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AUGSBURG - GERMANY
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.
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