Bahnhofsviertel

As you stand in the heart of Augsburg, just across from the magnificent Maximilianstraße, you might be surprised to learn you’re not in the city’s oldest district. The Bahnhofsviertel is actually younger, its history born from the arrival of the train. In 1846, Augsburg’s main railway station was built, transforming the area from a vacant lot into a thriving hub. The very train station that you see today is actually the oldest German city railway station still standing and operating! It wasn’t long, however, until this grand building was met with protests. For years, those living closer into the centre of Augsburg grumbled about the difficulty of reaching the station. This led to the dramatic demolition of the Goggiger Tor and the surrounding medieval walls. This opened up an area just south of the station, known today as Königsplatz. Surrounding this square, luxurious villas and grand businesses were built by the wealthiest of Augsburg’s residents, reflecting the growing importance of the city at the time. In 1862, the city saw the birth of the Bahnhofsviertel as we know it today. This was in large part thanks to an innovative idea: to develop a grand boulevard between the Königsplatz and the Stadttheater. Today, you can still see remnants of this vision in the grand streets that surround the Königsplatz. The Bahnhofsviertel then developed into a more residential district, where both locals and travelers would find lodgings, shops, and even a synagogue in its grand Jugendstil style, which miraculously survived the November Pogroms in 1938. Today, the Bahnhofsviertel is a vibrant and diverse area, offering a glimpse into the history of Augsburg’s transition into modernity.