Augsburg - City of the Renaissance - Renaissance of a City Founded in 15 BC under the rule of Emperor Augustus, Augsburg grew to become a major trading centre. The imperial city achieved its greatest prosperity in the 15th and 16th centuries as a result of international trade and the banking business of the Fugger and Welser merchants families.

The magnificent Renaissance buildings that give the city its unique character date from this period.

The Rathaus, or Town Hall of Augsburg was built by the City Architect Elias Holl between 1615 and 1620. Most important secular Renaissance structure north of the Alps. Expresses the self-assurance of the then Free Imperial City of Augsburg.
Severly damaged in 1944 in an air raid. Reconstruction of the facade after WWII and of the interior in 1962.

Opening hours: daily from 10 am to 6 pm (except when reserved for special functions). Information: Phone 324 2120

Have a look also to the Fuggerei, world's oldest old folk's estate, established 1516 by Jacob Fugger and the Schaezler Palace, built 1765-1770, sumptuous Rococo ballroom, art collection incl. works by Dürer, Holbein and Cranach.

Information: Regio Augsburg Tourismus GmbH, Bahnhofstr. 7, D-86150 Augsburg, Tel. 0049-821-502070, Fax 0049-821–5020745, tourismus@regio-augsburg.de , www.regio-augsburg.de