Beneath this imposing facade lies a history far older than these walls. I am speaking of the Landgericht Augsburg. Before this “Justizpalast” stood here, the “Alte Einlaß” controlled who entered Augsburg at night.
Let’s delve into the story of the Landgericht Augsburg, a cornerstone of Bavarian justice. This court stands as one of 22 regional courts in Bavaria. The Landgericht Augsburg resides in the grand Justizpalast at Am Alten Einlaß 1. However, the Strafkammern or criminal divisions, operate from the Strafjustizzentrum in Gögginger Straße 101.
The district overseen by the Landgericht Augsburg includes the city of Augsburg and surrounding areas. In 2019, over 1500 lawyers were admitted to practice within this district. The Landgericht Augsburg answers to the Oberlandesgericht München. Subordinate courts include the Amtsgerichte in Aichach, Augsburg, Dillingen an der Donau, Landsberg am Lech, and Nördlingen.
The Landgericht Augsburg’s roots trace back to the Bezirksgericht Augsburg established in 1857. This became the Landgericht in 1879.
Interestingly, from 1927, the Landgericht Augsburg also housed the Landesarbeitsgericht Augsburg. This court handled labor disputes within the region. This court was responsible for the districts of the Landgerichte Augsburg and Neuburg an der Donau. It included the labor courts of Aichach, Augsburg, Burgau, Dillingen, Donauwörth, Landsberg, Neuburg an der Donau, Nördlingen, Schrobenhausen, Schwabmünchen, Wertingen, and Zusmarshausen.
Now, let’s focus on the building itself, the Justizpalast. Constructed between 1871 and 1875, its size earned it the nickname “Justizpalast”. In 2002 and 2003, extensive renovations modernized the building. The north wing, including the courtroom section, was remodeled.
This site holds historical significance. Around 1300, the “Alte Einlaß” served as Augsburg’s night gate. This controlled nighttime access to the city. In 1514, Baltus Ul, a city master builder, erected a new gate. Its complex, seemingly automatic, mechanisms became a major attraction. Hidden personnel operated the gate. The legend attributing the gate’s construction to Kaiser Maximilian I is historically inaccurate.
In 1867, the “Alte Einlaß” was demolished. A few years later, from 1871 to 1875, the new Justice Building arose. It was built “under the glorious reign of His Majesty King Ludwig II.” This late-classical building was expanded in 1922 and 1923. A fourth wing enclosed the inner courtyard. Completely destroyed in World War II in 1944, it was rebuilt between 1948 and 1951. Today, it houses the Landgericht Augsburg and the Amtsgericht Augsburg, excluding criminal divisions and the register court.
The Strafjustizzentrum, located on Gögginger Straße, is where criminal cases are heard. In 2001, the public prosecutor’s office and the criminal divisions of the Landgericht and Amtsgericht moved to this modern facility.
Here, you can also view the exhibit “Epochs of Legal History”.
The Landgericht Augsburg stands as a testament to Augsburg’s history. It has been a place where justice has been served for centuries. From the old gate to the modern courthouse, this location has always been central to Augsburg’s story.