Memmingen history

The history of Memmingen is rooted in deep antiquity. Although Roman fortifications were once located in this territory, the modern town began to take shape as an Alamanni settlement around the 7th century. It received its name in honour of an Alamanni leader named Mammo.

The first official written mention of the place Mammingin dates back to 1128. Soon after, the settlement began to develop rapidly under the patronage of the powerful Welf dynasty, and later, the Hohenstaufens.

Key Factors of Formation

• Geographical Location: The city was strategically situated at the intersection of vital medieval routes: the "Salt Road" (from Munich and Bad Reichenhall to Lake Constance) and the "Italian Road" (leading south across the Alps). This made it a crucial logistics hub.
• Political Status: A decisive moment in history was gaining the status of a Free Imperial City in 1286. King Rudolf I of Habsburg granted Memmingen extensive autonomy, the right to administer justice, and direct subordination to the Emperor, bypassing local princes.

Early Cultural and Economic Development

Thanks to political freedoms and transit trade, Memmingen quickly turned into a prosperous merchant centre. The foundation of the early economy was the trade in salt, textiles, and commodities, as well as strong craft guilds.

Economic prosperity allowed the citizens to invest in monumental construction. Even in the early period, powerful city walls, gates, and the majestic St. Martin's Church were erected, laying the foundation for the city's unique architectural appearance.

Major Historical Milestones

The history of Memmingen is filled with events that transformed a small settlement into a thriving trade centre and a modern city.

• 1128 — First documentary mention of the place name in connection with a visit by King Conrad III.
• 1158 — Duke Welf VI founds the city within its current boundaries, giving impetus to the development of market trade.
• 1286 — King Rudolf I of Habsburg grants Memmingen the status of a Free Imperial City, reporting directly to the Emperor.
• 1445 — Completion of the massive expansion and strengthening of the city walls, many gates and towers of which have survived to this day.
• 1488 — Completion of the Gothic St. Martin's Church, whose tower became one of the highest in the region.
• 1525 — The "Twelve Articles" are adopted in the city — the first document in European history formulating human rights and the freedoms of the common people.
• 1529 — Memmingen joins the Reformation, becoming one of the centres of Protestantism in Southern Germany.
• 1630 — During the Thirty Years' War, the famous commander Albrecht von Wallenstein establishes his headquarters in the city.
• 1802 — The city loses its status of imperial freedom and is incorporated into Bavaria during the Napoleonic reorganization of lands.
• 1863 — Opening of railway connections with Ulm and Kempten, which stimulated industrial growth.
• 1945 — Start of large-scale work to restore the historic centre, which suffered at the end of the Second World War.
• 1972 — During administrative reform, Memmingen receives the status of an independent city (Kreisfreie Stadt).
• 2007 — Start of regular passenger flights at Memmingen Airport, transforming the city into an important transport hub.

Evolution and Significance of Key Stages

The development of Memmingen is a journey from a medieval trade crossroads to a modern transport hub of Bavaria. Each era has left a noticeable mark on the architecture, economy, and identity of the city.

• Era of Guilds and Trade Prosperity (14th–15th centuries)
  Thanks to its advantageous location on the "Salt Road", the city became a wealthy merchant centre. Significance: Economic power allowed for the construction of the stone historic centre we see today, and strong guilds formed a unique governance structure that influenced city politics for centuries.
• Creation of the Defensive Ring (15th century)
  Completion of the massive system of walls, gates, and towers. Significance: This not only ensured safety but also clearly defined the boundaries of the historic centre. Today, the preserved fortifications are a major tourist magnet and an urban landmark of Memmingen.
• Adoption of the "Twelve Articles" (1525)
  Writing of the first document on human rights in Europe during the Peasants' War. Significance: This event secured Memmingen the status of the "City of Freedom" (Stadt der Freiheitsrechte). This is a key element of the city's cultural brand, attracting historians and tourists.
• Industrialisation and the Railway (1863)
  Connection to the Bavarian railway network. Significance: The city expanded beyond the medieval walls. A transition from craft production to industrial manufacturing began, and new residential quarters and factories appeared, changing the economic landscape.
• Post-War Reconstruction (from 1945)
  Restoration of buildings destroyed by bombings (about 30% of the old town). Significance: The citizens chose the path of careful restoration rather than demolition, which allowed the preservation of the medieval flavour and atmosphere, making the city attractive for excursion tourism.
• Conversion of Airbase to Civil Airport (2007)
  Transformation of the former military airfield into "Memmingen Airport" (Allgäu Airport). Significance: This became the most powerful economic driver of the 21st century. The city turned into a "Gateway to the Alps" for low-cost carriers, ensuring an influx of thousands of tourists and the development of the service and hospitality sectors.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Design

Memmingen is often called the "city of gates, towers, and gables". Its urban fabric has remained surprisingly intact: the historic centre is still outlined by a ring of fortress walls and parks that grew on the site of former moats. The city's architecture vividly illustrates the transition from the austere Middle Ages to the prosperous civic Renaissance.

Gothic: Stone and Half-Timbered (14th–15th centuries)

The foundation of the old town is its Gothic heritage. It was during this period that the street layout was formed and the main vertical landmarks were erected.

• St. Martin's Church (St. Martinskirche): A masterpiece of Brick Gothic. Its massive tower, approximately 66 metres high, dominates the city skyline, and the interior retains strict Gothic vaults.
• Seven Roofs House (Siebendächerhaus): A unique example of late Gothic half-timbered architecture. The building, constructed by tanners for drying hides, is striking for its complex roof structure.
• City Gates: Preserved gates, such as the Ulm Gate (Ulmer Tor) and the Kempten Gate (Kempter Tor), represent examples of fortification architecture with elements of late Gothic.

Renaissance: Merchant Grandeur (16th–17th centuries)

In the era of economic prosperity, wealthy trade guilds and patrician families rebuilt the city, bringing secular elegance and elements of the Italian Renaissance to it.

• City Hall (Rathaus): One of the most recognisable buildings in the city. The façade is adorned with three oriel windows and a shaped gable, characteristic of the German Renaissance.
• Tax House (Steuerhaus): The former tax administration building on the Market Square. Its ground floor is designed with arcades, and the façade is decorated with paintings, demonstrating the wealth of the city in that era.
• Fugger Building (Fuggerbau): The residence of the famous Fugger banking dynasty. A strict and monumental building that served as a trading post.

Baroque and Rococo: Interiors and Details (17th–18th centuries)

Baroque in Memmingen is represented more modestly, often in the form of façade reconstruction of old buildings or the renovation of church interiors.

• Kreuzherren Monastery (Kreuzherrenkloster): A complex of buildings that received Baroque styling, especially noticeable in the stucco moulding and interior decoration of the halls.
• Paris House (Pariser Haus): A rare example for the city of a building constructed in the French Baroque style, standing out against the background of traditional German development.

Urban Planning Features

A unique feature of Memmingen is the Stadtbach (City Stream) — a watercourse running through the historic centre. In the past, it was used by craftsmen, and today it creates picturesque views, serving as a reminder of the medieval water supply system.

Historical Figures and Reformers

• Welf VI (1115–1191) — Duke of Spoleto and Margrave of Tuscany.
  Considered the de facto founder of the city. It was he who chose Memmingen as his residence in the 12th century, fortified it, and promoted the rapid development of trade, turning the settlement into a significant medieval centre.
• Sebastian Lotzer (c. 1490 – unknown) — Furrier and public figure.
  A key figure of the Peasants' War era. He co-authored the famous "Twelve Articles" — the first manifesto of human rights and freedoms in Europe, written in Memmingen in 1525.
• Christoph Schappeler (1472–1551) — Preacher and theologian.
  The spiritual leader of the Reformation in the city and an associate of Lotzer. His passionate sermons in St. Martin's Church led Memmingen to be one of the first cities in the region to adopt Protestantism.

Figures of Art and Culture

• Bernhard Strigel (1460–1528) — Renaissance painter.
  The most famous representative of the local artistic dynasty. He was the court painter of Emperor Maximilian I. His works are kept today in the world's largest museums, including the Louvre and the Alte Pinakothek in Munich.
• Josef Madlener (1881–1967) — Painter and illustrator.
  Author of atmospheric landscapes and Christmas cards. His painting "The Mountain Spirit" (Der Berggeist), acquired by J.R.R. Tolkien, served as the prototype for the creation of the image of the wizard Gandalf in "The Lord of the Rings".

Modern Celebrities and Athletes

• Franz "The Bull" Roth (born 1946) — Footballer.
  A legend of Bayern Munich in the 1960s and 70s, nicknamed "The Bull" for his physical power. He was born in Memmingen and is one of the most titled athletes in the region.
• Mario Götze (born 1992) — World-class footballer.
  A native of Memmingen who became a national hero of Germany after scoring the winning goal in the 2014 World Cup final.