Memmingen

This town sits along the Ach River in Swabia with preserved city walls, gates and towers still marking its medieval boundaries. The streets form a grid around a central market square where churches, the town hall and half-timbered buildings from several centuries stand together.

The settlement received its town charter in 1128 and grew into a trading center for linen and grain. From 1286 to 1803 it held status as a Free Imperial City before passing to Bavaria and losing its independence.

The old town keeps its original layout with houses painted in soft colors and mansions built by merchants in the 1400s and 1500s. Fountains with historical figures stand along the lanes, and every Saturday local vendors set up stalls on the market square.

The main train station connects Munich and Zurich with direct services, and Allgäu Airport sits just outside town for international connections. The old town is easy to explore on foot, with most points of interest inside the old city walls.

In 1525 farmers and craftsmen drafted the Twelve Articles here, the first written document in Europe demanding rights for ordinary people. The text spread quickly across the empire and influenced later movements for justice and freedom.

Location: Swabia

Elevation above the sea: 601 m

Part of: Soziale Stadt, Ostallgäu, Region Donau-Iller

Shares border with: Unterallgäu, Biberach district, Landkreis Ravensburg

Address: Marktplatz

Website: https://memmingen.de

GPS coordinates: 47.98778,10.18111

Latest update: December 15, 2025 00:48