Fuggerei

Historic Site in Augsburg

CC BY-SA 4.0 / GZagatta

The Fuggerei is a historic social housing complex located in the city of Augsburg, Bavaria, Germany. It was founded in 1516 by Jakob Fugger, a wealthy merchant and banker, and is considered the world’s oldest social housing project still in use.

The Fuggerei was established as a way to provide affordable housing for Augsburg’s poorest residents. The complex consists of 67 houses and 147 apartments, along with a chapel, gardens, and a fountain. To this day, the Fuggerei continues to provide affordable housing for people in need, and the rent has remained unchanged since the 16th century.

In order to qualify for residency in the Fuggerei, applicants must meet certain eligibility criteria, including being Catholic, living in Augsburg for at least two years, and having an income below a certain threshold. Once accepted, residents pay an annual rent of just 0.88 euro cents (equivalent to the original yearly rent of one Rhineland florin), and are required to attend daily prayers in the complex’s chapel.

The Fuggerei is open to the public for visits, and visitors can explore the complex’s courtyards, gardens, and museum. The museum houses a collection of artefacts and exhibits related to the history of the Fuggerei and its founder, Jakob Fugger.

Overall, the Fuggerei is a unique and important piece of German history, and a testament to the enduring legacy of one man’s vision for providing affordable housing for the less fortunate.

The Fuggerei appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Augsburg!

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