A prosperous present and illustrious past Augsburg

Augsburg, located in south-west Bavaria, is one of Germany's most historically significant cities. And also one of the prettiest. As you stroll through the city's ancient streets, it doesn't take much imagination to feel like a Renaissance prince, or at least to get an idea of Augsburg's importance as a prominent financial centre, international trading hub and focal point for the fine arts at the time when the Fugger banking empire was at its peak.

A stroll through the centuries.

Augsburg shaped the history of Germany and Europe over a long period, having always been a little richer, and more glamorous and imposing than other cities. As long ago as the High Middle Ages travellers would marvel at its stately churches, including the cathedral with its stunning bronze portal (now nearly 1,000 years old) and the Basilica of St. Ulrich and St. Afra, named after two patron saints of the city. Medieval Augsburg was also surrounded by extensive fortifications and a continuous city wall, many parts of which are still preserved today. Numerous gold and silversmiths settled within the city walls, establishing an excellent reputation over the centuries. Their handiwork can now be seen in various museums and exhibitions and even bought in one of the many smaller stores still in existence today.

Augsburg's superb fountains and guildhouses – and, of course, the Town Hall, perhaps one of the most important secular Renaissance buildings north of the Alps – combine to form a cityscape of rare intensity. More recent periods have also left their mark on the city, most notably the Baroque and Rococo eras and – much later – the art nouveau movement, all of which turn a stroll through the city into a very special experience. Various notable buildings also sprung up during the industrial revolution, such as the Schüle calico factory, the glass palace and the Fabrikschloss, as well as mansions for famous industrialists, such as the Gignoux House, Villa Haag and Villa Silbermann. Equally impressive buildings remain from the art nouveau period, including the synagogue, the spa assembly rooms in Göggingen, the Church of the Sacred Heart and the Old Town Baths.

Where puppets dance you a welcome. And Brecht has returned home.

Even Augsburg's museums are a showcase for the centuries, particularly the Schaezler Palais, a highlight of the Rococo period with its four eminent art collections. And all callers are most welcome at a totally different museum, the Augsburger Puppenkiste: an adorable string puppet theatre, which has brought back fond childhood memories for generations of visitors. Augsburg's most famous son, Bertolt Brecht, was also active in the theatre, albeit in more conventional form. Although he was a controversial, little-liked figure for a long time, the people of Augsburg have since made their peace with him and have dedicated an interesting exhibition to his memory in the house where he was born. And in the evenings, there will always be somebody in one of the many cosy haunts in the old town, who will happily while away the hours discussing Brecht or Augsburg's puppet theatre.