Augsburg: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

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).

Geography and Location

Aerial map

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.

• 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

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

Germany | German districts | Districts and district-free towns in Bavaria

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