BAVARIA'S OLDEST CITY BLENDS GRANDEUR, CANALS, CULTURE INTO TIMELESS ALLURE

Bavaria's third largest city Augsburg invites exploration with stories woven through time

- AKANKSHA DEAN

Tucked away in Bavaria, Augsburg invites exploration with stories woven through time, this underrated city whispers the tales of emperors, bankers, and artisans, inviting you to uncover its rich tapestry.

Admittedly, I didn't know much about Augsburg before my trip. Bavaria's third largest city had always been a bit of a wallflower compared to showstoppers like Munich or Nuremberg. All I really knew was that its water management system had earned UNESCO World Heritage status.

But within hours of arriving, I realized Augsburg wasn't just old, it was ancient, layered, and full of stories begging to be told. Founded around 14 BC by Emperor Augustus as 'Augusta Vindelicorum', this is one of Germany's oldest cities. But it wasn't just the Romans who left their mark. By the 15th century, Augsburg was Europe's equivalent of Wall Street, booming thanks to the Fugger family, a banking dynasty that rivalled the Medicis. Jakob Fugger, whose name alone feels like a chapter in history, built the 'Fuggerei', the world's oldest functioning social housing complex. (The rent? A mind-bending 0.88 euros per year, provided you say three daily prayers on Fugger's behalf.) But what really got me was the World War II bunker hidden beneath it, a haunting time capsule that practically echoes under your feet. Wandering Augsburg's old town feels like stepping into a Renaissance painting. The 'Rathaus', with all its goldleaf grandeur, dominates the square, while the 'Perlachturm' tempts climbers with panoramic views of the city's maze of medieval canals, waterways that still pulse with life and earned Augsburg its UNESCO nod.