Sightseeing in Augsburg Germany

Augsburg's Altstadt is where most of the best things to do can be found, like its stunning Rathausplatz, with Renaissance splendor adorning an ornate town hall and offering up numerous activities for you to do! South of this location lies the elegant Maximilianstrasse, lined by stately buildings such as Fuggerkapelle (remains of banker Jakob Fugger). Here, visitors can marvel at intricate Renaissance star vaults and patterns within a 93.5-meter nave.

St Ulrich’s and St Afra’s abbey

At the end of Maximilianstrasse stands two buildings which symbolize religious tolerance between Catholic and Protestant Christians in Southern Germany. They were originally the church and abbey of a large Benedictine monastery founded in the 11th century; later connected at right angles to comply with the terms of the Peace of Augsburg from 1555, which required imperial cities to allow both Roman Catholic and Lutheran churches to coexist peacefully side-by-side. As St Ulrich (923-73) flourished, both church and monastery flourished to their maximum splendour; his efforts raised the standard of training priests by reforming old schools and opening new ones. Canonical visitations were held regularly, while decrepit churches were renovated, charitable institutions founded, benevolent foundations established, invasions resisted against Hungarian invasions. City surrender to Emperor Ferdinand was forced through, and troops led towards victory on Lechfeld were won with great ease.

After the Reformation, church attendance began to decrease dramatically in London and environs. Followers of Martin Luther seized control of city council elections, suppressing many religious usages associated with church life; additionally, numerous monasteries and institutions closed due to increasing secularization of society. The Bishops who succeeded St Ulrich were unable to reverse this trend. There were brief respites under Bishop Walther II Count Palatine von Dillingen (1133-52) who reinstated diocese property; and Udalskalk (1184-1202), an influential patron of arts who promoted printing technology.

Time passed, and eventually the Benedictine monastery became secularized and part of Bavaria State in 1802. Today it is known as the Basilica of Saints Ulrich and Afra. Augsburg's visitors should take time to savor some of its local delicacies, such as plum cake Zwetschgendatschi; Bosna sausage served with hot sauce and onions in a bun; or Kasspatzen (literally cheese sparrows, although no actual birds are involved in their creation). For foodies looking for affordable dining options, typical Bavarian, Greek, Thai cuisine is all on offer here at Stadtmarkt or city market!

The Perlach Tower

Perlach Tower stands as an icon of Augsburg. Constructed as a watchtower in 989, it underwent several transformations over time until its current Renaissance structure was created by city master builder Elias Holl in 1612/1618 to match with nearby Town Hall; at this time, a pillar dome and onion roof were added. Perlach Tower can be easily distinguished from its golden hue, and reaching the top requires climbing 258 steps, not an easy task! But once at the top, you'll be rewarded with stunning views across Augsburg. Additionally, Augsburg hosts numerous museums worth visiting; one such is Maximilian Museum that exhibits artworks dating from the Middle Ages up to the modern era.

Augsburg offers many opportunities for relaxation and enjoyment of nature, from visiting the Botanical Gardens to strolling along Medieval canals. If that's not enough, check out Maximilian Street to see three Baroque fountains such as Augustus Fountain, Mercury Fountain and Hercules' Fountain to relax with nature and relax your senses. As a bustling university town, Augsburg provides plenty of recreational activities for young people to enjoy. Bars and clubs abound, as do cultural attractions that cater specifically to this demographic.

Visit the Golden Saal at the city's town hall for an exquisite ceremonial room, known for its colorful ceiling paintings and extensive gold wall decorations. Damaged during World War II but restored posthumously in 1985, its glory now nearly restored. Augsburg's history includes an important treaty known as the Peace of Augsburg that put an end to Catholicism versus Lutheranism religious battle in the Holy Roman Empire. Under the terms of this peace treaty, citizens were free to choose their preferred faith, or switch if desired by moving to a different state!

The Heilig-Geist-Spital

The Heilig-Geist-Spital is one of its premier tourist attractions and an enduring architectural masterpiece dating back to 8th century Germany. Reportedly home to some of Germany's oldest figurative glass paintings. Today it houses both Augsburg's bishopric as well as the Cathedral of Sacred Heart of Jesus church. Augsburg's old town offers a Mediterranean charm, free from traffic, making it the ideal spot for strolling and ambling around. Narrow streets and corners invite lingering, especially at small restaurants and cafés that serve delicious fare; plus there are tanneries, jewelry shops and galleries too! This part of the city was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status due to its historic water management system. This demonstrated how cities could utilize and control water efficiently from an early stage, even distinguishing drinking and floating water separately, an innovation at that time.

Augsburg was known for its powerful banking families and Jakob Fugger's creation of Fuggerei, which served as an “urban village.” This settlement provided affordable living solutions to poor citizens of Augsburg and became one of the largest social settlements in Europe. Walter Oehmichen and Rose Oehmichen founded the Augsburg Puppenkiste in 1948 at Heilig-Geist-Spital and have operated ever since. Producing theatrical adaptations of fairy tales as well as serious pieces such as Jim Knopf and Lukas the Lokomotivfuhrer, both of which achieved national renown. The Puppenkiste has also produced documentaries with both children and adults in mind, such as “Augusta Kasperlicorum” (2004) and Urmel and Jim's film focusing on Johann von Haydn (June 2006). In 2000, Puppenkiste moved to Kulturpark Rotes Tor and established a new theater hall there; furthermore, their existing theater has been renovated, seating 270 spectators in total.

The city market

The City Market in Augsburg offers an eclectic combination of modern, local, and international vendors. Situated near Rathausplatz in its center, there are over 100 shops and restaurants to be found there, perfect for souvenir shopping or taking a break from sightseeing! The market boasts an energetic atmosphere and provides the ideal venue for meeting with old acquaintances while discovering something new. There is an impressive variety of products for sale here, including fresh food. City markets provide the ideal setting to sample Bavarian cuisine, featuring both traditional dishes such as pretzels and more innovative fare such as dumplings or even vegetarian-friendly choices for everyone's enjoyment at this vibrant gathering place.

Augsburg may not be large, but its many attractions make for plenty of things to see and do. Its rich history can be seen reflected in its magnificent buildings and streets; cathedrals, spectacular churches, mansions all stand as testimony of Augsburg's former prosperity as an economic powerhouse. An elegant stroll through the old town is a wonderful way to discover its rich history, as the streets are lined with charming guild houses, exquisite churches and an historic town hall from all periods. By paying attention while strolling the cobbled lanes, you will witness how much has changed over time, while each period leaves its mark on its architecture.

At its height during the 16th century, when Augsburg was under Fugger control, it was considered one of Europe's most powerful cities. Soon thereafter, it emerged as the cultural capital of Southern Germany; today Augsburg enjoys an exceptional reputation for arts and culture. Mozart was born here, and its musical legacy is legendary. Additionally, you can gain more insight into Germany's past while discovering its rich history, making Salzburg an incredible day trip.