WELCOME TO FRIEDBERG

WELCOME
TO FRIEDBERG
On the Romantic Road
Schwabenstädte
The place and people
2
Friedberg – an open town
I would like to extend a very warm
welcome to those of you who have
chosen to visit our town here on the
River Lech, once the seat of the Dukes of
Old Bavaria. Whether you are holidaying
here, meeting up with friends, doing business or just passing
through, we have just about everything your heart desires –
beautiful shops, car parks close to the town centre, plenty of
leisure facilities, quiet areas and many public events. We are
soon to be 750 years old, and around the lovely town centre
our history will greet you at every turn.
Friedberg has developed as a smallish town where people live,
work and shop happily, in the shadow of Augsburg, home to
the Fugger dynasty. We who live here and, of course, our visitors greatly enjoy the diverse cuisine. We hope this brochure
serves as an inspiration.
Peter Bergmair
Mayor of Friedberg
The early days
In the mid-13th century, the Bishop of Augsburg was attempting to extend his bishopric. The free citizens of Augsburg felt
threatened. Conrad von Hohenstaufen and Duke Ludwig II von
Wittelsbach („Ludwig the Strict“) promised help. On 6th February
1264 they issued a letter of protection to the townsfolk which
proclaimed the foundation of a town on the other side of the Lech,
where the „Fridberch“ castle stood. The town was constructed
as planned on the Lech plateau and rapidly gained importance
thanks to its excellent strategic position at the junction of key
trade routes.
Welcome to Friedberg
To some, we are the Bavarian Tuscany, to
others a baroque gem. Friedberg welcomes
you with the charm of a small town that
knows how to live.
The Renaissance castle and the baroque
town hall are a reminder of the town‘s glittering history. From their Friedberg residence
the Dukes of Wittelsbach promoted trade and industry during the mid16th century. The town‘s arts and crafts were particularly inspired.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, Friedberg evolved into a largely
unnoticed watchmaking town.
Every three years since 1989 the old town relives the baroque and rococo
days of that golden „Friedberg Past“ through a major historical festival
of that name. „Friedberg Past“ is a stylish 10-day celebration held
in the romantic setting of the old town - with the original costumes,
original performances and original cuisine from that era. A festival that
will inspire you in a town that does the same.
Art and Culture
4
Friedberg – a romantic town
The city wall and town hall:
witnesses to an eventful history
Come with us on a stroll by the
city wall. It was built when the
town was extended by Duke
Ludwig VII „the Bearded“ of
Bavaria-Ingolstadt in around
1400. And its watchtowers are
still almost totally intact!
Passing through narrow alleyways we arrive at the Marienplatz. Here it is Friedberg‘s
town hall that dominates.
The city wall – witness to times long
gone.
Friedberg talking heads:
Dr. Hubert Raab, town historian
It was built in 1674 in the
spirit of the work of Elias Holl
(1573-1646, the architect
behind the famous Augsburg
Town Hall). Take a look at the
facade, with its late-Renaissance and baroque elements.
It reflects the assurance of an
aspirational population.
„Friedberg
inspires me
because its
rich history
forces us to
approach our
current goals
with optimism and because the
people who live here do not simply
reflect on their tradition, they
ensure it is relived, e.g. every three
years through the history festival in
the old town.“
Art and Culture
6
Friedberg – a romantic town
Wittelsbach Castle:
Ducal residence and art gallery
Wittelsbach Castle brings
to life the town‘s historical heyday. The complex
was rebuilt in 1559 in the
Renaissance style after a
fire in 1541 destroyed the
previous construction. In
1568 Duchess Christine
von Lothringen opted to
pass her widowhood there.
This put Friedberg at the
centre of courtly life in
Bavaria.
Friedberg tips
If you fancy experiencing the romance and style of the castle grounds in a unique
fashion, why not attend one of the „Live in the Castle Grounds“ series of concerts or
enjoy an evening of drama in its historic surrounds. The castle houses regular exhibitions, the museum of Friedberg faience and watches, and exhibitions of regional
religious art and culture. To request a copy of the cultural programme we publish
every six months, please call 0821 / 6002-611 or email [email protected] /
www.friedberg.de
Not to be missed:
Watchmakers‘ houses
Interested in which unknown
watchmaker lived when and
where in Friedberg? If so,
follow the watchmaker signs from the
Marienplatz to the castle. You will find
all the watchmakers‘ houses known to
us today along with the main details
of their inhabitants‘ lives. And when
you reach the castle, it is worthwhile
visiting the extensive watch collection
comprising over 80 exhibits.
Museum opening
hours:
Saturdays, Sundays
and bank holidays
11am – 5pm
Visits to the keep
Sundays
Tel.: 08 21/60 56 51
Fax: 08 21/60 78 75
www.museumfriedberg.de
7
Watches and faience – Friedberg
specialities
Maximilian III Joseph, Elector of Bavaria, had faience tableware
made here in Wittelsbach Castle between 1754 and 1768.
Through the „porcelain factory favoured by the Elector“
he aimed to generate kudos and, more importantly, line his state coffers. Due to its
scarcity, Friedberg faience is now highly
collectable.
In
the 17th and 18th centuries, Friedberg‘s watchmakers supplied all of Europe. The historic basis for this
success stemmed from the 16th century, when the
Bavarian dukes who lived here encouraged an influx
of talented craftsmen and, in the process, exploited
the strict guild regulations that applied in neighbouring Augsburg.
Valuable Friedberg
watches with fascinating
and surprising background stories.
Craftsmen who Augsburg did not recognise as masters and were
refused residency moved to Friedberg, thus doing well for themselves
and the town as a whole. By the end of the 19th century, 400 watchmakers had registered in Friedberg.
Art and Culture
8
Friedberg – a romantic town
The Lord‘s Rest: a Bavarian rococo jewel
The pilgrimage church of Our Lord‘s Rest
(„Herrgottsruh“), which was restored late
in 2007, was built between 1731 and 1753
and is one of the finest examples of Bavarian rococo. A collaboration between several
different masters produced the harmonious blend of architecture, sculpture and
painting that so typifies its style. The
murals in the chancel, which the extensive work in 2007 completely
restored and which can now be seen again in all their glory, were done
by the great Cosmas Damian Asam, who famously painted the church
named after him in Munich. His pupil, the Augsburg fresco painter Matthäus Günther, created the frescos on the cupola. The stucco work was
done by Franz Xaver Feichtmayer of the Feichtmayer artist family, from
Wessobrunn.
St Jakob is
externally
identical to the
church of San
Zeno in Verona
and internally to
San Apollinare
in Classe in
Ravenna.
The town skyline is dominated by the parish church of St. Jakob. It was
rebuilt in 1871/1872 in the neo-Roman style after the previous church
tower had collapsed in 1868.
The church of Maria Alber (1692) is a homage
to an image of the Virgin that appeared in a
white poplar tree.
The baroque St. Afra in the Field chapel
is named after the first female Christian
martyr north of the Alps. Saint Afra was
burned at the stake in this spot in around
the year 304.
The baroque church of St Stephen was built in
1698 on the site of a former plague church
Friedberg invites you
10
Town info at a glance
Augsburg
Friedberg
München
Area: approx. 8,000 ha
Altitude: 514 m.s.l.
Population: approx. 29,000 Friedberg
centre with Friedberg West and the urban
districts: Bachern, Derching, Haberskirch,
Harthausen, Ottmaring, Paar, Rederzhausen, Rinnenthal, Rohrbach, Stätzling,
Wiffertshausen, Wulfertshausen
Transport links:
• Rail: Augsburg-Ingolstadt (Paartalbahn)
• AVA and VGA bus connections
• Autobahn BAB 8 Stuttgart-Munich,
B 2 (Romantic Road), B 300 AugsburgAichach-Schrobenhausen
• Augsburg Airport
Twinned with
• Völs am Schlern / South Tyrol (1959)
• Friedberg / Styria (1966)
• Bressuire / France (1992)
• Chippenham / England (1992)
• La Crosse / USA (2002)
Internet
• www.friedberg.de
• www.museum-friedberg.de
• www.friedberger-zeit.de
Informationen
Friedberg Tourist Information
Marienplatz 5, 86316 Friedberg
Tel. 08 21 / 60 02 - 6 11
Fax 08 21 / 60 02 - 1 90
[email protected]
www.friedberg.de
Tradition and future
16
Friedberg – a town with vitality
Friedberg Past:
live history close-up
The „Friedberg Past“ festival recalls
the town‘s glory days of the 17th and
18th centuries. The days when Friedberg established itself as a centre for
the art of watchmaking, in competition with the imperial city of Augsburg.
With its richly embellished baroque facades, tight
watchmakers‘ alleyways and romantic nooks, the
historic old town provides the ideal setting for a grand, authentic, celebration of a bygone era. A feast for the eyes, ears and palate, all in one.
Groups from near and
far meet up for parades,
shows, markets, concerts,
dancing and games – all
in the robes and garments
of the time. On show are
gendarmes and farmers,
jugglers and artists, barbers and craftsmen and,
of course, the men who
brought Friedberg wealth
and prestige – the
Every three years
(since 1989)
old and young
celebrate the
baroque and
the rococo
in historic
garb.
Link with the past: Friedberg‘s townsfolk
demonstrate daily life in the 17th and 18th
century.
A dip into history – and into the cold and
wet: a Friedberg VIP at the Baker‘s Dip
watchmakers. Visitors listen to traditional instruments, hear antiquarian tools resound through the lanes, and enjoy the culinary delights of
baroque artistic baking.
The festival illustrates the Friedberg way of life, a combination
of tradition and civic pride mixed
with vitality and cosmopolitanism. “Friedberg Past” is a slice
of identity for the townsfolk and
a tourist highlight for visitors
from around the world.
Old skills revived: above the bricklayer‘s
craft, right the town scribe.
Friedberg talking
heads: Reinhard
Klotz, „Chief Prosecutor of the old
town watch“
„Friedberg inspires me because
we take a dip into the history of
Friedberg every three years as
the town watch. The town festival
unites the active participants into
one big community, and you can
feel this between festivals, too.
Inspired by the guild meetings, you
always get some great ideas for
making the festival even better.“
Friedberg tips
• Friedberg Past – next edition:
9th – 18th July 2010
www.friedberger-zeit.de
Tradition and future
18
Friedberg – a lively town
Friedberg today:
dynamic, active, hospitable
Friedberg offers its residents and visitors
far more than history and tradition. Over
time the town’s population has increased
to approx. 29,000 living in a modern,
forward-thinking community in the centre
and the 13 urban districts. The A 8 motorway upgrade, with the new junction for
Friedberg, is bringing excellent opportunities for business startups which are creating jobs in the new business park on Lake
Friedberg, not far from Augsburg.
Above: Fitnes Day in May
Centre: Solstice Potters‘ Market in June
Below: Friedberg ChristmasMarket
Friedberg tips
• Friedberg Fitness Day (May)
• Solstice Potters‘ Market (June)
• Friedberg Music Summer
• Friedberg Half Marathon (September)
• Friedberg Christmas Market
• Friedberg Sculpture Trail (every 2 years)
19
Munich, the Bavarian capital with its
major airport, is only 60 k away and
quickly reached.
The former “Old Bavarian ducal city”
nowadays particularly encourages youth
and sport, is extremely open to the arts
and has for years been passionate about
music. A broad range of events (see
Friedberg tips) have made an established
name for themselves throughout the
region and illustrate how modern, liberal,
and increasingly important Friedberg has
become. Friedberg looks forward to welcoming visitors to the town – families,
groups and individuals. Visit Friedberg
and be inspired!
Left: The Bear of Peace,
a project by Rose Maier
Haid. Above right: The
„Fat Girl“ in Friedberg‘s
Ludwigstrasse – a
sizeable attraction.
Below right: Musical
entertainment – jazz at
the „Archivhof“
Friedberg Business Park: an attractive commercial location with a
direction connection to the BAB 8.
Leisure & relaxation
20
Friedberg
Grußwort – a friendly town on the Romantic Road
The region: a land of culture
and a cyclist‘s paradise
Friedberg lies, one of many gems, on the
Romantic Road, Germany’s best-known and
most popular holiday trail. The route from
Würzburg to Füssen in the Alps is a journey
through time and through culture, nature
and culinary pleasures. The latter trio are
also, and particularly, well represented
in our local Wittelsbach region with its
streams and riverside woodland nestling
amongst the rolling, bucolic hills. Many of
Below: a chapel in Griesbachmühle
Friedberg – offene Stadt
21
Waterskiing is an option on Lake Friedberg
the sights denote an eventful past... a stimulating hiking and biking
paradise in an age-old, arable land. The most recent example of this is
the “Old Bavarian Oxen Trail”, redeveloped in close partnership with the
University of Augsburg.
It is not just the local area that offers many attractions – neighbouring regions do too, and to
suit every taste, any age and all types of personality (summary on the foldout). Try it and see!
Leisure & relaxation
22
Friedberg - a friendly town on the Romantic Road
Gastronomy and hospitality:
Eating, drinking, sleeping
Discovering Friedberg is fun – and hungry
work. So why not treat yourself to a hearty
meal in a relaxing beer garden or buy fresh
seasonal foods straight from the farm?
The Wittelsbach region is known for its
directly marketed rural produce.
And, of course, for its Bavarian/Swabian
specialities. Home-made pork in aspic,
oven-fresh pork knuckle and specialities
made from Wittelsbach beef, to mention just a few examples of our regional,
culinary artistry.
Whether you prefer a gourmet
restaurant with Tuscan flair or
home-made cakes in the heart
of the old town: Friedberg will
spoil you.
Wittelsbach region
speciality chefs
Friedberg tips
For a list of accommodation, go to
www.friedberg.de. We will be happy to
send you a copy.
Tel.: 08 21 / 60 02 - 6 11
An inviting beer
23
garden is rarely
far away.
Friedberg talking heads: Victoria Fuss, Rohrbach,
Speciality chef, Wittelsbach region
„Friedberg inspires me because in this area we have maintained a
culinary tradition with a great variety of dishes. We speciality chefs
in the Wittelsbach region are committed to using absolutely fresh,
regional and seasonal produce.“
You will also find a superb choice of regional and international cuisine.
A wide range of accommodation options in every category complete the
tourist infrastructure. You can choose from hotels or well maintained
B&Bs, well equipped holiday apartments and well-priced private rooms.
Discover Friedberg
Herrgottsruh pilgrimage church
Historic town hall
Solstice Potter‘s Market
in the castle grounds
Wittelsbach Castle
Night scene by the city wall
1109
St Mary‘s fountain with
St Mary‘s column
Information: Stadt Friedberg · T. 0821/6002-611 · [email protected] · www.friedberg.de
Publisher: Stadt Friedberg Design: 11gen design, Friedberg Images: Augustin G., Elfgen L.,
Friedberger Allgemeine, Maier Haid R., Miller W., Müller W., Ratzer R., Schillinger A., Schmidt S.,
Stadt Friedberg, Touristik Arge Romantische Strasse, Ziegler A.
Leisure:
a compact town
11
3
History
The options at a glance
Key years
14
1200
1
Sport / Activities/ Nature
• Friedberg Fitness Day
• Friedberg Half Marathon
• Town swimming baths and
sauna
• Guided walks and cycle paths
• Lake Friedberg with waterskiing,
diving, beach-volleyball
• Minigolf, tennis, horse-riding
• Bowling alley
• Bachern keep-fit trail
• Geobiological nature trail
• Educational apiary
Friedberg founded
4
5
15
Markets
• Weekly market on Fridays
(Marienplatz)
• 4 Sunday markets per year
Infos
• www.wittelsbacherland.de
• www.romantischestrasse.de
• www.schwabenstaedte.de
• www.regio-augsburg.de
1300
9
14
10
13
1409
1400
1447
6
8
1500
Thirty Years War
1632 and 1646 the
town razed
1646
1700
1731-53
1754-68
Romantic Road
Cycle paths
3
2
St Afra in the Field
Baroque, 1701-1712
Lake Friedberg with
waterskiing, beach volleyball, diving, camper
P van park
4
5
6
Wittelsbach Castle
Renaissance,
mid-16th C
Friedberg Museum
Watches, faience,
regional culture, exhibitions
City wall with
battlement,
post-1400
7
8
9
Town Hall
Late-renaissance,
1674
Water tower,
watchtower, from
1888-1936 water tower
Stadthalle with
pool and sauna
Town hall rebuilt
to Elias Holl‘s
principles
Mid-17th C. to end 18th C. for 150
years Friedberg famous as watchmaker town
Lord‘s Rest church converted to rococo style
Elector Max III Joseph operates
faience factory in the castle
Oxen path
1800
2
Plague claims many victims
from amongst the population
1568
1674
Maria Alber
Baroque, 1692
Duchess Christine von
Lothringen opts to
spend her widowhood
in the castle. Centre of
courtly life
1541
1599 1600
1618-48
1632
12
1
As a cornerstone of the Bavaria-Ingolstadt part-dukedom, Friedberg
granted 2nd town charter
Castle burns down and
rebuilt in Renaissance style
7 11
Art & Culture
Wittelsbach Castle:
• Museum, temporary exhibitions
• Friedberg Art Show
• Sculpture trail (every 2 years)
• Art exhibitions
• Bear of Peace Museum
• Solstice Potters‘ Market
• Live in the Castle Grounds
• Friedberg Music Summer
• Folk Festival
• Friedberg Christmas Market
• „Friedberg Past“ old town
festival
• Guided tours of the town,
brewery and church
Food & Drink
• Asparagus season
• Oxen specialities
• Shopping at the farmers’ market
• Speciality cuisine in the Wittelsbach region
From 1409 castle and city wall
extended, Friedberg granted town
charter
1264
10
11
12
St Jakob Parish
Church, neo-Roman,
late 19th C
St Mary fountain and
St Mary column, early
17th C
St Stephen „plague
church“, 1698
13
14
15
The Lord‘s Rest
pilgrimage church,
rococo, 1731-53,
P camper van parking
2.3.1868
1900
Archive Centre,
exhibitions and
events
Former Jesuit
hospital, 1676
2002
2007
Church tower collapses. Rebuilt in
neo-Roman style
Friedberg passes from Old Bavaria
to Swabia
Referendum: 60% vote to stay
in Swabia
1944
1950
1972
1978
Industrialisation: migrants from Friedberg work in Augsburg‘s machine and
wool industry
Aichach-Friedberg district, regional reform
2000
Communal-regional reform: 9 new urban districts
After Völs 1959, Friedberg/Styria 1966,
Bressuire 1992, Chippenham 1992, in 2002
twinned with La Crosse.
The town of Friedberg takes ownership of
Wittelsbach Castle.