Germany: Augsburg's practically rent-free housing

DW (English)

The picturesque Bavarian city of Augsburg boasts impressive medieval churches, beautiful palaces and the world's oldest social housing project — where renters pay less than €1 per year.

Transcript

00:00This Bavarian city has housing for less than one euro a year.

00:06It also has some impressive history that will take you far back in time

00:10without sacrificing today's luxuries and possibilities.

00:14Welcome to an absolute gem of a town, Augsburg.

00:21I'm starting my day at Augsburg's Town Hall Square, the city's main square.

00:26From here you can obviously see the town hall buildings.

00:30From here you can begin exploring Augsburg's old town,

00:34its tiny alleys, beautiful squares and the Mercury Fountain,

00:40one of three monumental fountains in the city.

00:45The fountain is part of Augsburg's water management system,

00:48a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

00:50Let's find out what's so special about it.

00:53The city's water management system comprises fountains, canals,

00:57historic hydroelectric power plants and over 500 bridges.

01:01It was set up in the 13th century and progressively updated and refined over time,

01:06says Christen Gast.

01:07This is a very popular place for tourists to come and take a look at the fast rushing water in Augsburg,

01:14in the canals.

01:15This is where the canals all come together.

01:17Augsburg started separating fresh and waste water early on,

01:21even before people really knew about the ins and outs of hygiene.

01:27My next stop is the nearby Schätzler Palais.

01:30It might look unspectacular from the outside, but wait until we get inside.

01:35Augsburg used to be a very wealthy town, mainly because of banking families doing business here.

01:41One of them had this palace built of their home in the 18th century.

01:46Let's go check it out.

01:48The palace is just 19 meters wide, but almost 100 meters long.

01:53It houses important art collections and boasts a magnificent rococo ballroom.

01:59Can you imagine having a party in here?

02:10This is what this room was used for.

02:12But only rich people were allowed in.

02:15Most of the decorations and the painted ceiling are original.

02:19They date back over 250 years.

02:24Of course, we have strict regulations.

02:27With a limit on how many people are allowed inside the hall,

02:30with a maximum of 120 guests for events and concerts.

02:34The hall has never been electrified, which is interesting,

02:38and it has never been fitted with a heating system,

02:40because a heating system with significant temperature differences

02:44destroys the material.

02:47The owner of Schätzler Palais donated the palace to Augsburg in the 1950s

02:52on one condition, that the city never sell it.

02:57Now let's head to our last stop, the famous Fuggerei.

03:01It's the oldest social housing complex in the world,

03:04founded by another rich banker, Jakob Fugga.

03:08There are 142 flats in this housing complex, and you probably won't believe it,

03:15the tenants only pay 88 cents per year.

03:18Yes, you heard that right.

03:20So what do you have to do to live here?

03:23You have to lay open all your financial statements, like everything from your income,

03:31from your savings and everything.

03:33Then you need to have like an interview, where you describe yourself,

03:38what kind of person you are, how you've lived before, where you're living now.

03:42Then there's a very important fact, you have to live in Augsburg two years before you apply for a flat here.

03:49Noel has lived here for several years and is very happy about it.

03:53He has not yet been able to afford an apartment on the regular rental market.

03:58Anyone who wants to live at the Fuggerei must be Catholic and pray three times a day.

04:03A wealthy town with a long tradition of social awareness.

04:09Would you consider visiting Augsburg?

04:11Augsburg!

04:12Oh, my God, thank you.

04:13Take care.

04:14You are out there, too.

04:15Let's go to Augsburg.

04:16Bye!

04:17What is that?

04:18Let's go to Augsburg!

04:19I am going to be seated.

04:20Bye!

04:21I am going to be seated!

04:22Let's go to Augsburg!

04:23Okay, now, go to Augsburg!

04:24Good.

04:25I'm going to be seated.

04:26Take care.

04:27Now, take care about this.

04:28What is this?

04:29I'm going to be seated!

04:30Thanks to Augsburg!

04:31Now, take care about it.

04:33I'm looking to be seated!

04:34Look, next to Augsburg.

04:35I am going to be seated!

04:36Where are you?

04:37At the time?

04:38I'm «I am.

04:39I'm a little bit �ing!

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