FROM THE MIDDLE AGES UNTIL TODAY
The amazing history of Augsburg’s water
Human ingenuity, innovative engineering knowledge and world-class works of art: a recipe for the success of Augsburg’s water resources management system. It is rare to find a single place where the water management system is seamlessly documented over more than 800 years. In Augsburg the intricate interplay between the innovative spirit and technical tour de force is strikingly clear.
From the river
into the city
- First Lech canals
- Lech weir at Hochablass
- Waterworks at the Red Gate and Aqueduct
- Galgenablass (culvert)
More bridges than Venice
During a visit to the old town, you see them at every turn: the canals, which have already carried water in and out of the city since the 8th century. They flow through the entire city, similar to the arterial system in the human organism. The canal systems of the Lech and the Wertach rivers run parallel to one another and culminate shortly before they join at Wolfzahnau and then each one returns to its river of origin.
Canals and Lech Quarter
Very few cities in Germany have more canals than Augsburg. This is the reason that there are indeed more bridges here than in Venice. More than 500 to be sure! In the picture here is the Schwallech near St. Ursula in the old town.
Where the water comes from
Hochablass (High drainage weir) has been documented since 1346. From this point the water of the Lech is directed into the canal system. The Galgenablass (culvert) has existed since the 16th century. It is a water crossing where the drinking water and the process water are separated before flowing into the city.
Diversion and weir at Hochablass
In the 13th century Hochablass (High Drain) was already the most important diversion on the Lech for transporting process water into the canals.
The Galgenablass
The Galgenablass (culvert) is the most important water crossing in the city’s forest. At one time there was a sluice here.
Water for the upper city
Aqueduct
Separated by a wooden bulkhead, the Lech water and the spring water flowed over the aqueduct on the Red Gate and then into the city.
The waterworks at the Red Gate
The water that flowed into the city by way of the Aqueduct was sent through the water towers beginning in the year 1416. This makes the Waterworks at the Red Gate the oldest existing in Germany and also in central Europe. This is the most significant feature in the World Heritage.
Drinking water
for everyone
- Waterworks at the Red Gate
- Lower waterworks
- Augustus Fountain
- Mercury Fountain
- Hercules Fountain
- Stadtmetzg (city butchers house)
- Waterworks at the Vogeltor
The historical water piping system in Augsburg
A distribution network made out of pine logs
The water lines, so-called “Deicheln” were made primarily from wood. Only the connecting elements were metal casts.
Clean drinking water flows out of magnificent fountains
Branching out in all directions, the complex system of the water pipelines brought fresh drinking water to the fountains of the upper city. The three monumental fountains on Maximilian Street were also part of this pipeline network. Especially the Mercury and Hercules fountains were of fundamental importance for the drinking water supply to the citizens of Augsburg.
Pioneers of water technology
Beginning in the 15th century Augsburg’s fountain masters had a spirit of invention which repeatedly fostered admiration all over Europe. The reason for this was the ingenious idea to use water power to transport water.
The three water towers at the Red Gate
From here the necessary water was pumped to the upper city using piston pumps and the principle of “communicating pipes”.
The first two water towers are built at the Red Gate
After the Large Water Tower was built, starting in 1416, it became clear in the course of a few decades that it would reach its limits. In order to continue to provide enough water for the city, a Small Water Tower was built in 1470 and added on to consistently.
One water tower especially for the monumental fountains
The need for fresh water grew further as the population of Augsburg increased. In addition, the monumental fountains of the renowned Flemish sculptures, Adriaen de Vries and Hubert Gerhard were erected. Since these were also used in part to provide drinking water for the populace, the Waterworks at the Red Gate reached its limits. Thus, an extra water tower, the “Kastenturm” (Box Tower) at the Red Gate, was built in 1599 especially to provide water for the monumental fountains.
The Art of elevating water
The Lower waterworks and the Waterworks at the Vogeltor (beginning in 1774) contributed decisively to the well-functioning provision of water in Augsburg.
The Lower waterworks
The second largest waterworks in the city was built in the year 1500 near the cathedral. It provided the water for the Bishop's residence and for the entire cathedral quarter.
Technical developments in time lapse
Waterworks were the places where great technical advances in the system of water supply took place over the centuries. This spanned from the Archimedean screws to the piston pumps and all the way up to modern turbines.
A collection of models unique worldwide
Many of the admired innovations developed by the most important fountain master Caspar Walter (1706-1769), were well known far beyond Augsburg’s borders. Some of the models of his groundbreaking inventions can still be viewed today in the one-of-a-kind model exhibition at the Maximilian museum.
Artworks of universal value
The three monumental fountains show the most magnificent side of Augsburg’s water system. An ensemble of this kind can only be seen in Augsburg, so it is no wonder that they attract more international visitors every year.
Augustus Fountain
It is the largest of the three fountains and lends the town hall square its southern flair. It was created in the style of mannerism between 1589 and 1594 by the sculptor Hubert Gerhard.
Mercury and Hercules Fountains
Both of these splendid fountains were made between 1596 and 1600 by the Flemish artist Adriaen de Vries. They are late Renaissance artworks of European renown.
Aesthetics meets functionality
It is widely known as the most beautiful city butchers house in the world - the Stadtmetzg. It is a unique building that combines beauty with practicality.
The Augsburg Stadtmetzg (city butchers house)
Hardly anyone would suspect what was hiding behind this lovely Renaissance facade: the hall where the butchers in the city of Augsburg sold their meat!
New standards in hygiene and aesthetics
Augsburg’s city architect Elias Holl decorated the functional structure with a representative Renaissance facade. Between 1606 and 1609 the Stadtmetzg (city butchers house) was erected over the Lech canal. In his superb edifice Elias Holl succeeded in solving two common sanitation problems of meat processing places in that time. The flowing water served to cool the meat and keep it fresh. In addition, the fast moving waters in the Lech canal disposed of the waste quickly and efficiently.
Water power
full speed ahead
- Power plant Riedinger Senkelbach
- Power plant at the Stadtbach
- Water works at Hochablass
- Power plant at the Fabrikkanal
- Power plant at the Singold
- Power plant at Wolfzahnau
- Power plant in Gersthofen
- Power plant in Langweid
- Power plant at the Wertach
- Power plant at the Proviantbach
- Power plant in Meitingen
- Canoe course at the Eiskanal
Fuel for Augsburg's handcraft and industry
From the water wheel to the turbine
In the 14th century handcrafts and commerce grew and thrived in Augsburg. Because water wheels drove the mills, hammer and pumping stations, the city grew to an early center for textile and paper production. In the 19th century Augsburg’s abundance of water became an important locational factor for Industries. Starting in 1840 turbines provided more than ever before for the majority of the necessary energy. The result was the rapid expansion of textile and paper production as well as machinery and turbine production.
A time of departure
During the time of industrialization, the Augsburg textile industry grew rapidly, just like the twisting and sewing thread factory Göggingen, which is shown in this etching.
A new era begins
The Waterworks at Hochablass form the basis to provide a modern, clean and central drinking water supply for Augsburg’s urban area.
The waterworks at Hochablass
This factory is an internationally admired monument to industrial culture. The technical equipment originates from the Machinery Factory Augsburg (MAN).
The dawn of modern water supply
The Waterworks at Hochablass were put into operation in 1879. It delivered pure, untreated and hygienically impeccable drinking water for the citizens of Augsburg and is considered to be the birthplace for modern water supply in the city. Ground water was drawn out of the springs using two double piston pumps, then directed into cast iron basins under the machinery building and from there it was fed into the drinking water pipeline network. Today the building is a water power plant and a technical museum well worth seeing.
An architectural jewel
The Waterworks at Hochablass are not only fascinating due to their groundbreaking technology in the interior. Also the palatial exterior created by the architect Karl Gollwitzer, hints to the epic importance of this structure. The way in which form and function are combined here is especially impressive.
The first large water power plant
The Industrial Revolution in the 19th century caused the demand for energy to increase steadily. This was remedied by the creation of the first large water power plants.
Electricity directly out of a natural oasis - the Wolfzahnau
At the convergence of Lech and Wertach, the turbines in the power plant at Wolfzahnau have suppled electricity since 1901. The hydroelectric power plant is still in operation today and it is located in the nature preserve Wolfzahnau. An interesting detail: 39 cubic meters of water a second flows through the discharge canal.
From the World's Fair in Paris to the Wolfzahnau
The power plant at Wolfzahnau was the first in the Augsburg area which went into operation completely spatially independent from an industrial area. The flywheel generator which was built into the plant was celebrated at the World’s Fair in Paris 1990 as a show piece for German state of the art engineering. After the exhibition in Paris, it was acquired by the cotton spinning factory at the Stadtbach.
Electricity for the whole region
Built in 1901, the power plant in Gersthofen was the first large power plant on the Lech and it rang in the era of comprehensive coverage of electrical supply in Bavarian Swabia. First it primarily provided power for Hoechst company factory. This, in turn, attracted other large companies like the Lech Steel Works to the northern district. Many of them are still there today.
Birthplace of olympic dreams
In 1972 the Olympic flame from the Munich summer games was ignited in Augsburg.
Visitor magnet Eiskanal (ice canal)
At the Olympic canoe competition in 1972 all of Augsburg’s fans were on their feet to witness this unique spectacle.
The first artificial whitwater course in the world
At the specially built facility for the very first Olympic canoe competition, athletes from all over the world fought to win the coveted gold medal. In 1970 the first artificially created whitewater course in the world emerged out of the Eiskanal (Ice Canal), which was originally designed to keep free floating ice from entering the city. European and world championships still take place here on a regular basis.
Advancement for the best
The German national training center for canoe slalom and white water is located directly at the Olympic course. Many German medalists have prepared for their success here.
Follow us under the hashtag #fliesstbeiuns in social media and post your own impressions of Augsburg's water and the 22 stations of our UNESCO world heritage site.
Swimming at the Eiskanal (ice canal) and the Proviantbach
While the canoe slalom Olympic course is closed to swimmers due to its roaring whitewater, other parts of the Eiskanal and the Proviantbach welcome swimmers in the summer months. On hot days many people dare a refreshing jump into the cool water at the Fribbe pool.
Fountains
More than 100 large and small fountains are spread out over the entire urban area of Augsburg. On hot days they are cooling and refreshing oases. They are also meeting places and points of communication. Out of more than 20 fountains, pure Augsburg drinking water bubbles forth.
Summer evenings at the Lech canals
On balmy evenings the Lech canals are popular stopping places to conclude an evening with friends.
Drinking water quality
The drinking water in Augsburg is among the best in Europe. The tap water here is natural, untreated and pure. There is no need to shy away from comparisons to bottled water. It is usually better!
More about the water quality can be found on the pages of the Stadtwerke Augsburg (swa).
Kahnfahrt (boat trip)
The Kahnfahrt (boat trip), part of the Augsburg city moat, is one of the most beautiful places in the city. Augsburg residents enjoy taking a boat out on the water or having a cool drink on the dock. This was one of Bertolt Brecht’s favorite locations in Augsburg over 100 years ago.
If you want to make a cosy boat trip, you will find more information here.
Swimming pools / the "Alte Stadtbad" (old city pool)
It is probably impossible to find a better place to swim in style! The old city pool is one of very few remaining Art Nouveau style swimming pools in Germany. But also the multitude of other swimming pools in Augsburg are worth a visit.
You can find more about the "Alte Stadtbad" here.
Pure relaxation at the Wertach and at Kuhsee (cow lake)
Since the measures for renaturation “Wertach Vital”, the river has become more easily approachable and it has flat slopes at the shores. Many families make use of this for relaxing hours at the Wertach. Cow Lake is a popular place all year round. In the summer in and out of the water and in the winter on the ice.
