Augsburg, the third largest city in Bavaria (after Munich and Nürnberg), lies north of the Lechfeld at the confluence of the Wertach and the Lech. This ancient and famous imperial city, home of the two great medieval merchant dynasties of the Fuggers and the Welsers, is now the chief town of the administrative region of Bavarian Swabia (Bayerisch-Schwaben).
In Roman times Augsburg was connected with Verona by the Via Claudia, and its favorable situation promoted the development of commerce and industry. Its present-day industries include large textile and engineering firms. The city has a very active cultural life, and the new University of Augsburg opened its doors in 1970. One of the most popular tourist routes in Germany, the Romantic Highway (Romantische Strasse) runs from the Main valley via Augsburg to Füssen on the Austrian frontier.
The Augsburg Cathedral (ninth-14th centuries) has bronze doors on the south aisle (11th C.) that have 35 relief panels. The five windows on the south side of the nave have the oldest figural stained glass in Germany, probably dating from before 1100. Four of the side altars have altarpieces by Hans Holbein the Elder.
The Maximilian Museum offers a vivid picture of the history, art and culture of Augsburg.
The two former patricians' houses, from the 16th century, house the museum. Exhibits at the Maximilian Museum include sculptures, work by local gold and silversmiths, and items from the town's history.
Schaezler-Palais in Augsburg is a Rococo mansion with a large banqueting hall, now housing the Municipal Art Collection (the German Baroque Gallery) and the State Gallery (early German masters, including Holbein the Elder, Hans Burgkmair the Elder and Albrecht Dürer). In front of the palace is the Hercules Fountain (by Adriaen de Vries, 1602).
St Ulrich's Minster (SS Ulrich and Afra; 1500; R.C.) in Augsburg forms an attractive architectural ensemble with the little St Ulrich's Church (1458; Protestant).
In the center of Augsburg stands the Town Hall (1615-20), a massive Renaissance building designed by the municipal architect, Elias Holl. Nearby are the 78 m/256ft high Perlachturm (panoramic views) and the Augustus Fountain (1589-94).
The Augsburg Collection of Municipal Art displays German Renaissance artwork from the 16th to 17th C. Notable artists include Cranach, Holbein and Dürer.
Address: Augsburg Collection of Municipal Art, Maximilianstrasse 46, D-86150 Augsburg, Germany
Fugger House (1512-15) in Augsburg is the town house of the Princes Fugger von Babenhausen, who rose in the 15th and 16th centuries from apprentice weavers to the world's wealthiest merchants (Damenhof, 1516).
The Fuggerei, a little "town within the town" in Augsburg, with its own four gates, was founded by the Fugger family in 1519 to provide homes for poor citizens of Augsburg. This is the oldest social housing scheme in the world, and the occupants still pay an annual rent of only one Rhenish guilder for a two and a half room house.
The International Mask-museum in Augsburg-Diedorf, Bavaria (Germany) features 3500 traditional and modern masks in real size from all countries and cultures.
There are 1300 masks collected in Europe, 1200 masks from Africa, 500 masks from the Americas, 500 masks from Asia, 150 masks from Oceania.
The annual two-week festival, Mozart Summer, runs from late August to early September and includes at least five performances of chamber music every year. Although Mozart is the main focus of the festival, chamber music by other famous musicians is also often performed. All the events take place in the Schaezler Mansion.
Address: Mozart Sommer, Böhm and Sohn Ludwigstrasse 15, D-86152 Augsburg, Germany
This annual two-month festival, Open-Air Stage at the Red Gate, runs from early June to late July and includes performances of over 20 different operas and operettas. The often sold-out performances are staged in the old fortification wall at the Red Gate.
Address: Freilichtbühne am Roten Tor, Kasernstrasse 4, D-86152 Augsburg, Germany
Tips: Tickets can be bought three months in advance.
Southeast of St Ulrich's Church rises the Rotes Tor (Red Gate), with a tower by Elias Holl (1622). Here there are two water towers, the Heilig-Geist-Hospital (1631), an open-air theater and a puppet theater, the Augsburger Puppenkiste.
The Roman Museum in Augsburg is housed in a former Dominican church (16th-18th C).
Augsburg was once the Roman provincial capital of Aelia Augusta. Displays at the Roman Museum include fragments of buildings and statues, household items including bronze tableware and cups.
St Anne's Church (14th-17th C; Protestant), with the Lutherhöfle, was visited by Luther in 1518. In the church can be seen the burial chapel of the Fugger family, the first considerable Renaissance work in Germany (1509-12).
Augsburg's Zoo has more than 1,500 animals and a beautiful Botanical Garden on the fringes of Siebentisch Forest.
The Zoo Augsburg is set on 55 acres with walkways that lead through a variety of habitats including ponds, meadows and tree groves. The Zoo also participates in 20 international breeding programs for endangered species.
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Town Hall, Augsburg
Augsburg Cathedral, Augsburg
Town Hall, Augsburg
Town Hall, Augsburg
Town Hall, Augsburg
Town Hall, Augsburg
Town Hall, Augsburg
