Square with historical houses in Augsburg ()
An hour from Munich and about two hours from Stuttgart is Germany’s third oldest city and Bavaria’s third-largest city, Augsburg. Built by the Romans in 15 BCE, there is so much to see and do in Augsburg for those who wish to brave the cold or for those that would rather see the indoor sights.
Families with kids (or kids at heart) will want to start their day at the Augsburg Zoo, home to over 200 species of birds, 80 different species of mammals and an assortment of reptiles and amphibians. You can pay extra and go “behind the scenes” to see the meerkats, seals or penguins up close. Or, included in the price of admission, you can watch the feeding of the seals and pelicans.
After you have had your fill of the animals, music lovers and history buffs alike (or even those who just want to keep their fun indoors), will appreciate the Leopold Mozart House. Father of the famous Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Leopold Mozart’s house museum contains letters and artifacts that reveal a fascinating story of Leopold, who was an accomplished musician, composer and music manager in his own right.
For a mid-day sweet snack, have yourself a piece of Zwetschgendatschi, a cake dessert layered with Zwetschge plums. Zwetschgendatschi is Augsburg’s most famous dish and the dessert is believed to have originated there.
After your meal, head on over to the Augsburger Puppenkiste, the puppet theater, and catch a 2 p.m. or 4 p.m. show. December shows include “Dr. Faust,” “The Wizard of Oz” and “Ghosts of Christmas.” Before or after your show, you can tour the on-site museum, which houses famous puppets such as “the cat with the hat” and “Luke the engine driver.” The museum also offers guided English tours so you can fully immerse yourself in the experience. There is also a cafe if the Zwetschgendatschi did not completely fill you up.
It is not a day in a German city if you do not find yourself at one of Germany’s many castles and palaces. Augsburg’s Schaezler Palace is a must-see for architecture and art enthusiasts. Completed in 1770, this gorgeous palace is not only an architectural masterpiece, but also contains multiple collections of paintings and the rococo garden of the palace, which was designed in 2005. The first floor of the palace holds the Steiner Collection, an extensive assortment of 18th-century reverse glass paintings. A ticket to the palace also includes admission to the State Gallery of Old Masters in St. Catherine’s Church, which has paintings from the Augsburg and Swabian schools of the early Renaissance and the late Middle Ages.
If you are up for a nice winter stroll, end your day at the Fuggerei, “the world’s oldest social housing project,” which is still in use. Founded by the Fugger family in the early 16th century, this little area contains museums, a World War II bunker and is still a residential area where 150 people call home for the yearly rent of 0.88 euro and daily prayers for the Fugger family. Keep in mind that since this is a residential area, you should respect the privacy of the residents by visiting the display residence to learn more about the interior of the buildings.
