Fuggerei Augsburg: The oldest social housing estate in the world

Located in the centre of Augsburg, the Fuggerei comprises 67 houses, 142 flats, its own church and administrative buildings - surrounded by an impressive city wall with three gates. Here you can experience a "city within a city" and immerse yourself in a residential tradition that is unrivalled anywhere in the world.

The residential tradition of the Fuggerei: unique rules and affordable rents

The historic terraced housing estate is home to around 150 Catholic residents on low incomes. The annual rent is just 0.88 euros per flat - a symbolic sum that has been in place for centuries. In return, the residents commit to three daily prayers, including one for the salvation of the Fugger dynasty. Jakob Fugger, a member of the famous merchant family, founded the settlement in 1521 in the name of his deceased brothers Georg and Ulrich for needy citizens. The rules and rituals make the Fuggerei a living example of historical welfare, the like of which is hard to find anywhere else.

The Fuggerei Museum: an insight into the past and present

The Fuggerei not only invites you to marvel at its architecture, but also to take a journey into the past. The Fuggerei Museum in Mittlere Gasse, in the flats at numbers 13 and 14, offers you exciting insights into the history of the estate and its residents. Here you can learn all about the development of the Fuggerei and experience the lives of the residents from past centuries. Particularly worth seeing is the show flat in the last remaining original house, which shows the living style of the 18th century. If you would like a modern comparison, you can visit the second show flat at Ochsengasse 51, which gives you an insight into the living conditions of the Fuggerei residents today.

An excursion destination for every season

A visit to the Fuggerei is worthwhile all year round. The estate is particularly charming in spring and summer, when the historic ambience is in full bloom. At Christmas time, the Fuggerei becomes particularly romantic when the small, atmospheric Christmas market opens its doors and welcomes you into a festive atmosphere.

Eating and drinking in the neighbourhood

Therestaurant "Die Tafeldecker der Fuggerei" at Jakoberstraße 26 is the perfect place for a culinary break. Here you can enjoy Bavarian-Swabian specialities in a modern ambience - perfect for a break after the tour.

Getting to the Fuggerei

You can reach Augsburg Central Station comfortably and in a climate-friendly way by train. From there, it's just under 20 minutes on foot to the Fuggerei. After leaving the main station at the east exit, walk straight ahead along Bahnhofsstraße to Königsplatz. After crossing the square, turn left into Annastraße and after another 240 metres walk along Mettlochgäßchen and Philippine-Welser-Straße to Rathausplatz. Via the street "Am Perlachberg", which turns into Barfüßerstraße, you will finally reach the Fuggerei in Jakoberstraße on the right-hand side.

Interactive adventure through the Fuggerei

For all those who would like to discover the Fuggerei in a special way, there is an exciting episode of the podcast series "Hin & Hören". Here you can find out more about the oldest social housing estate in the world through audio.