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Augsburgs Attractions & Sightseeing

Augsburgs Attractions & Sightseeing

Bavaria, Germany

Discovering Historical Landmarks

The Fuggerei is the world's oldest social housing complex, established in 1516 by Jakob Fugger "the Rich." This remarkable institution continues to render affordable housing for needy Catholic citizens of Augsburg, who pray daily for the Fugger family. It serves as a living historical testament to early social welfare initiatives and philanthropy.

The complex consists of narrow streets, small houses, and charming courtyards, giving a glimpse into centuries-old community life.

Fuggerei Visitor Information

  • The Fuggerei welcomes visitors daily. A small admission fee helps maintain the complex and its social purpose.
  • Your ticket includes access to a museum apartment furnished as it would have been historically, a historical bunker from WWII, and the small St. Mark's Church within the complex.
  • Visit early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the largest crowds, especially during peak season.
  • Remember that real people live here; be respectful of their privacy and homes. Keep noise levels down and avoid looking into private residences.

Architectural Highlights

Augsburg Town Hall Rathaus & Golden Hall

  • A masterpiece of Renaissance architecture, designed by Elias Holl and built between 1615 and 1620.
  • The Golden Hall is a lavishly decorated ceremonial hall, adorned with magnificent gold leaf, frescoes, and a coffered ceiling.
  • One of the most important cultural monuments of the late Renaissance in Germany.
  • The Golden Hall usually accepts visitors daily, except during private events. A small entrance fee applies.
  • Combine your visit with a climb up the adjacent Perlach Tower for superb panoramic views of the Rathaus roof.

Perlachturm Perlach Tower & Augsburg Cathedral

  • Perlach Tower: A medieval watchtower next to the Rathaus, offering panoramic views over Augsburg's rooftops and the surrounding landscape.
  • Perlach Tower operates seasonally, typically from April to October. A small admission fee applies.
  • Augsburg Cathedral: An impressive Romanesque and Gothic cathedral, one of the most important churches in Swabia.
  • It features impressive stained-glass windows, some dating back to the 11th century (among the oldest in the world).

The cathedral opens daily for visitors, offering free admission (donations are welcome). Access to certain areas may restrict during religious ceremonies.

Augsburg Water Management System

  • Recognized as an UNESCO World Heritage site in 2019, this system is a complex network.
  • It includes historic canals, innovative waterworks, numerous ornate fountains (Augustusbrunnen, Merkurbrunnen, Herkulesbrunnen), and early hydropower stations.
  • This system, developed from the Middle Ages onwards, demonstrates groundbreaking water engineering that delivered drinking water, powered industries, and managed waste.
  • Information points and guided tours focusing on the water system are available from the Augsburg Tourist Information office.

St. Ulrich and Afra Basilica

  • Dominant Skyline Feature

    This impressive late Gothic church dominates Augsburg's skyline with its towering spires.

  • Artistic and Architectural Grandeur

    It is renowned for its magnificent Renaissance altars, baroque chapels, and the crypts containing the tombs of St. Afra and St. Ulrich, two of Augsburg's patron saints.

  • Spanning Centuries of Style

    The church showcases artistic and architectural styles spanning several centuries, marking it as a significant historical site.

  • Historical Importance

Cultural Institutions & Museums

Augsburg’s museums and cultural institutions reveal its diverse history, art, and industrial heritage.

Exploring Augsburg's Rich Collections

  • Fugger and Welser Experience Museum

    This interactive museum presents a journey into the lives and global trade networks of the Fugger and Welser families, Augsburg's two most powerful merchant dynasties during the Renaissance. Multimedia exhibits and historical artifacts detail their influence.

  • Mozarthaus Augsburg

    This house marks the birthplace of Leopold Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's father. The museum explores the Mozart family's musical heritage and their strong connection to Augsburg. You can view historical instruments and understand Leopold's influence.

  • Textile and Industry Museum (tim)

    Housed in a restored former spinning mill, the tim museum showcases Augsburg's rich textile history and industrial heritage. Augsburg was a major textile center, and this museum details the industry's evolution. It features working machinery and fashion exhibits.

  • Maximilianmuseum

    Augsburg's city museum, the Maximilianmuseum, features a collection of art, cultural history, and archaeological finds from the city and region. It includes impressive sculptures, gold and silver work, and Renaissance craftsmanship unique to Augsburg.

  • Schaezlerpalais

    An opulent Rococo palace, the Schaezlerpalais houses the German Baroque Gallery, the State Gallery (with German masters' works), and European art. The palace itself is a work of art, with a grand ballroom. Exhibits from the Roman Museum are temporarily displayed in the Zeughaus.

Augsburg Old Town

Wander through cobblestone streets, discover hidden courtyards, and admire centuries-old buildings. The area around Rathausplatz and Maximilianstraße offers a rich historical atmosphere.

City Walls and Towers

Explore the remains of Augsburg's medieval city fortifications. Sections of the old city walls and several towers, like the Fünfgratturm, convey a sense of the city's former defenses.

Synagoge Augsburg

A magnificent Art Nouveau synagogue, rebuilt after WWII. It functions as an active place of worship and houses a Jewish cultural museum. Its striking architecture and powerful history make it a meaningful site.

Important Historical Sites

Augsburg's long history contains numerous historical sites, offering glimpses into its Roman, medieval, and Renaissance past.

  • The area around Rathausplatz, the grand Maximilianstraße, and the picturesque Lechviertel offers a rich historical atmosphere.
  • St. Ulrich and Afra Basilica: This impressive church dominates Augsburg's skyline with its towering spires, known for magnificent Renaissance altars and crypts of patron saints.
  • Brechthaus: The birthplace of renowned playwright Bertolt Brecht. Now a museum, it documents his early life, his connection to Augsburg, and the beginnings of his influential work.

Green Retreats & Natural Beauty

Augsburg presents green spaces and natural beauty for relaxation and recreation, contrasting with its historic urban core.

Augsburg Botanical Garden

A beautiful and diverse garden, featuring themed sections including a Japanese garden, a rose garden, and various greenhouses. It displays a wide array of plant species and a tranquil escape within the city.

Siebentischwald Siebentisch Forest

Directly south of Augsburg, the Siebentischwald is a large, protected forest area. It serves as a popular spot for walking, jogging, and cycling on its well-maintained paths. This forest plays a role in Augsburg's water supply system.

Lech & Wertach Rivers, Stempflesee

The rivers themselves and their surrounding floodplains offer pleasant walking and cycling paths. These areas present natural beauty, opportunities for birdwatching, and a peaceful environment for outdoor activity. Stempflesee is a picturesque lake within the Siebentischwald, popular for picnics and strolls.

Augsburg's Lesser-Known Charms

Elias Holl-Platz

This charming square, named after the city’s famous Renaissance architect, often remains overlooked. It is a pleasant, quiet space to relax and appreciate surrounding historic buildings.

Heilig-Geist-Spital Holy Ghost Hospital

A beautiful historic building complex with a lovely inner courtyard, near the Fuggerei. This former hospital offers a peaceful ambiance and impressive architecture, often a quiet respite.

Die Kahnfahrt im Wittelsbacher Park

A small, picturesque pond within the Wittelsbacher Park. In summer, you can rent rowboats here, a favorite local activity for a relaxing afternoon on the water. It presents a peaceful retreat.

Goldener Saal's "Lower Hall"

Many visitors ascend only to the magnificent Golden Hall in the Town Hall. Take time to explore the lower floors of the Rathaus, which contain other interesting historical rooms and exhibits, often with fewer crowds.

Puppenkiste Museum Die Kiste

While the "Augsburger Puppenkiste" (marionette theater) is famous, its small museum, "Die Kiste," offers a nostalgic and charming look at the beloved puppets and their history. It delivers a delightful experience for both children and adults.

Augsburg's Historical Depth

The city's past as a Roman settlement and a powerful medieval trading hub is visible throughout its streets and buildings.

Architectural Highlights

  • Roman remains are sparsely scattered, but their legacy shapes the city's early development.
  • Medieval and Renaissance architecture dominates the Old Town, reflecting centuries of prosperity.
  • The layout of the city center itself is a testament to its long history.

Beyond the Main Attractions

Beyond the major landmarks, small churches, and historical plaques throughout the city reveal layers of Augsburg's story.

Exploring Local Narratives

  • Consider a self-guided walking tour to discover these less-traveled historical spots.
  • Local guidebooks often detail these smaller, but significant, historical points of interest.
  • Look for information panels that describe the history of specific buildings or areas.

Helpful Tip for Sightseeing

Many of Augsburg's historical buildings are best appreciated on foot. Wear comfortable shoes and allow yourself to wander off the main streets.

This allows discovery of hidden courtyards and architectural details not visible from the main routes.