The Via Regia - in the past and today

The ”Via Regia” is the name generally given to the historical road connection between Paris and Kiev which, in the section between Frankfurt am Main and Wrocław, is known as the ”Hohe Straße”(high road). Of course, many roads have been given this name over the years, however few can claim such a comparable historical continuity.

For many centuries, the Via Regia has been a corridor of European ranking with overriding economic, cultural, political and military importance. Whether as a road for marching armies, a pilgrims´ way or a trading route – the Via Regia determined the lives of those within its sphere of influence. People, merchandise and information were transported along it – but also weapons and diseases. There were dangers and obstacles to be overcome and highwaymen and customs officers took their toll.

Its appearance has often changed with time – from a better path without a hard surface, to a characteristically medieval road and finally to the rail and trunk road connections of the Pan-European Transport Corridor III. The same applies to its exact route which was influenced by economic and political changes as well as elemental events and technological developments. The features which remained constant over long periods were those which had been decreed by nature such as river crossings and mountain passes.

Today, in a time where traffic and information routes have long since begun to obey other laws, and where the nature of travel has fundamentally changed, what remains of the Via Regia is above all the idea of the cultural exchange and understanding between different nations in an opening Europe. Also, the Via Regia still flourishes in the cities which it has connected with each other and in the hiking and pilgrims´ ways used for recreation and meditation.