Sights of Memmingen (Germany): description and photo

Germany is a country rich in interesting places. Each city here has its own unique appearance and is worth a visit. Several dozen small towns are ideal for one-day excursions, including Memmingen, whose airport is very convenient. From here you can start a beautiful journey through Bavaria. But for 1-2 days here it is necessary to stop. Memmingen's attractions are worth exploring, and the atmosphere of the city is so friendly and pleasant that, perhaps, the tourist does not want to go further.

Geography

In the south-west of Bavaria is the administrative district of Swabia, its capital is Memmingen (Germany) - a small town with a population of just over 40 thousand people. The settlement is located in the foothills of the Alps and is harmoniously inscribed in the local landscape. The relief of the city, despite the proximity of the mountains, is flat, a small Stadtbach stream flows through the settlement. The river, although small, but it is full of well-fed river trout. Every year a big holiday is held in the city - Fisherman's Day, when the participants compete in fishing. The size of the city is 70 square meters. Km, but the central part, interesting to the tourist, is much smaller. All the sights can be seen in one day.

Weather

Memmingen is located in the zone of the mountainous continental climate. It is warm, even sometimes hot summers and moderately cold winters. The region is different in that there is a lot of precipitation here, 900 mm per year. The least precipitation is in February, and the rainiest month is June. Therefore, travelers should always have their clothes with them in case of bad weather. The average annual temperature is 7.5 degrees Celsius. In the summer, on average, the thermometer warms up to 17 degrees, and in winter it keeps around the mark minus 3-5 degrees. The snow cover in the city does not last long, on average, two weeks a year.

History

The district of Swabia got its name in honor of the Germans speaking a particular Swabian dialect of the German language. Schwabia and Memmingen have a long and interesting history behind them. In the fifth century, the tribes of the Alemannians lived on the territory of the modern city.

For the first time the name of the city was mentioned in the contract of donation of 1128, in which it was said that the Memmingen lands are granted to the Oksenhauzen monastery. The city began to develop when it began to undergo salt expeditions of the Roman Empire. Memmingen in the documents and mentioned as a parking lot on the way of salt traders who traveled from Germany to Italy. Such a favorable location contributed to the rapid development and enrichment of the settlement. In 1438 the city received the status of a free city of the Roman Empire.

As far back as 1506, the merchants of Memmingen could afford to equip their own ship for a foreign expedition in order to purchase overseas goods. The inhabitants of the city were part of many governing bodies of the empire. In 1522, Memmingen took an active part in the Reformation and joined the side of the Protestants. In 1525, the first European Human Rights Bill was adopted here, the so-called "Twelve Articles" collection.

In the 17th century, the importance of the city is diminishing, its wealth is gradually losing, and in 1803, after the attack of the Bavarian army, the settlement became part of Bavaria. Numerous sights of Memmingen keep a memory of different historical events and epochs. Part of the historic buildings was destroyed during the bombings in World War II, the most valuable buildings were reconstructed.

What to see

For day trips from Munich, tourists often choose Memmingen. What to see in this city? All attractions are concentrated in Altstadt (Old Town). Walking around the city, you need to pay attention to the main attractions, which will be discussed below. Also, you should look at the drawings on the houses that have been preserved here since the Middle Ages. It is necessary to walk along the river that surrounds the lovely Bavarian houses, find houses where the commander A. Suvorov and the Russian Emperor Alexander the First stayed, as well as the oldest drugstore "Unicorn" of 1489 and the painted building of the former customs of the late 15th century.

The House of the Guild of Weavers deserves special attention - one of the most beautiful half-timbered constructions of the city - and the house of the Fugers of the late 16th century.

The city is literally designed for walking, it's worth to walk along the Maximilianstrasse, the Herenstraße and go to the Wine Market and the Grain Market Square, look at the fisherman's fountain and complete the trek in one of the authentic restaurants or on the Market Square, where twice a week there is a fair of farm products.

House with seven roofs

The most significant sights of Memmingen belong to the Middle Ages. The abundance of salt, an important element in tanning in the Middle Ages, has led to the opening of many handicraft workshops in the city for the manufacture of skins and furs. For the drying of the bellows, an unusual structure was constructed with several ventilation openings in the roof. The house received a nickname in honor of its specific design, which looks like a four-tiered roof with windows creating the necessary drafts.

The building was erected in the 15th century on the foundation of an older house. When the tanneries began to decline, the house with seven roofs was converted into a hotel. During the bombings during the Second World War, the structure was badly damaged, but after the end of hostilities, hardworking Swabians quickly rebuilt the house, while they tried their best to use the original materials.

Town Hall

In all the ancient cities of Europe, the house where the leadership of the settlement meets, is one of the most beautiful buildings, Memmingen was no exception. The Town Hall of this Swabian village began to be built at the end of the 16th century, but it does not acquire its present appearance until 1765. This beautiful structure in the style of rococo, with spectacular domed bulbs and today is the city's mayor's office. This beautiful snow-white building, with spectacular bay windows and three towers, is decorated with elegant stucco molding, organically combines the once fashionable elements of the French style and the traditional German silhouette of the pediment.

St. Michael's Church

The brutal stone building on the street of Herenstrasse is one of the oldest cult places in the region. The church of St. Martin in the style of severe Gothic was built in the late 15th century on the site of the old Roman basilica. The 65-meter tower of the cathedral remains today the tallest building in the city. On the facade of the church you can see a painted clock face made in the middle of the 16th century. The interior of the cathedral is decorated with spectacular star arches, frescoes and original stained-glass windows, there are unique forged ancient choirs and an altar, similar to Gothic lace. In the 17th century, a superstructure with a dome was erected on the tower, which looks inorganic in an ancient building. In the cathedral and today there are services. The tower can be climbed to see the city from a height.

Herman's Palace

Looking at the sights of Memmingen, you can easily not pay attention to the palace in the late Baroque style, which modestly hid in the shadow of the cathedral. Herman's Palace was built in 1766 and served as a home for the richest Swabian merchant. It was in this house that all influential people who passed through Memmingen, including the Russian Emperor Alexander the First, stopped. Inside the building there are magnificent interiors of the 18th century. Today in the palace is a museum of local history, where you can find out about the glorious past of this ancient town.

Salt storage

Since the time of the salt boom in the city remained a large salt depot. Its length is more than 100 meters, which visually tells about the volume of trade in this most valuable product. A simple building with a figured facade was built in 1470-1474. Today there are restaurants and shops.

City fortifications

Since the Middle Ages in Memmingen, the city walls have survived, which once protected the inhabitants from enemies. They were built from the 11th to the 13th century. Today, only a part of the fortifications and several gates remain. The most beautiful gates are the Western ones, which were rebuilt in 1648, and the Kempten gates with a high tower made of bricks built in 1383.

Practical information

Memmingen, whose airport is 5 kilometers from the city center, is very convenient for transit trips. In between flights, you can just see this town, dine in a restaurant, go to the museum. From the airport to the city every hour bus runs, but tourists often walk on foot, admiring the road of traditional Bavarian nature. Memmingen is good for tourists, but there is a big drawback - there are not enough hotels in it, especially the average and economical price categories. However, most tourists come here from other places, for example, from Munich. From the capital of Bavaria to Memmingen, it is best to travel by train, the express train is an hour, the regional train is 1 hour and 45 minutes. For trips here operates a Bavarian ticket, and a comprehensive ticket for Austrian railways.

In the city it's very easy and simple to navigate. Immediately from the station begins the Old Town, in which in many places there are navigation stands for tourists with maps, also near the main attractions there are signs. In the information center for tourists, which is located in the Town Hall Square, you can ask employees any question and take a map of the city.