|
Map of Germany showing Augsburg
Augsburg is a city in south central Germany. It is the capital of
the Swabia region of Bavaria, and is
located on the Lech river. Population: 276.193 (01.01.2004).
History
The city was founded in 15 BC in the reign of Roman emperor Augustus as a garrison called Augusta Vindelicorum.
It became an Imperial Free City on March 9, 1276. Given its strategic location on the trade routes to
Italy, it became a major trading centre. It produced large quantities of woven goods,
cloth and textiles, and was the base for the Fugger banking empire. The Fuggerei, part of the city devoted to housing for the needy citizens of Augsburg, was
founded in 1516 and is still in use today.
In 1530 the Augsburg
confession was presented to the Holy Roman Emperor at the
Diet of Augsburg. In 1805,
when the Holy Roman Empire was dissolved, Augsburg lost its
independence and became part of the kingdom of Bavaria.
Sights
- Town hall, built in 1620 in Renaissance style
- Perlachturm, a bell tower built in 1182
- Fuggerei, see above
- Bishop's residence, built about 1750 in order to replace the older bishop palace; today the administrative seat of Swabia
- Cathedral, founded in the 9th century
- Augsburger
Puppenkiste
Miscellaneous
The patron saint of Augsburg is Saint
Afra, who was killed by the Romans at Augsburg in 304. The White Water Canoeing
events for the 1972 Summer Olympics were held on the Lech
in Augsburg.
See also : biodiesel, League of Augsburg
External links
|