rk), city (1994 pop. 264,764), capital of Swabia, Bavaria, S central Germany, a major industrial center on the Lech River. The major industries include the manufacture of textiles, clothing, machinery, computers, electronic equipment, motor vehicles, and airplanes. The city is an important rail junction.
Augsburg was founded (c.14 B.C.) by Augustus as a Roman garrison called Augusta Vindelicorum. In early medieval times it was controlled by the Frankish kings. It was made a free imperial city in 1276 and was later a powerful member of various Swabian leagues, including the Swabian League Swabian League, association of Swabian cities and other powers in SW Germany for the protection of trade and for regional peace. The Swabian League of 1488–1534 is the best known of the long series dating from the 14th cent.
..... Click the link for more information. of 1488–1534.
Augsburg was one of Europe's most important commercial and banking centers in the 15th and 16th cent. and was a rallying point of German science and art. The city was the home of the Fugger Hans Fugger, allegedly a weaver, who moved to Augsburg in 1367. His descendants built up the family fortune by trade and banking. With
Jacob Fugger II, 1459–1525, called Jacob the Rich, the house entered its zenith.
..... Click the link for more information. and Welser Bartholomäus Welser, 1488–1561, who had advanced large sums to Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. Unable to repay his debts, Charles granted (1528) virtual sovereignty over present Venezuela to his creditor, who sent out agents and had the territory explored.
..... Click the link for more information. families and was the birthplace of Hans Holbein Holbein, Hans (häns hôl`bīn) the elder, c.1465–1524, German painter and draftsman.
..... Click the link for more information. the Elder, Hans Holbein the Younger, and Hans Burgkmair Burgkmair or Burckmair, Hans (both: häns b
..... Click the link for more information. . Several important agreements, including the Augsburg Confession (1530), were concluded there during the Reformation Reformation, religious revolution that took place in Western Europe in the 16th cent. It arose from objections to doctrines and practices in the medieval church (see Roman Catholic Church ) and ultimately led to the freedom of dissent (see Protestantism ).
..... Click the link for more information. . Augsburg suffered greatly in the Thirty Years War (1618–48). In 1806 it became part of Bavaria Bavaria (bəvâr`ēə), Ger. Bayern, state (1994 pop. 11,600,000), 27,239 sq mi (70,549 sq km), S Germany.
..... Click the link for more information. .
Augsburg's many noteworthy structures include the cathedral (begun in the 9th cent.); the 16th-century Fuggerei, an enclosed settlement for poor persons founded by the Fugger family; and the 17th-century town hall. Bertolt Brecht Brecht, Bertolt (bĕr`tôlt brĕkht), 1898–1956, German dramatist and poet, b. Eugen Berthold Friedrich Brecht.
..... Click the link for more information. was born in Augsburg.
Augsburg
City (pop., 2002 est.: 257,800), Bavaria, southern Germany. Founded as a Roman colony by Augustus c. 14 BC, it was the seat of a bishopric by AD 739. It became an imperial free city in 1276 and joined the Swabian League in 1331. The Fugger and Welser families made the city a major banking and commercial centre in the 15th–16th centuries. The Augsburg Confession was read at the Diet of 1530; the Peace of Augsburg was concluded in 1555; and the League of Augsburg was formed in 1686. The city became part of Bavaria in 1806. It was heavily bombed during World War II. Sites of interest include the Fuggerei (1519), the world's oldest housing settlement for the poor.
Augsburg
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