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Augsburg

The Fugger Gambit: God's Bankers of Augsburg

5.6 km147 min7 stops

What awaits you on this Red Thread tour

Step into the 16th century and walk the ledger of history in Augsburg, the seat of the Fugger dynasty. This isn't just a story about money; it's about how one family's colossal fortune financed emperors, built St. Peter's Basilica, and inadvertently triggered the Protestant Reformation. Join our historian Max and local expert Amelia as they unravel the grand paradox of the Fuggers: were they pious saints or brilliant sinners? From opulent palaces to the world's oldest social housing project, you'll discover how their blend of finance, faith, and power politics forged the modern world.

Itinerary

1

TOUR START

Fugger and Welser Experience Museum

An immersive introduction to the immense wealth, global trade networks, and powerful influence of Augsburg's leading merchant families.

Fugger and Welser Experience Museum

Pic by Fotografin: Christine Pemsl on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

1.08 km • 17 min
2

STOP 2

Damenhof in the Fuggerhäuser

The family's opulent city palace, featuring the Damenhof, a stunning Renaissance courtyard that symbolized their immense wealth and Italianate taste.

Damenhof in the Fuggerhäuser

Pic by Ricardalovesmonuments on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

0.58 km • 9 min
3

STOP 3

Basilica of St. Ulrich and Afra

A grand Catholic basilica patronized by the Fuggers, physically representing the religious divide of the Reformation era next to its Protestant counterpart.

Basilica of St. Ulrich and Afra

Pic by Allie_Caulfield on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

1.32 km • 20 min
4

STOP 4

Augsburg Town Hall

A magnificent Renaissance town hall whose Golden Hall represents the civic pride and prosperity built upon the economic foundations laid by the Fuggers.

Augsburg Town Hall

Pic by Rikiwiki2 on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

0.38 km • 6 min
5

STOP 5

St. Anne's Church and the Fugger Chapel

A crucial site housing the Fugger's Renaissance burial chapel, and the location where Martin Luther famously refused to recant his theses.

St. Anne's Church and the Fugger Chapel

Pic by Allie_Caulfield on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

1.16 km • 18 min
6

STOP 6

The Fuggerei

The world's oldest social housing project, a remarkable synthesis of the Fugger's wealth, faith, and social conscience, still in operation today.

The Fuggerei

Pic by Jorge Franganillo on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)

1.08 km • 17 min
7

END

Maximilian Museum

A museum showcasing the magnificent art and craftsmanship of Augsburg's golden age, the cultural flowering enabled by Fugger-era wealth.

Maximilian Museum

Pic by Ricardalovesmonuments on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Where the tour takes place

Starting point and rough tour area – the exact route unfolds in the app.

Good to know

  • Ideal for History buffs, finance enthusiasts, lovers of Renaissance art, and anyone intrigued by the dramatic interplay of power, wealth, and religion.
  • Best time Daytime, Tuesday to Sunday, to ensure museum and church access. Check the opening hours for the Fuggerei and Town Hall's Golden Hall in advance.
  • Your voucher You can redeem your voucher for two years from purchase. Once redeemed, you have 14 days of access and can enjoy the tour as often as you like during that time.

Your guide

Max Krämer
Audio sample
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Max Krämer

  • History & Memory
  • Northern Germany

Historian with a passion for urban places of remembrance. Has worked in archives and museums for years; shows the traces of revolutions, monuments, and colonial pasts in today's streets.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get to the tour after buying?

You see your voucher code right after payment – and you also receive it at the email address you entered at checkout. Redeem that code in the Red Thread app; that's where the tour starts.

When does my access start?

Only when you redeem the code in the app, not at purchase. From redemption you have 14 days of access to the tour.

Do I need the Red Thread app?

Yes. The free Red Thread app turns your tour into a vivid experience: with audio, a map, and thoughtful prompts, it guides you from place to place in an engaging and entertaining way. It's available free for iOS and Android.

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