Der Botschafter

Uninformed members a good club do not make

Issue 1/2021

Die Fuggerei, , Germany In In 1521 the complex was donated to the city 1516, , a wealthy Augsburg with the understanding that the Fugger merchant, had the charitable idea to create a family would continue to own and run it, and debt-free community for the city’s needy that the Fuggerei was meant to last forever Catholic workers. They could live here without with no changes to the rent, rules and the stress of living in an expensive place on a regulations. too-low salary. Construction began imme- Today a tour around the Fuggerei shows diately on what Fugger called the Fuggerei, visitors not just the historical complex, but a walled town within the city of Augsburg. also some of the more unique aspects of it. Residents paid one Rheinicher Gulden Because every building and the doors looked annually, (0.88 Euro today, and a one-month identical, residents would try to enter the salary for laborers of the time) for which they wrong apartment. As a result, each got an apartment and the security of not apartment door was outfitted with a different having to struggle for money. shaped wrought iron doorbell pull. The Nearly 500 years later, the Fuggerei is the residents could literally feel if they were at the world’s oldest social housing complex. It proper door. Visitors may also enjoy seeing houses needy Augsburg residents, who still the hand-pump wells that residents started pay only 0.88 Euro per year. Today there are using in the 1700s to get their water. Also about 150 residents of all ages and marital available are some of the original Gothic status, 67 buildings and 147 apartments of address numbers from the 1500s, a cast iron 500-to-700-square-feet. To apply you must fountain from 1744, a school, a hospital, a have lived in Augsburg for at least two years. restaurant a beer garden, and a church. Once accepted residents still need to follow The Fuggerei complex has three museums. the original rules from the 1500s: saying three One is a model apartment displaying what a prayers a day (the Lord’s Prayer, Hail Mary fully furnished apartment looks like today. and the Nicene Creed) for Jakob Fugger and Each apartment has a bedroom, a living the current Fugger family. One also needs to room, a full kitchen, and a bathroom with a work a part-time job in the community. shower or tub. Apartments on the lower floor Other conditions to living in the Fuggerei have a garden patio space in the backyard, were: You had to be Catholic, have a low and apartments on the upper floor have use income, no debt, and be a respectable of the attic. The second museum, the official member of society. You needed to be home Fuggerei Museum, is a historical apart- by 10 p.m., when the town gates locked, or a ment. It’s the only apartment preserved in its fee was assessed to get back in. original condition.

The three-room space has exposed timber, What’s going on around town! a kitchen with a wood burning stove that Cape Coral… Dec 31 New Year’s Eve Dinner shares heat with the living room, and a Dance with Manni Daum Trio, open bar, bedroom. The third museum, opened in formal dress $50 members 2008, is a preserved World War II bunker. January 8, 15, 22, 29 Fri evenings 6:30 – The air-raid shelter, inside the Fuggerei 10:30; dinner 5-7; bands to be advised walls, was built for residents during the Cultural Center of Tampa…all concerts at war. The exhibit, The Fuggerei in WWII— Mahaffey Theater, St. Petersburg, Florida Destruction and Reconstruction describes Orchestra how 75% of the Fuggerei was destroyed Jan 9 – Mendelsohn’s Symphony during the war, as well as the Jan 10 – A Noble Pairing Jan 16 – New Year’s Concert in Vienna reconstruction post-war. Jan 30 – Beethoven Symphony No. 4 It’s been a complicated task to keep the Fuggerei going throughout its nearly 500- Palm Beaches… Jan 17 German Bierfest in giant pavilion $30 year history. Funding for the complex has all-inclusive Alpine Express Doors open 12 transferred several times; in the beginning p.m. it was funded by interest from an Jan 24 – Frühschoppen 10:30-2:30 endowment. Since the 18th century Biergarten & clubhouse – all items à la carte. investments in forestry provide the money for maintenance and operation. The 19th Treasure Coast…Jan 16 Schlachtfest Dinner generation of the Fugger family is Dance with Permanent Affair 5 p.m. Elks responsible for maintaining the foundation Lodge #2658 and trust that Jakob established in 1520.

Admission conditions and rules have continually been adapted to the unique circumstances of time. Residents now have to hold a part-time job in the complex but they do not have to pay a fee for coming in after 10 p.m. An administrative team attends to current business and residential needs, including social education counseling. Flexibility, commit- ment and a continuing strict set of rules for A glimpse of the homes in Die Fuggerei residents keep the complex a success. PLEASE REMEMBER TO CHECK OUT OUR The Fuggerei is unique in the world. It is WEBSITE @ UGASFLORIDA.ORG an important part of the history in Charlotte Kappel Augsburg and the Fugger family. Editor [email protected]