The Fugger and Welser Experience Museum

Merchants, politicians and financiers - hardly anyone shaped the history of Augsburg as much as the patrician families of the late 15th and 16th centuries. Popes, emperors and kings were among their clients and made the Fugger and Welser families the Rockefellers and Quandts of their time.

The Fugger and Welser Adventure Museum in Augsburg's cathedral quarter focuses on the history of both important Augsburg dynasties. What were the success factors that made these two families so rich? The museum explores this question from different angles: Trade relations, business practices and social networks, as well as the importance of Augsburg as a trading centre at the turning point from the Middle Ages to modern times. The museum sees itself entirely as an experience museum and dispenses with classical exhibits as far as possible. The listed building, which was constructed in 1530 in the style of the Italian Renaissance, is equipped with the latest museum technology. Films, audio clips, projections, interactive content and even a living book make the history and significance of the two Augsburg merchant families come alive for visitors. At lovingly designed experience stations, visitors can listen to conversations between Jakob Fugger "the Rich" and Bartholomäus V. Welser, for example. And on the upper floor of the museum you can learn the traditional gender dance - always surrounded by the gossip of the high lords and ladies about politics, society or religion.

In addition to Augsburg's past, the exhibition also deals with current affairs and regularly incorporates reflections on the economic here and now into the exhibition concept.

The Fugger and Welser Adventure Museum offers numerous guided tours and events that take up and deepen individual aspects of the exhibition. There are special interactive offers for children to touch, listen to and try out. In addition, the museum offers exciting activities especially for children's birthday parties.

Current admission prices and opening hours can be found here.

As the northern terminus of the trade route between German and Italian principalities and kingdoms, Augsburg has always been a place where the cultural, and above all the culinary, specialities of the regions have intermingled. Traditional Swabian cuisine is just as much at home here as the numerous Italian restaurants that line the streets of the old town. The Ristorante Antico Duomo, directly behind Augsburg Cathedral, is particularly recommended. Here, in an atmosphere steeped in history, you can enjoy Italian cuisine and review your impressions of the museum. Those who prefer to indulge in Swabian cuisine will get their money's worth at Maximilians Klause in Jesuitengasse. The inn with wine bar and beer garden is located in one of Augsburg's oldest town houses. On the menu you will find classics of Swabian cuisine, but also oriental delicacies.

Directions:

From Augsburg's main railway station, you can reach the museum in a short walk of about 23 minutes. Leave the station at the east exit and walk straight ahead towards the green spires of Augsburg Cathedral. Once you reach Domplatz, continue straight ahead into Innere Pfaffengässchen. After 200 metres, turn left into Beim Pfaffenkeller. After about 100 metres, the Fugger and Welser Adventure Museum is right in front of you.

Our extra tip for children

The Fugger- und Welser Erlebnismuseum also offers special guided tours for children, where they can try things out and join in. In the "Fron und Vergnügen" children's tour, young visitors learn a real Renaissance dance that was already danced in Augsburg 500 years ago. This gives the children an age-appropriate insight into historical topics. Discover and join in now!