Scots Church of St James, Regensburg

Stone beasts, human figures and, among them, twelve characters no one wanted in heaven: the Scots Portal of St James's Church on the western edge of Regensburg's old town has puzzled visitors for more than 800 years. It is considered one of Germany's most important Romanesque works of art, yet there are often only a handful of people in front of it. Behind it is a bright, austere basilica shaped over centuries by Irish and later Scottish monks.

History: wandering monks from Ireland

Around 1070, Irish pilgrim monks led by Marianus arrived in Regensburg and founded a small monastery outside the walls. As more followed, they laid the foundation stone of a larger monastery around 1090. That first building was so poorly built that it soon decayed; the present church, with its famous north portal, was completed around 1180 under Abbot Gregory. The Irish were popularly called "Scoti", hence the name Scots Church.

In 1515 Scottish Benedictines took over. Abbot Ninian Winzet, once confessor to Mary Queen of Scots, revived the monastery from 1577. It even survived secularisation in 1803 and was only dissolved around 1862. Since then St James has been the church of the Regensburg seminary, and since 2006 it has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

What to see

• Scots Portal: The portal wall is about 15 metres wide and 8 metres high. All that is certain is that it shows the Last Judgement, heaven and hell. The twelve figures represent despised people and trades such as pimps, criminals, jugglers, dancers, gluttons and idlers. The figures were probably once painted, partly gilded and set with gems.
• Glass enclosure: Since 1999 a glass structure has protected the fragile portal from the weather.
• Monk Rydan: Inside, to the right of the portal, is a relief of a monk holding a key, possibly the builder or the gatekeeper.
• Interior: A three-aisled basilica with a wooden coffered ceiling probably from 1647 and an organ from 1899.

Good to know

Bishop Ignatius von Senestrey, who founded the seminary here, is the only Regensburg bishop since Dalberg not buried in the cathedral. The church lies on the Way of St James, and pilgrims can get a stamp with a historic abbot's seal from 1700 at the seminary gate.

Opening hours (as of October 2026)

According to the tourist office the church is open daily 8:00–18:00. Avoid service times, including Sunday at 9:00. Guided tours can be booked through Regensburg Tourist Information.

Getting there

Jakobstraße 3, near Bismarckplatz on the western edge of the old town: about ten minutes on foot from the cathedral and 15 minutes from the main station.

Tripto tip

Allow 20 to 40 minutes and take your time at the portal; the details only reveal themselves on a second look. Then walk across the old town to Thurn und Taxis Palace, home of the Romantic Christmas Market in Advent.