Augsburg, Germany

Augsburg Germany

Augsburg is a charming city of about 266,000 people in the German federal state of Bavaria. It was founded as “Augusta Vindelicorum”. From the 13th century, Augsburg was a free imperial city, and in the 15th and 16th centuries it developed into an important commercial centre in Europe. Emperor Maximilian I held the Reichstag of Augsburg here. The city became a major centre of fine art, and its output – from silversmithing and printing to scientific innovation – was renowned around the world. Augsburg’s architecture is strongly shaped by the city architect Elias Holl, who designed many of its public buildings, including the city hall, the former slaughterhouse, the Red Gate and the armoury. Key sights in Augsburg include: • Bertolt Brecht Haus – the birthplace of the writer Bertolt Brecht. • The Fuggerei – the world’s oldest social housing estate, founded in 1516. Around 160 people still live here; rent for a flat is only one euro per year. • Fugger Stadtpalast – a 16th‑century Renaissance palace that was once the residence of Jakob Fugger. • Maximilian Museum – with exhibitions on many aspects of Augsburg’s history and culture. • Rathaus (City Hall) – built in the 17th century by Elias Holl, one of the city’s landmark buildings. • Römisches Museum – housing Roman finds from Augsburg and the surrounding area, located in the 16th‑century church of St Magdalena. • Schaezlerpalais – an impressive palace with collections of Baroque and Rococo art. • Mozarthaus – the birthplace of Leopold Mozart. Today it contains an engaging museum dedicated to Leopold and his son, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Recommended airport
Franz Josef Strauss München (MUC)
Nearby destinations
  • LEGOLAND® Deutschland a 44.64 km
  • Dachau a 41.31 km
  • Bad Wörishofen a 45.47 km