Landsberg am Lech, Germany

Landsberg am Lech is a German town that has preserved the charm and spirit of the Middle Ages. Located at the mouth of the Lech River that runs through the city, Landsberg am Lech is one of Germany's sunniest towns and it's no coincidence that it's in the middle of the Romantic Road in Upper Bavaria. Landsberg am Lech is a regional town with a population of about 30,000 people, located 55 km from Munich and 35 km from Augsburg.
Established as far back as the 12th century, Landsberg am Lech has a rich history. Because of its important strategic importance, the dukes of Bavaria supported the construction of fortress walls and impressive buildings, which arouse the admiration of visitors to the city even today. The tributaries of the Lech River through the city make it look like a small Venice and even more attractive.
As early as 1320, Landsberg received the right to impose duties on the production of salt, and thus the city gained considerable prosperity. From 1937 to 1945, Landsberg am Lech was Hitler's favorite city and was called the "Hitlerjugend" or City of Youth. And towards the end of the Second World War, one of the largest concentration camps was built in the Landsberg area, where thousands of innocent people died. However, the city is one of the few that was spared from enemy air attacks.
Because of this, the Old Town and the charming landscape are a favorite place to visit for residents of the neighboring smaller towns and for tourists from other countries. The old town is surrounded by well-preserved city walls, and the Bayertor is the largest and most beautiful gate to a city wall in southern Germany. Built in 1425 in the late Gothic style with its beautiful colorful facade, it is one of Landsberg am Lech's main attractions. In good weather, from its platform at a height of 36 m, a stunning view of the snow-capped peaks of the Alps is revealed.
The central square with its unusual triangular shape, the fountain with the figure of the Virgin Mary from 1700 and the old town hall with its exceptional Rococo facade, built by the Bavarian master builder Dominik Zimmermann, are some of the first things that captivate the visitor. The town tower from 13 century Schmalztrum remains of the first fortress wall and is like an ornament of the Old Town with its colorful roof tiles, the beautiful embroidery on the friezes and the bell.
The Assumption Parish Church is one of the most graceful in Landsberg am Lech. Remodeled in Baroque style in 1708, it impresses with its opulent interior and is well worth seeing.
The Johanniskirche Catholic Church is the work of Dominik Zimmermann and is considered one of the most fascinating creations of the Bavarian Rococo. The altars, the paintings, the oval floor, the hollow walls, the dome-shaped vault, supported by the protruding cornice, give a classical monumentality to the church interior.
The narrow streets with the picturesque differently colored houses have preserved the charm of the medieval baroque town. An interesting fact is that left-hand traffic was mandatory until the 1950s.
In the Old Town of Landsberg am Lech you can visit the Shoe Museum, which has one of the largest collections of shoes in the world. It was opened in 1995 by master shoemaker Heinrich Pflanz, heir to a family of shoemakers since 1625. The two halls of the museum have over 1,500 pairs of historical and contemporary shoes from eight centuries, including shoes of Ludwig II of Bavaria, of Austria Queen Elizabeth or Sisi and former German soccer player Lothar Matheus.
In addition to its sights, Landsberg am Lech is famous for events such as the annual Pottery Market in August, one of Bavaria's largest children's festivals held every four years, and also summer music festivals when the streets are filled with lots of music and merriment. Along the Lech River there are numerous cafes and restaurants offering the specialties of the region - the "Landsberg Ring" (pork and beef sausage with potatoes, served on sauerkraut) and the special Landsberg am Lech Gold beer, prepared according to a special recipe.
This small, unique town, with its beautiful scenery, delightful surroundings and excellent cuisine, can be a place to have a great time!