Hidden within the Fuggerei’s serene embrace lies the Leonhardskapelle a chapel with a story as captivating as its surroundings. This unassuming building holds centuries of history secrets whispered through its stones.
The Leonhardskapelle first appeared in records in 1241. It belonged to the Augsburg Cathedral Chapter until the early 14th century. Its origins remain shrouded in mystery. Some believe it may have replaced an earlier synagogue on the same site. Around 1350 the Augsburg city administrator Konrad Ilsung acquired the adjacent property. He used the chapel as his private chapel. The existing ribbed vaults likely date from this period.
After the Ilsung family died out the property passed to the powerful Welser family in 1422. They owned the Leonhardskapelle until 1550. In 1503 Anton Welser a member of the family received permission from the Cathedral Chapter to renovate the chapel. He created a passage connecting the chapel to his house. This year might also mark the chapel’s profanation its transformation from a sacred space to a secular one.
His son Bartholomew Welser integrated the chapel into his residence. He used it to house his banking business. The once freestanding chapel was now incorporated into a larger structure. The Welsers’ ownership continued into the 18th century. The property passed through various hands. It housed a soap factory and later served as a hardware storage facility.
In 1913 the Leonhardskapelle was converted into a restaurant a fashionable spot until 1944. The World War II bombing raids destroyed the Welser house. The late Gothic vaults of the Leonhardskapelle miraculously survived. For almost a decade the surviving structure was only protected by makeshift wooden coverings. The city council eventually decided to demolish the ruins. The remaining stones and capitals were carefully dismantled. They found temporary storage in the Dominican church.
Finally in 1963 the salvaged parts were incorporated into the basement of the Fuggerei’s senior citizens’ building. A modern business building now stands where the Welser house once stood.
Today the Leonhardskapelle’s remnants serve as a reminder of Augsburg’s vibrant past. They stand as a testament to the city’s resilience and its enduring connection to its rich history. The Leonhardskapelle is a poignant piece of Augsburg’s remarkable story a legacy preserved within the walls of the Fuggerei.