This medieval Bavarian town retains its 15th-century fortifications and market square. A former Imperial Free City with a functioning military airbase and traditional weekly markets.
In Memmingen, a medieval town in Bavaria, you'll walk past 15th and 16th-century buildings painted in yellow, pink, and blue. Stop at the Market Square to see the Renaissance town hall's triple-domed roof and the Steuerhaus's painted facade depicting biblical scenes. Watch the old town brook flow through stone channels between houses, and walk through any of the ten medieval gates along the town walls. Inside St. Martin's Church, look up at the intricate wooden choir stalls, carved by master craftsmen in the 1500s.
Getting to Memmingen
Memmingen Airport connects to European cities through low-cost airlines. Take the hourly bus from the airport to reach the town center in 15 minutes. The train station sits at the edge of the old town, with direct connections to Munich (2 hours), Zurich (3.5 hours), and Lindau (1 hour). Two major highways, A7 and A96, intersect near the town.
Walking Through the Old Town
Start your exploration at the Market Square, the center of Memmingen's old town. The 1568 town hall rises above the square with its distinctive triple domes and rows of shuttered windows. Look for the Steuerhaus (tax house) next door, where painted scenes cover the facade. Follow the town brook (Stadtbach) as it runs through stone channels in the streets, passing under bridges and between medieval buildings.
Medieval Walls and Gates
Walk along the two-kilometer defensive wall to see the ten surviving gates and towers. Climb the Hexenturm (Witch Tower), the oldest tower in Memmingen, for views across the old town. Each gate shows different architectural elements - some have simple stone arches while others include guard rooms and defensive positions.
Historic Churches
St. Martin's Church rises above the town with its Gothic spires. Step inside to see the wooden choir stalls, carved with figures and ornaments in the 1500s. Visit the Church of Our Lady to see late Gothic wall paintings and learn about its unusual past - after the Reformation, Catholics and Protestants shared the building for services. The St. Anthony monastery complex includes cloisters and a chapel, making it the most complete monastery of its type still standing.
Local Festivals
Join the annual Fischertag (Fisher's Day) in July, when 1,200 people wade into the town brook to catch fish. The winner becomes Fisher King for the year. Every four years in August, the Wallenstein Festival fills the streets with 4,500 participants in historical costumes, recreating life in 1630 through performances, parades, and military camps.
Cultural Venues
Visit the Town Museum in the Baroque Hermannsbau to see exhibits about medieval trade, local crafts, and daily life through the centuries. The Kaminwerk, housed in an old factory, puts on concerts and theatre shows throughout the year. Watch regional plays and modern drama at the Landestheater Schwaben.
Food and Drink
Try Allgäuer Käsespätzle, the region's version of egg noodles with melted mountain cheese and crispy onions. Sample wheat beer from the Memminger brewery, which has made beer in the town since 1886. Local restaurants serve Bavarian dishes like Schnitzel and Schweinshaxe (roasted pork knuckle).
