Augsburg

Lore & Background

Augsburg was founded in 15 BC by the Romans as Augusta Vindelicorum and named after Emperor Augustus. It was a Free Imperial City from 1276 to 1803 and the home of the Fugger and Welser families. In the sixteenth century it became 'the dominant centre of early capitalism'. The city played a leading role in the Reformation as the site of the 1530 Augsburg Confession and the 1555 Peace of Augsburg. The Fuggerei, the oldest social housing complex in the world, was founded in 1513 by Jakob Fugger.

In Their Own Story

The air inside the WWK Arena was thick with humidity and anticipation. The floodlights hummed, casting long shadows across the pristine pitch as the Augsburg faithful roared, their voices echoing off the stands that had witnessed so many underdog stories. On the opposite sideline, the Bayern Munich squad stood in their familiar white, a wall of stars accustomed to victory, yet their eyes betrayed a flicker of caution. They knew this terrain; they knew the Swabian grit that could grind down even the most elegant passing game. As the referee blew the whistle, the clash was immediate. The ball surged through the midfield, bouncing between boots with frantic energy. It wasn't just about three points; it was about the 60 kilometers of road separating two cities. A tackle rang out, sharp and decisive, silencing a momentary lull in the crowd. For ninety minutes, the hierarchy of German football would be tested, proving that local pride often outweighs table standings.

Reader's Guide

Augsburg lies at the convergence of the Alpine rivers Lech and Wertach and on the Singold. The city is heavily verdant and won the Entente Florale contest in 1997. Suburbs include Friedberg, Königsbrunn, Stadtbergen, Neusäß, Gersthofen, Diedorf. Neighbouring municipalities include Rehling, Affing, Kissing, Mering, Merching, Bobingen, Gessertshausen.

Did You Know?

• Augsburg is one of Germany's oldest cities, after Neuss, Trier, Worms, Cologne and Xanten.
• In 2019, UNESCO recognised the Water Management System of Augsburg as a World Heritage Site.
• The Fuggerei, founded in 1513, is the oldest social housing complex in the world.
• Augsburg was the first German city to win the Europe-wide contest Entente Florale for Europe's greenest and most livable city.