Augsburg Town Hall

Augsburg Town Hall (Augsburger Rathaus) is the landmark of one of Germany's oldest cities and one of the finest Renaissance civic buildings north of the Alps. Designed by Elias Holl, the 187-foot building with its twin onion-domed towers and golden imperial eagle dominates the main square. Inside, the dazzling Golden Hall glows beneath a gilded coffered ceiling. After a two-year renovation, the building reopened to visitors in late September 2026, making it one of the top things to do in Augsburg.

History in brief

A town hall has stood on this site since the 13th century. In 1614, the city council asked its master builder Elias Holl to replace the old Gothic building. The foundation stone was laid in 1615, the exterior was finished in 1620 and the interiors in 1624. Until 1917, it was considered the tallest secular building in Germany.

The painted imperial eagle on the gable recalls Augsburg's status as a Free Imperial City, answerable only to the emperor. The city grew rich through merchant dynasties such as the Fuggers and Welsers, who financed kings and emperors across Europe.

Allied bombing on the night of February 25–26, 1944 gutted the building, destroying nearly all of its interior. The facade was rebuilt by 1955, and the meticulously reconstructed Golden Hall reopened in 1985 for the city's 2,000th anniversary.

What to see inside

• Golden Hall (Goldener Saal): The ceremonial hall covers about 5,900 square feet and rises 46 feet. Its wooden coffered ceiling is covered in gold leaf and inset with paintings, while the walls show allegorical frescoes. Take a seat on a bench and simply look up.
• Princes' Rooms: Lavish chambers for distinguished guests adjoin the hall. One of them is currently included in the ticket; the second is still being restored.
• Ground-floor and first-floor halls: These grand vestibules host exhibitions, and a new info desk on the ground floor sells tickets.
• The square: Admire the facade from Rathausplatz, next to the bronze Augustus Fountain and the Perlach Tower (under renovation until 2028).

Recent renovation

The 2024–2026 project was the largest since postwar reconstruction. Asbestos was removed from the council chamber, and its ceiling and stone floor were redesigned after historic models. The city council approved nearly €7 million for the work.

Tickets and opening hours

As of October 2026:

• Golden Hall: daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., last entry 5:30 p.m.
• The hall closes fully or partly during official events; check the tourism website for closure days before you go.
• Admission: adults €2.50, students and children from age 10 €1 (according to Regio Augsburg Tourismus)
• Buy tickets online from Regio Augsburg Tourismus, at the tourist office on Rathausplatz, or at the info desk inside the town hall. Guided tours of the town hall are also offered.

How to get there

Augsburg lies about 40 miles west of Munich. Fast trains from Munich Hauptbahnhof take roughly 30 to 45 minutes, and regional trains are covered by the Deutschlandticket. From Augsburg Hauptbahnhof, walk about 15 minutes or take a tram to the Rathausplatz stop. If you drive, use a garage at the edge of the old town.

Is it worth visiting? Absolutely. For a few euros you get one of the most spectacular Renaissance interiors in Germany, and a visit takes only 30 to 45 minutes, which leaves plenty of time for the rest of the city.

Nearby

• Fuggerei: The world's oldest social housing complex still in use, founded by Jakob Fugger in 1521.
• Maximilianstrasse: Augsburg's grand boulevard with Renaissance fountains and the Schaezler Palace.
• Augsburg Cathedral: Home to Romanesque prophet windows, among the oldest figurative stained glass in the world.
• UNESCO water management system: The historic fountains and canals are part of a World Heritage Site.

Christmas market 2026

Augsburg's Christkindlesmarkt sets up in front of the town hall and opens on 23 November 2026 from 6 pm to 9:30 pm. After that it is open Sunday to Thursday from 10 am to 8 pm and Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 9:30 pm, until 9:30 pm on 23 December and from 10 am to 2 pm on the last day, 24 December. During the Engelesspiel, 23 angels appear on the town hall facade on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at 6 pm. More in our guide Augsburg Christmas market 2026.