There are many important World Heritage Sites in Bavaria . No wonder, given the rich history of our federal state! King Ludwig’s magnificent castles are world-famous, and the breathtaking nature around the Alps is unique in Germany. But some UNESCO World Heritage Sites are less well known. Did you know that Augsburg’s water management system is one of them? The city is, of course, widely known for its culture and history, but a World Heritage Site is rarely so technical. The water management system documents over 800 years of water use in the city – from the late Middle Ages to the present day. It is a technical and architectural masterpiece that has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since July 6, 2019.
The core concept: separation of drinking water and industrial water
Augsburg and water simply belong together. The city recognized early on that water can be unclean—long before bacteria were discovered. As early as 1545, the city introduced a strict separation between drinking water and industrial water. However, the canals were first mentioned as early as 1276.
Drinking water was obtained from springs in the city forest and fed into the city via separate pipes. Industrial water, on the other hand, came from two smaller rivers and was used via a canal system for mills, crafts, and waste disposal .
A UNESCO World Heritage Site consisting of 22 objects
UNESCO recognized the Augsburg water management system for its continuous innovation. The separation of water was accompanied by more and more progress. Craftsmanship was accelerated by the power of mills, and Augsburg continues to benefit from renewable energy supplies to this day. The technology made the city a pioneer: in modern times, Augsburg was a European leader in hydrotechnology.
Interestingly, the system has never been completely replaced, but has been continuously expanded and modernized over the centuries. Today, you can still see the canal system, which is over 200 kilometers long. Water technology has shaped Augsburg to such an extent that the city has over 500 bridges, even more than Venice! The water towers also dominate the cityscape: Augsburg has the oldest water towers in Central Europe.
The World Heritage Site comprises a total of 22 individual stations spread across the city and the region. These include weirs, water pumping stations, power stations, fountains, and a canoeing course. The latter was created in 1972 for the Olympic Games in Munich. An old canal was converted into the world’s first artificial whitewater canoeing course. To discover the World Heritage Site for yourself, four different GPS-guided tours take you through the city. Try it out and experience almost 800 years of history!