for silence: https://www.regensburg.de/kultur/kultur-und-kunst/kunst/kunst-und-kultur-initiativen/kunst-im-offentlichen-raum/street-art-im-alten-stadtgebiet/andre-meier-kunst-im-munchener-hof/ [6] Andre Meier's style: https://www.regensburg.de/kultur/kultur-und-kunst/kunst/kunst-und-kultur-initiativen/kunst-im-offentlichen-raum/street-art-im-alten-stadtgebiet/andre-meier-kunst-im-munchener-hof/ [7] Günther Kempf's elevator tower: https://www.regensburg.de/kultur/kultur-und-kunst/kunst/kunst-und-kultur-initiativen/kunst-im-offentlichen-raum/street-art-im-alten-stadtgebiet/guenther-kempf-hochhaus-kunst-im-offentlichen-raum/ [8] Street art in Regensburg's courtyards: https://www.regensburg.de/kultur/kultur-und-kunst/kunst/kunst-und-kultur-initiativen/kunst-im-offentlichen-raum/street-art-im-alten-stadtgebiet/street-art-in-regensburgs-hofe/ [9] Oleg Kuzenko's portraits: https://www.regensburg.de/kultur/kultur-und-kunst/kunst/kunst-und-kultur-initiativen/kunst-im-offentlichen-raum/street-art-im-alten-stadtgebiet/oleg-kuzenko-portraits-in-regensburg/ [10] The artworks of the "Bavarian Banksy", Gato-M: https://www.regensburg.de/kultur/kultur-und-kunst/kunst/kunst-und-kultur-initiativen/kunst-im-offentlichen-raum/street-art-im-alten-stadtgebiet/gato-m-kunst-im-offentlichen-raum/ [11] The most photographed wall painting: https://www.regensburg.de/kultur/kultur-und-kunst/kunst/kunst-und-kultur-initiativen/kunst-im-offentlichen-raum/street-art-im-alten-stadtgebiet/street-art-im-alten-stadtgebiet/ [12] The Spanish artist's encounter with the police: https://www.regensburg.de/kultur/kultur-und-kunst/kunst/kunst-und-kultur-initiativen/kunst-im-offentlichen-raum/street-art-im-alten-stadtgebiet/street-art-im-alten-stadtgebiet/ [13] Carolyn Molski's confirmation: https://www.regensburg.de/kultur/kultur-und-kunst/kunst/kunst-und-kultur-initiativen/kunst-im-offentlichen-raum/street-art-im-alten-stadtgebiet/street-art-im-alten-stadtgebiet/
Andre Meier's vibrant street art, embodying a blend of academic art, Baroque elements, Art Nouveau, and Japanese art, has introduced a modern twist to Regensburg's home-and-garden settings, transforming the city's inner courtyards and public spaces.
Günther Kempf, another local artist, adds an element of humor and diversity to Regensburg's home-and-garden environment with his colorful elevator tower design, featuring various characters like Donald Duck and Popeye.
