Once upon a time there was a rich man named Jakob Fugger who was very rich and powerful and also a Count in the Holy Roman Empire. This guy is considered one of the richest guys ever. He lived in the early 1500's.
Now unlike some rich people, Jakob had a good side. He was a Catholic which is important to this story. In 1516 he built Fuggerai "as a place where the needy citizens of Augsburg could be housed". By 1523, 52 houses had been built.
Eventually it expanded. A square and church were added. A wall was built around it with gates. It become like like a small medieval town. People were only charged what would have been equivalent to 87 cents a year, equal to one months pay back then.
The main rule Jakob made was that the price would never go up and the place would exist forever. So the rent remains 87 cents a year for tenants to this day, 500 years later.
It now consists of 67 houses, 147 apartments. About 150 people live there. There is a church. The rules he made were:
1) You had to be Catholic (they were a minority in Augsburg and lived poorly)
2) You had to have good standing in the community
3) You had to be poor.
4) You had to do some job in the complex part time.
The houses have 2 stories, an apt on each level, consisting of a living room, kitchen, bedroom and small extra room. Originally they didn't have bathrooms but they do now. It was communal. The first floor has a back garden. The 2nd floor has use of an attic.
The gates close at 10 pm. Anybody trying to get in after 10 is fined.
If you visit there is a museum with a model of the original apartments. Then there is another model with the modern version. Both are very well done. It's obvious that he wanted them to live in quality places and that continues today.
People of all ages live there and can stay as long as they want. There is a social worker to help. There is a resident council and administration.
Nineteen generations later, the Fugger family still runs it and there is a foundation that supports it through investments. Jakob put money in an account for investment way back in the 1500's. His nephew set up a financial structure to insure the future of the community. Amazing!
The end.
Pictures: 1) street with homes
2) All the homes look alike. People would go in other peoples places by mistake. So the made a door knocker on a string. Ever place has a different pull design. Problem solved.
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September 06, 2022 at 08:41PM
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