Augsburg

Augsburg (pop. 258,300), capital of the administrative district of Swabia in Bavaria, Germany, on the Lech River about 35 mi (56 km) from Munich. Situated on the site of a Roman colony founded by Emperor Augustus (late 1st century B.C.), it became a free imperial city (1276) and flourished as an important trade center. Augsburg lost much in power and prestige during the Thirty Years War (1618–48) and eventually was annexed by Bavaria (1806). Today it is an important commercial and rail center for south Germany. Its medieval inner quarter includes the late Gothic church of St. Ulrich and the Renaissance-style Rathaus.

See also: Augsburg Confession.