The Bavarian city of Augsburg has medieval churches, palaces and the world's oldest social housing. Rent there is only 0.88€ per year.
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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!