Life in Lechviertel was nourished by its waterways. The canals and mills in this old neighbourhood helped to run leather tanners and butcher houses in and around Augsburg, and Lechviertel housed the workers’ quarters. On this walking tour down the Old Town’s quaint canal-lined streets, you’ll hear the stories beneath the surface of this picturesque part of the city. The tour starts next to Augustusbrunnen (Augustus’ Fountain) on Rathausplatz, the cobbled square at the heart of the Old Town. You’ll see buildings by Augsburg’s Renaissance master, Elias Holl, and meet past residents including prison inmates, courageous women, and selfless benefactors. As you make your way along pretty side streets you’ll learn about the city’s fortifications, and how water sustained craftsmen in the Middle Ages and, later, the wealthy households in the upper town in 1599. Before making your way to the Basilica of SS. Ulrich and Afra where the tour ends, you’ll see water towers from the 1200s at the Red Gate, a UNESCO World Heritage Site today. On this two-hour tour, you’ll have a chance to: • Gaze upon the Renaissance Augsburg Town Hall • Pass by the Stadtmetzg, a former butcher house dating back to the early 1600s, considered Europe’s most modern at the time • Spot watering holes for horses and their riders • Take in a textile factory that looks like a palace • Discover churches and convents, each with their own stories • See a yard dedicated to coopers • Learn about the historic water towers that once attracted scholars from all over Europe Having moved to Augsburg a few years ago, I love to explore new parts of this beautiful town as often as I can. This walk is my absolute favorite, and I hope you’ll enjoy it too. While there are only a few cafés and eateries on this route, there are several drinking fountains. Do bring a cup or a bottle, so you can taste Augsburg’s water. It’s quite special in that it needs no additional treatment after being drawn from its source.