Kempten

Founding and Ancient Roots

Kempten is rightfully considered one of the oldest cities in Germany, vying for this title with Trier and Worms. Its history spans over two thousand years. The first written mention of the settlement appears in the works of the ancient Greek geographer Strabo around 18 AD. At that time, the city was known as the Celtic polis of Kambodunon.

Shortly thereafter, the Romans founded the city of Cambodunum here. In the 1st century AD, it likely served as the first capital of the Roman province of Raetia before the rise of Augsburg, a fact confirmed by extensive archaeological finds from that era.

Key Factors of Formation

Kempten's transformation into an important regional center was driven by a combination of geographical and political factors:

• Geography and Logistics: Its location on the banks of the Iller River in the foothills of the Alps made the city an important transport hub. Strategic roads connecting Italy with northern lands passed through it.
• Dual Authority: A unique feature of medieval Kempten was its division into two independent parts. On one side was the Free Imperial City (Reichsstadt), governed by the bourgeoisie, and on the other were the territories of the Prince-Abbey (Fürststift). This proximity created a competition that stimulated construction and trade.

Early Economy and Culture

The city's economic prosperity in the Middle Ages largely depended on trade and crafts. Kempten became known as a center for weaving: high-quality linen was produced here and exported far beyond the region. Membership in various trade unions strengthened its status.

The cultural landscape was heavily influenced by the Benedictine monastery founded in the 8th century. The monastery was not only a religious center but also an educational one, promoting literacy and the arts throughout the Allgäu region.

Historical Milestones of Kempten

• Around 18 AD — The ancient Greek geographer Strabo mentions the Celtic polis of Kambodunon, which is considered the first written evidence of the city's existence.
• 752 — The founding of the Benedictine abbey, which became the religious and cultural core for the development of the settlement on the right bank of the Iller River.
• 1289 — King Rudolf I grants the civic settlement the status of a Free Imperial City, leading to the political division of Kempten into two independent parts.
• 1525 — The historic "Great Purchase" (Großer Kauf) takes place, in which the townspeople buy their rights from the Prince-Abbot, ensuring full independence.
• 1527 — The Imperial City officially adopts the Reformation and converts to Protestantism, while the abbey part remains a Catholic stronghold.
• 1652 — Construction begins on the new Residenz and St. Lorenz Basilica — the first monumental Baroque complex in Germany after the Thirty Years' War.
• 1802–1803 — During the Napoleonic restructuring and secularization, both parts of Kempten lose their sovereignty and become part of Bavaria.
• 1818 — The final legal and administrative unification of the former Imperial City and the Abbey-City into a single Kempten takes place.
• 1852 — The city's connection to the Ludwig South-North Railway provides a powerful boost to the development of industry and trade.
• 1977 — Kempten University of Applied Sciences opens, strengthening the city's status as the educational center of the Allgäu region.
• 1983 — The Archaeological Park Cambodunum (APC) is officially opened, turning the Roman-era excavations into an accessible open-air museum.

Key Stages of Development and Transformation

The history of Kempten is a journey from an ancient metropolis to a modern educational and economic hub of the Allgäu region. Below are the main milestones that defined the city's current appearance and status.

• Roman Urbanization (1st century AD)
  The establishment of the city of Cambodunum laid the foundations for urban planning. During this period, stone public buildings, a forum, baths, and temples were constructed, making the settlement the administrative and cultural center of the province of Raetia long before most German cities appeared.
• Formation of the "Double City" Structure (13th–18th c.)
  The unique coexistence of the Imperial City (trade and crafts) and the Prince-Abbey (religious and administrative) led to the creation of two independent city centers with their own squares, town halls, and architectural styles, which are still visible in Kempten's topography today.
• The "Great Purchase" and Economic Freedom (1525)
  The townspeople buying their rights from the Prince-Abbot for the enormous sum of 32,000 guilders was a turning point. This event not only secured the independence of the civic part of the city but also stimulated the development of local self-government and entrepreneurship.
• Baroque Transformation (mid-17th century)
  Following the destruction of the Thirty Years' War, Prince-Abbot Roman Giel launched a massive construction program. The building of the monumental Residenz and St. Lorenz Basilica transformed the monastic part of the city into a Baroque jewel, setting new architectural standards for the whole of southern Germany.
• Administrative and Urban Unification (1818)
  The final merger of the two parts of the city into a single municipality allowed for infrastructure optimization. The old dividing walls were demolished, marking the start of a comprehensive development of the street network and the formation of a cohesive urban space.
• Industrialization and the Railway Boom (from 1852)
  Connecting to the railway network turned Kempten into a logistics hub. This facilitated the transition from weaving to mechanical engineering and, most importantly, the city's emergence as the center of the dairy and cheese industry in Allgäu.
• Becoming a University City (1977 — present)
  The opening of the Kempten University of Applied Sciences (Hochschule Kempten) changed the demographic and economic profile. The influx of students and the development of knowledge-intensive industries transformed the old industrial city into a modern center for innovation and services.

Architectural Character: A City of Two Eras

The urban development of Kempten is unique in Germany. For centuries, two independent centers evolved side by side: the Catholic abbey-city on the hill and the Protestant imperial city by the river. This historical rivalry created a distinctive ensemble where dense medieval buildings sit alongside spacious Baroque squares.

Ancient Heritage: The Roman Period

While the residential quarters of that time remain hidden underground, the layout of ancient Cambodunum served as the foundation for the region's further development.

• Era: 1st–3rd centuries AD.
• Style: Roman provincial architecture.
• Features: A strict geometric street grid, the use of stone, and advanced engineering systems (hypocaust).
• Key Landmarks: Archaeological Park Cambodunum (APC) featuring a reconstructed Gallo-Roman temple district and small thermal baths.

The Imperial City: Gothic and Renaissance

The civic part of the city (Reichsstadt), located in the lowlands by the Iller River, has preserved the spirit of the medieval bourgeoisie. It is dominated by historically dense buildings and narrow, winding streets.

• Era: 13th–16th centuries.
• Style: Gothic transitioning into Renaissance.
• Features: High gabled roofs, bay windows, courtyards, and remnants of the city walls.
• Key Landmarks:
  • St. Mang's Church (St.-Mang-Kirche): The landmark of the old town with a high tower (Romanesque foundation, Late Gothic upper tiers) and an interior later redesigned in the Rococo style.
  • Town Hall (Rathaus): A building dating back to 1474, combining Gothic construction with timber-framed elements and a Renaissance facade.
  • Burghalde: The ruins of fortifications on a hill that served as the citadel of the imperial city.

The Abbey-City: A Triumph of Baroque

The monastic part of the city (Stiftsstadt) was effectively rebuilt in the mid-17th century. This was Germany's first large-scale urban planning project following the Thirty Years' War, setting the tone for South German architecture.

• Era: 17th–18th centuries.
• Style: Early Baroque and Rococo.
• Features: Monumentality, symmetry, wide squares, and rich stucco decoration. The architecture here was designed to demonstrate the grandeur of ecclesiastical power.
• Key Landmarks:
  • St. Lorenz Basilica (Basilika St. Lorenz): The first major Baroque church in Germany. Its massive dome, twin towers, and harmonious nave became a benchmark for the style.
  • Residenz: The magnificent palace complex of the Prince-Abbots with its State Rooms (Prunkräume), representing one of the finest examples of Baroque palace architecture in Bavaria.
  • Orangery: An elegant building in the Hofgarten park that completes the palace ensemble.

Unification and Industrialization

In the 19th century, after the merger of the two parts of the city, the architectural focus shifted to connecting the separate districts and industrial development.

• Era: 19th – early 20th century.
• Style: Historicism, Neoclassicism, Jugendstil.
• Features: Building up the vacant lots between the former rival cities, the construction of administrative buildings, bridges over the Iller, and industrialist villas.
• Key Landmarks: The Kornhaus — a former grain warehouse (built during the Baroque period but actively used during the industrial era), now converted into a museum and exhibition center.

Notable Figures of Kempten

Kempten's rich history is inextricably linked with the names of people who made significant contributions to the development of the city, science, art, and sports. From Baroque-era rulers to modern Olympic champions, these figures have brought fame to the Allgäu region far beyond its borders.

• Roman Giel von Gielsberg (1612–1673)
  Prince-Abbot, reformer, and urban planner.
  He was the initiator of Kempten's large-scale revival after the devastating Thirty Years' War. By inviting the best masters of his time, Gielsberg began the construction of the monumental Residenz and St. Lorenz Basilica, turning the monastic part of the city into Germany's first major Baroque ensemble.
• Franz Georg Hermann (1692–1768)
  Court painter.
  A Kempten native who was educated in Italy, he became the primary master of monumental painting in the city. He created the magnificent frescoes in the State Rooms of the Residenz and in St. Lorenz Basilica. His work defined the visual style of Swabian Baroque and Rococo.
• Claude Dornier (1884–1969)
  Aircraft designer and aviation pioneer.
  The famous engineer was born in Kempten. He went down in history as the creator of all-metal aircraft and giant flying boats (including the legendary Do X). His innovations laid the foundation for modern civil aviation. A local gymnasium is named in his honor.
• Ernst Mayr (1904–2005)
  Evolutionary biologist.
  Born in Kempten, this scientist became one of the key figures in 20th-century science. He is often called the "Darwin of the 20th century" for his decisive contribution to the modern evolutionary synthesis. Mayr lived to be 100 years old and left behind a vast scientific legacy.
• Heini Klopfer (1918–1968)
  Architect and ski jumper.
  A talented athlete and engineer who lived in Kempten. He became famous as a designer of ski jumps around the world (approximately 250 projects in total). His greatest creation—the giant ski flying hill in Oberstdorf—bears his name.
• Lisa Brennauer (born 1988)
  Professional cyclist.
  A brilliant representative of modern sports and a Kempten native. Lisa is an Olympic champion (Tokyo 2020) and a multiple-time world champion in track and road cycling, inspiring a new generation of athletes in the region.