Augsburg is the third largest city in Bavaria, with approximately 265,000 inhabitants, and is the second oldest city in Germany, behind only Trier. It originated from a Roman military camp, called Augusta Vindelicorum, and is over 2,000 years old, having been founded in 15 BC.

It is known as "Fuggerstadt," or Fugger city, in honor of this merchant family, which in the Middle Ages was probably the richest in Europe.

It is also considered one of the three "Mozartstadt," or Mozart cities, along with Salzburg and Vienna, as the Mozart family originated from the city. The famous composer's father was born in Augsburg.

Augsburg has always grown in importance and prosperity, except during the Thirty Years' War and World War II, and played a central role during the Lutheran Reformation.