Germany (Lonely Planet, 6th Edition) - Andrea Schulte-Peevers [293]
To see how Fuggerei residents lived in the past, visit the Fuggereimuseum (Mittlere Gasse 14; with Fuggerei admission free; 9am-8pm Mar-Oct, 9am-6pm Nov-Apr).
MAXIMILIANSTRASSE
Only the richest merchant families could afford to live on this grand boulevard, which is so wide you might mistake it in parts for a square. The former residence of Jakob Fugger, the Fugger Stadtpalast, is at No 36-38. It embraces the Damenhof (Ladies’ Court), a gorgeous Italian Renaissance-style inner courtyard. A nearby rococo palace, the Schaetzlerpalais ( 324 4102; Maximilianstrasse 56; adult/concession €7/5.50; 10am-8pm Tue, 10am-5pm Wed-Sun) was built for a wealthy banker between 1765 and 1770, and today houses the Deutsche Barockgalerie (German Baroque Gallery) and the Staatsgalerie (Bavarian State Gallery). The pièce de résistance is the 23m-long ballroom – a riot of carved decorations, stucco and mirrors, all topped off with a kinetic ceiling fresco.
OTHER SIGHTS
In a restored patrician’s house (1546), Maximilian-museum ( 324 4102; Philippine-Welser-Strasse 24; adult/child €7/5.50; 10am-8pm Tue, 10am-5pm Wed-Sun) traces the history of Augsburg. It also has a large exhibition of gold and silver work from baroque and rococo masters. A second floor displays sculptures and architectural models.
Fans of the Threepenny Opera will enjoy the Bertolt-Brecht-Haus ( 324 2779; Auf Dem Rain 7; adult/concession €2/1; 10am-5pm Tue-Sun), the birthplace of the famous playwright and poet. Brecht’s work was banned by the Nazis for his communist leanings and he was later shunned by West Germans for the same reason (see boxed text, Click here).
About 300m east of the main train station, as you head towards the Altstadt you’ll come to the Synagoge Augsburg, an art nouveau temple built between 1914 and 1917. Inside is the Jüdisches Kulturmuseum (Jewish Cultural Museum; 513 658; Halderstrasse 8; adult/concession €4/2; 9am-4pm Tue-Fri, 10am-5pm Sun), with exhibitions on Jewish life in the region, Germany and Central Europe.
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Sleeping
Augsburg’s hotel owners pump up their prices for Oktoberfest just as much as their Munich counterparts.
Jakoberhof ( 510 030; www.jakoberhof.de; Jakoberstrasse 41; s €27-74, d €39-89; ) The best-value option in town is this simple place near the Fuggerei. Bright and airy rooms have few frills and higher rates are for private facilities.
Hotel am Rathaus ( 346 490; www.hotel-am-rathaus-augsburg.de; Am Hinteren Perlachberg 1; s €65-98, d €98-125; ) As central as it gets, and moments away from Rathausplatz, this boutique hotel has fresh neutral decor and a sunny little breakfast room. The trendy Italian restaurant is surprisingly good.
Dom Hotel ( 343 930; www.domhotel-augsburg.de; Frauentorstrasse 8; s €72-105, d €92-135; ) The bigger the room, the higher the price at these good-value lodgings. The smaller attic rooms have beamed ceilings and great views. Guests have free use of the garden, pool and sauna, and children are welcome.
Steigenberger Drei Mohren Hotel ( 503 60; www.augsburg.steigenberger.de; Maximilianstrasse 40; s/d from €90/135; ) This landmark hotel, with luxurious decor, is a stunning place where both Mozart and Goethe once stayed. Marble bathrooms, original art and a beautiful garden terrace are among the elegant touches.
Augsburger Hof ( 343 050; www.augsburger-hof.de; Auf dem Kreuz 2; s €90-105, d €99-140; ) All rooms are business standard, staff are friendly and there are two on-site places to eat at this pretty window-boxed hotel near the Dom. The higher-priced rooms open into the courtyard.
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Eating
In the evening, Maximilianstrasse is the place to hang out, with cafes overflowing onto the pavements and Augsburg’s young and beautiful watching the world go by.
RESTAURANTS & CAFES
Café Linse ( 510 588; Färbergässchen 5; dishes €6-10; 9am-7pm Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm