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Latest Augsburg hotel reviews
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Jacob Fugger the Rich founded the settlement named Fuggerei in 1521 to give poor Augsburg citizens cheap housing and a chance for a better life. That makes it the oldest social housing project in the world. The 67 buildings of the Fuggerei still serve for the same purpose today.
Three conditions have to be fulfilled to be accepted as inhabitant: The candidate has to be needy, catholic, and have a flawless reputation. The rent is still the same as in the 16th century, the equivalent of one Rhenish guilder per year(!), in those times this was about the income a craftsman earned in one week. In today's currency, this sums up to 88 Euro cents excluding heating.
Besides, each inhabitant is obliged to say three prayers per day for the founders and the Fugger family. Given the catholic faith and piety of the 16th century, this was the most important part of the agreement for the founder: securing continuous prayer for the salvation of his own soul after his death as well as those of his defunct family members.
The Fuggerei is like a little town of its own, with walls and gates, its own church and administration. The settlement is still administered by a committee which consists of members of the Fugger family's three remaining lines.
The seven lanes of the settlement with their uniform yellow houses, most of them covered with vines, the little gardens along the back side, fountains, a small park form an ensemble with cosy flair.
In Ochsengasse 51, one model apartment, fully furnitured but uninhabited, can be visited to see how people live in these houses today. Otherwise, please respect the privacy of the inhabitants who have to cope with tourist crowds every day.
The museum in the house Mittlere Gasse 13 (see separate tip) contains the only originally preserved 16th century apartment.
More pictures on the Fuggerei travelogue page.
Written Sep 1, 2008
Address: Entrance from Jakoberstraße
Website: http://www.fugger.de
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The Rathaus (City hall) is another masterpiece of Elias Hall, dated 1615-20. The gable bears the symbol of the city, the seed of Pinus cembra (it's on the very top).
On this side of the Rathaus lived patricians, while on the opposite side lived workers; the Rathaus is higher on the side of workers (there is a descent from Rathausplatz) to mean they were more noble than patricians.
Do you found this monument very beautiful? Well, hold your breath and go inside (i.e. move to the next tip).
Updated Sep 20, 2007
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The main room of the Rathaus and it is called Goldener Saal ("Golden room"). Can you imagine why? The admission fee is around 3 euro for adults and something fewer for students. Photos are allowed but without flash.
Written Sep 20, 2007
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Rathausplatz ("City hall square") is tha main square of Augsburg. There are many beautiful building, first of all the city hall (Rathaus) and the Perlachturm.
I liked this square very much, but it was a bit sad to remark that it was never so full of people as Italian or French squares usually are: I was told that Germans are not used to meet outside.
It's very easy to get there: lines 1 and 2 of the tram network cross at Rathausplatz.
I took these photos from the top of the Perlachturm.
Written Sep 19, 2007
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This tower was constructed in 1618 by famous Augsburger architect Elias Holl. It is 70 metres high and it is located on the façade of Sankt-Peter-Kirche, close to the Rathaus (city hall).
I recommend you'd go to the top of the tower: it is not very hard and you can enjoy a wonderful panorama from above. You will enter from the small door in the second photo: mind your head!
When you arrive at the top, you will have to pay in order to enjoy the panorama, but the fee is low (I think 2 euro for adults and 1 for students).
In the third photo you see the bells of the tower.
Updated Sep 19, 2007
Address: Maximilianstrasse
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Hoher Dom (High Cathedral) is the most important Catholic church of Augsburg.
Its most characteristic features are the absence of a façade and the presence of two choirs.
It was founded in the 10th century and then built in Romanesque style; it was enlarged and transformed into a Gothic church in the 14th century. That is why there are a Romanic and a Gothic portal (the second being far richer) and two distinct parts in the interior, too.
The main picture was taken from the top of the Perlachturm (see tip further on).
Updated Sep 19, 2007
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The Fuggerei is said to be the first working-class neighbourhood of the world, since Jakob Fugger the Rich built it in 1519-25. It consists of 67 two-storied houses where could live only poor citizens, who had to be Catholic, to pray every day for the Fuggers and to go back home before 10 pm, otherwise they were fined. The owner of these houses still pay the same rent as in the 16th century, i.e. around 1 euro.
At the entry to the Fuggerei you find the "tube" (how can I call it?) you see in the second photo. You are expected to make an offering to help people to always keep the Fuggerei in order.
The main source of profit of the residents is, actually, tourism. If you donate even few money, you will help them to keep tradition alive.
Updated Sep 19, 2007
Address: Jakoberstrasse
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The other main church in Augsburg is directly south of the Dom along the broad Maximillianstrasse, a long avenue of fine buildings and fountains. The basilica's towers topped by onion domes beckon from Ulrichsplatz.
For centuries the basilica was the more important of the two great churches, serving as the burial place of most of the local bishops until a Benedictine monastery was established on the site in 1012. Afra was a Christian martyr persecuted by the Roman Emperor Diocletian, whilst Ulrich was a local bishop. After Ulrich's canonisation, the Benedictines arrived to build their monastery here to protect the saints' graves (and to profit from the pilgrims visiting them).
The monastery was bombed in WWII and an administrative building for the diocese was built on the site in the 1970s. The basilica itself is said to have had been built and rebuilt about four times, with the Gothic building which stands now dating from the 1500s. The interior was highly decorated in a baroque style for its 700th anniversary in the early 1700s. This explains the ornate confessionals, benches and gratings which are worth a look.
Updated Sep 6, 2007
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There are two churches, both named Ulrich and Afra. One is Roman Catholic, the other Lutheran-the duality is a result of "Peace Treaty in Augsburg" which was concluded in 1555 between Catholics and Protestants.
The construction of the larger church began in 1474 just near the abbey church of the Benedictine monks. Choir with three massive altars and the Crucifixion altar were completed in 16th/17th century. Impressive onion-domed tower is 93 m high.
Late gothic basilica is richly appointed in Renaissance and Baroque styles. There are an elaborate wrought-iron grille, numerous works of art, and the burial vaults of Augsburg's patron saints Afra, Ulrich and Simpert.
Updated Mar 21, 2007
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The most known view of Augsburg which always you can see in guidebooks is the view at the Hall Town square (Rathausplatz), the Town hall (Rathaus) and the Perlachturm tower.
There is a viewing platform under the dome of 70-th the meter tower - Perlahturm, whence since May till the middle of October it is possible to watch the Old city from above.
The building of Perlachturm is magnificent.
Updated Mar 21, 2007
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