Sunday, July 15, 2007
Joining the Big Leagues in Augsburg
The Sleeper departed Munich this afternoon. We woke up late and grabbed lunch at one of the few restaurants open in the Marienplatz on a Sunday, an Italian place that seemed to cater to tourists. After parting ways at the Hauptbahnhof, I decided to take a day trip to the nearby town of Augsburg, the home of an eponymous 1555 treaty and a 17th century European alliance.
Augsburg is one of the oldest organized settlements in Germany, originally founded in 15 BCE by the Romans. The city became well known as a trading and banking center during the Middle Ages and many of its Renaissance buildings remain for the curious tourist to visit.
Some highlights:
1. The Augustusbrunnen: This fountain honors the Emperor Augustus. The four surrounding figures represent the Lech River and the Wertach, Singold, and Brunnenbach Brooks.
2. The Goldener Saal: This lavishly decorated banquet hall is located within the Augsburg city hall (See the Rathaus picture below). Although I might have enjoyed this room more if I could translate the Latin inscriptions, even I recognized the portraits of the various emperors scattered around the perimeter...each with his own catchphrase.
3. The Fuggerei: The unfortunately named Jakob Fugger was an Augsburg banker who was so successful he earned the nickname "Jakob the Rich." And later in his life, like so many successful businessmen, he wanted to give something back. So he opened "The Fuggerei": a Catholic welfare settlement housing approximately 250 people. Since the 17th century, the rent has been frozen at 1 Rhenish guilder (or 1 Euro) per year, plus utilities and three daily prayers. Among the more notable residents? Franz Mozart--Wolfgang's great-grandfather.
4. The Rathaus: Augsburg's city hall dominates the main square. It was constructed between 1615 and 1620 and is crowned by the city's emblem, a 4 meter tall pine cone.
5. Two more fountains: Each with a mythological theme and each representing the city's commercial success. The first, the Herkulesbrunnen shows Hercules fighting the hydra. The second, the Merkurbrunnen shows the god Mercury, the god of trade.
All in all, a worthwhile trip despite the sweltering heat. Luckily, I was able to find an ice cream shop near the Fuggerei with a delicious raspberry gelato.
The Sleeper departed Munich this afternoon. We woke up late and grabbed lunch at one of the few restaurants open in the Marienplatz on a Sunday, an Italian place that seemed to cater to tourists. After parting ways at the Hauptbahnhof, I decided to take a day trip to the nearby town of Augsburg, the home of an eponymous 1555 treaty and a 17th century European alliance.
Augsburg is one of the oldest organized settlements in Germany, originally founded in 15 BCE by the Romans. The city became well known as a trading and banking center during the Middle Ages and many of its Renaissance buildings remain for the curious tourist to visit.
Some highlights:
1. The Augustusbrunnen: This fountain honors the Emperor Augustus. The four surrounding figures represent the Lech River and the Wertach, Singold, and Brunnenbach Brooks.
2. The Goldener Saal: This lavishly decorated banquet hall is located within the Augsburg city hall (See the Rathaus picture below). Although I might have enjoyed this room more if I could translate the Latin inscriptions, even I recognized the portraits of the various emperors scattered around the perimeter...each with his own catchphrase.
3. The Fuggerei: The unfortunately named Jakob Fugger was an Augsburg banker who was so successful he earned the nickname "Jakob the Rich." And later in his life, like so many successful businessmen, he wanted to give something back. So he opened "The Fuggerei": a Catholic welfare settlement housing approximately 250 people. Since the 17th century, the rent has been frozen at 1 Rhenish guilder (or 1 Euro) per year, plus utilities and three daily prayers. Among the more notable residents? Franz Mozart--Wolfgang's great-grandfather.
4. The Rathaus: Augsburg's city hall dominates the main square. It was constructed between 1615 and 1620 and is crowned by the city's emblem, a 4 meter tall pine cone.
5. Two more fountains: Each with a mythological theme and each representing the city's commercial success. The first, the Herkulesbrunnen shows Hercules fighting the hydra. The second, the Merkurbrunnen shows the god Mercury, the god of trade.
All in all, a worthwhile trip despite the sweltering heat. Luckily, I was able to find an ice cream shop near the Fuggerei with a delicious raspberry gelato.
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