City Hall Square
Rathausplatz

Rathausplatz is Augsburg’s central square in front of the city hall and has been a city gathering point since the Middle Ages. As early as the 12th century, the market square was located in front of the first town hall, and for centuries the square was used for weekly markets, religious processions, council elections and public announcements. The square also served as a place for open-air trials, where sentences and punishments were carried out.

From the 16th century, the function and design of the square changed in line with Augsburg’s role as one of Europe’s most important trading and financial cities. The merchant families Fugger and Welser had their offices and mansions in the area around Rathausplatz, and the square became the center of the city’s representation. During imperial Diets and other state events in the 16th and 17th centuries, the square was used for ceremonies, processions and military parades.

The square is bordered to the east by the Augsburger Rathaus, built by Elias Holl in the years 1615–1624, and to the northeast by the Perlachturm, a tower originally built as a watchtower in the 10th century and raised in 1614. Around the square are burgher houses and patrician palaces from the Renaissance and Baroque, which testify to the city’s prosperity in the early modern period.

In the middle of the square stands the Augustusbrunnen, a fountain built in 1589–1594 by the sculptor Hubert Gerhard at the initiative of the city council. The fountain shows a bronze statue of Emperor Augustus, the city’s mythical founder, surrounded by four figures symbolizing the Lech, Wertach, Singold and Brunnenbach, which are the watercourses that supply the city. The Augustus Fountain is the oldest and best known of Augsburg’s three great Renaissance fountains, which also include the Mercury Fountain (1596–1599) and the Hercules Fountain (1597–1602).

Augsburg City Hall and the Golden Hall
Augsburger Rathaus und Goldener Saal

The Augsburger Rathaus was built between 1615 and 1624 under the direction of the master builder Elias Holl and replaced the previous medieval town hall. The foundation stone was laid on 25 August 1615, and the facade was completed around 1620. The construction cost around 100,000 guilders and resulted in a building of around 57 metres, making the town hall the tallest secular building in the world at that time. The facade is decorated with imperial eagles and a large copper-shaped pine nut, which is the city coat of arms of Augsburg.

Behind the impressive facade, the Augsburg Town Hall is divided into three main halls: the Untere Fletz on the ground floor, the Obere Fletz on the middle level and the representative Goldener Saal on the upper floors. The Goldener Saal is the best known and was inaugurated in 1624. The hall is 14 metres high, 32 metres long and 17 metres wide and is decorated with coffered ceilings, murals and portals created by artists such as Johann Matthias Kager, Wolfgang Ebner and Peter Candid. The gold decoration of the hall was completed in 1643.

The town hall was used as an administrative building and a representative place for the free imperial city of Augsburg. The Goldener Saal was intended as a meeting hall for the Reichstag, but only a few sessions took place here, for example in 1713–1714. On the other hand, the hall was used for imperial meetings, elections and celebrations; including the election of Emperor Ferdinand IV in 1653, the stay of Emperor Joseph I in 1690 and the visit of Franz II in 1792. Later the hall was also used for large banquets for, among others, Otto von Bismarck in 1891 and King Ludwig III in 1914.

During a bombing raid on 25–26 February 1944, the town hall was almost completely destroyed, and the Goldener Saal and the adjacent Fürstenzimmer were unfortunately lost. Reconstruction began in the 1950s with the facades and towers, while the interior reconstruction of the Goldener Saal was only completed in 1996. Today, the Augsburger Rathaus continues to function as the city’s administrative center, and the Goldener Saal is open to the public and is used for concerts, exhibitions and official ceremonies.

Perlach Tower
Perlachturm

The Perlachturm is one of Augsburg’s most characteristic towers. It was originally built in the 10th century as a watchtower and later rebuilt in the Renaissance style. The tower has served as both a lookout point, a bell tower and a symbol of the city’s independence and strength. Its name Perlach is believed to derive from an old term for pearl or shining tower, reflecting its role as a prominent building in the cityscape.

The tower’s architecture combines medieval foundations with Renaissance details with decorative windows, balustrades and a characteristic spire. From the top of the tower, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Augsburg’s old town and the city’s modern extensions, making it both a historical and touristic experience. The Perlachturm is still one of the city’s central landmarks, and is frequently visited by both locals and tourists who want to experience the city’s history from a high perspective and at the same time admire the tower’s architectural details.

The Romanesque church of St. Petri am Perlach is located next to the Perlachturm. The church was built around 1182 as a rectangular pillared church and is one of the oldest surviving buildings in the city centre. In the Middle Ages it served as a parish church for craftsmen and merchants in the area around the market square. In the 17th century the church was rebuilt in Baroque style and the famous painting Maria vom Perlach, painted by Johann Georg Melchior Schmidtner in 1700, was installed here and developed into a pilgrimage image.

Augsburg Cathedral
Augsburger Dom

Augsburger Dom is a church dedicated to the Visitation of Mary/Mariä Heimsuchung, and is considered one of the oldest cathedrals in Germany. The current building was begun around 995 under Bishop Liutold and consecrated in 1065. The core is a Romanesque basilica with thick walls, round-arched windows and double choirs in the east and west, a feature that makes the cathedral unique among German medieval churches.

From the 14th century, the cathedral was gradually expanded in the Gothic style. The high altar was given pointed arches, and side chapels were added, while the large windows in the choir were equipped with stained glass. The two west towers, which today mark the profile of the cathedral, were completed at the end of the 15th century.

The cathedral contains a large number of historical works of art. Particularly noteworthy are the five Romanesque stained glass windows in the southern aisle. They are dated to around 1100–1120, and they are considered among the oldest preserved figurative stained glass windows in Europe. They show prophets from the Old Testament and are important sources for medieval visual art. In the southern transept there is also a Gothic Madonna with the Child Jesus from around 1356, while the Baroque high altar was built in the 17th century.

The cathedral contains the burial places of a number of Augsburg bishops, and the crypt contains remains of earlier church buildings from late antiquity and the early Middle Ages. In the Middle Ages, the church was the center of the Augsburg diocese and served as both a religious and political center for the city. During the Reformation in the 16th century and the Thirty Years’ War in the 17th century, the cathedral remained an important Catholic center, and after secularization in the early 19th century, it continued as the cathedral of the newly established diocese of Augsburg.

Fuggerei

The Fuggerei are some buildings that are called the world’s oldest social housing complex. The site was founded in 1516 by the merchant family Fugger to house poor citizens of Augsburg. The architecture of the complex is simple but functional with small terraced houses arranged around narrow streets and small courtyards. Each home was designed to be independent, but at the same time part of a close-knit community, reflecting the social philosophy behind the project.

The buildings in the Fuggerei bear the traditional Renaissance style of the time, and the area has generally preserved its medieval and Renaissance structure, making it a kind of living museum. As visitors can experience how poor citizens lived in the 16th century. The Fuggerei also includes a church and small gardens, which add charm and functionality to the complex. Today, the Fuggerei functions as both a residential area and a tourist attraction. You can go on guided tours, learn about the importance of the Fugger family, and see how the complex has functioned continuously for over 500 years.

Basilica of St. Ulrich and Afra
Basilika St. Ulrich und Afra

The Basilica of St. Ulrich and Afra in Augsburg dates back to an early Christian cult site at the tomb of Saint Afra. She was martyred around the year 304, and her grave became a place of pilgrimage. In the 9th century, Bishop Ulrich of Augsburg was also buried here, and the site developed into a monastery, which was taken over by Benedictine monks from Tegernsee in 1012. The monastery existed as a royal monastery until its secularization in 1802.

The current church was built between 1467 and 1500 as a late Gothic basilica in brick under the master builder Valentin Kindlin and completed by Burkhart Engelberg. The choir was not completed until around 1603, and the church was consecrated in 1607. The characteristic onion-shaped tower was added in 1594 and became a model for later Baroque church towers in southern Germany.

The church was given its current form in the 17th century, when the high altar was built by Hans Degler with drawings by Hans Krumpper. The altar, which is 23 meters high, contains about 270 figures and is among the largest in Europe of its time. At the same time, the pulpit and a number of side altars were added. The crypt under the church contains the tombs of Ulrich, Afra and Simpert, who was another of Augsburg’s early bishops.

In the 17th and 18th centuries, the church was used for major political and ecclesiastical events. Two German kings were proclaimed here, Ferdinand IV in 1653 and Joseph I in 1690, and in 1782 Pope Pius VI celebrated mass in the basilica. After secularization in 1802, the monastery at the church was dissolved, and from 1810 the church functioned as a parish church.

Maximilianmuseum

The Maximilianmuseum is a museum named after Maximilian I of the Habsburg dynasty. Founded at the beginning of the 20th century, the museum now houses an extensive collection of art, furniture, weapons, textiles and ceramics from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, documenting the city’s artistic and historical heritage. The collection provides a detailed insight into Augsburg’s importance as a city of trade and art.

The building itself is a beautiful example of historic architecture with elegant facades and classical details that reflect the early 20th century museum style. Inside, the rooms are designed to showcase the collections in a way that emphasizes artistic details and historical context, and the exhibitions create a coherent narrative of the city’s development over the centuries.

Railway Park Augsburg
Bahnpark Augsburg

The Bahnpark Augsburg is a unique museum and experience center dedicated to the history and technology of the railway in southern Germany. The park is located in former workshop buildings where trains and locomotives were repaired. Today it houses an impressive collection of historic locomotives, carriages and technical equipment. The Bahnpark provides an insight into both the industrial development and the importance of the railway for Augsburg as a trade and transport centre.

Architecturally, the Bahnpark combines functional industrial buildings with modern exhibition facilities. The large halls create an authentic setting for the historic locomotives and exhibits. The collection includes everything from steam and diesel locomotives to technical models and interactive installations, making the visit both educational and engaging. You can learn about the history of the railway through guided tours, demonstrations and hands-on experiences.

Augsburger Puppenkiste

The Augsburger Puppenkiste is a world-famous puppet theatre founded in 1948 and quickly became a cultural institution in Germany. The theatre is known for its handmade puppets, which are used in both classic and modern stories, often with musical and visually impressive settings. Over the years, it has created countless performances for both children and adults, and has helped to put Augsburg on the cultural map of the world.

The building is a charming, former garage that was converted into a theatre hall with intimate seating and a stage. The interior is detailed with rows of puppets, sets and props, which testify to the theatre’s creative craftsmanship tradition. Today, the Puppenkiste attracts tourists, families and theatre enthusiasts from all over the world. The theatre offers guided tours where you can see behind the scenes, learn about the puppets and their creators, and take part in performances.

Augsburg Botanical Garden
Botanischer Garten Augsburg

Botanischer Garten Augsburg is the city’s botanical garden and an important scientific and recreational centre. Founded at the beginning of the 20th century, the garden now houses a large selection of plants from all over the world, arranged in both thematic sections and historic greenhouses.

The architecture of the garden includes the old greenhouses with classic glass and iron constructions, paths, small lakes and sculptures, which create a harmonious combination of nature and human creation. The garden is divided into different zones from alpine plants and tropical areas to local flora, allowing you to experience a wide biodiversity in one place.

Augsburg Textile Museum
Textilmuseum Augsburg

The Textile Museum Augsburg documents the city’s historical importance as a center for textile production and industry. Established to preserve and communicate the industrial and artisanal heritage that Augsburg has had over the centuries, the museum houses exhibitions on weaving, dyeing, pattern design and textile technology. The museum provides a detailed insight into how the textile industry has shaped the city’s economy, culture and social life.

The building is traditional for industrial buildings from the 19th century, and it creates an authentic setting for the historic machines and textile samples. Visitors can see demonstrations of historical techniques, interactive exhibits, and special events that connect art, technology, and history.