Gersthofen

Gersthofen is a municipality on the western bank of the Lech River near Augsburg, comprising five districts: Batzenhofen, Edenbergen, Gersthofen, Hirblingen, and Rettenbergen. The town spreads across varied landscapes with a mix of urban and rural areas.

The first written mention of the settlement appears in 969 in a papal document from Bishop Ulrich. Archaeological findings from a grave discovered in 1932 confirm the presence of Alemanni people in the area since the 3rd century.

The town's name comes from an early local leader called Gerfred, whose influence is rooted in the region's medieval past. Residents today maintain a connection to this naming tradition as part of their local identity.

The municipality sits about 7 kilometers north of Augsburg and is easily accessible through good road connections. Visitors benefit from direct links to the city and can explore the region conveniently by car.

Swiss physicist Auguste Piccard chose Gersthofen in 1931 as a launch site for his groundbreaking stratospheric balloon flights. These scientific experiments made the town an important location in aviation history.

Location: Augsburg

Elevation above the sea: 469 m

Shares border with: Neusäß, Aystetten

Website: http://gersthofen.de

GPS coordinates: 48.42482,10.87786

Latest update: December 20, 2025 12:23