The town of Gauting in Upper Bavaria has been around for centuries, dating back to 753 A.D.
The southern edge of Gauting is considered to be the traditional birthplace of none other than Charlemagne (though historical records are none too accurate and Gauting is one of the FIVE cities thought to be his birthplace).
It wasn’t until the arrival of the railroads though that this small town that’s been inhabited since the Bronze Age, became a popular suburb of the wealthy residents of Munich.
Even though Gauting is only approximately 20 km southwest of Munich, the town itself has historical significance.
You’ll be able to travel, hike, or bike on part of the 280 kilometer road, the Via Julia, the ancient Roman Road that traveled from Günzburg, Germany to Salzburg, Austria. Maybe you’ll feel like an ancient gladiator while you’re traveling on a the 2000 year-old road.
You’ll see the years of history of Gauting through the magnificent buildings throughout the town. Though not as old as the Roman Road, the Schloss Fußberg was built in 1342, an impressive sight and shouldn’t be missed.
The Frauenkirche is a beautiful old church built in the 15th century. It was later rebuilt again, this time in a Nazi style in 1934; while the Villa Junkers was the home to Hugo Junkers, the German engineer who produced the world’s first practical all-metal aircraft.
Did you know that this town is the final resting place of many who were forced on the Dachau Death March? So many of the dead were Jewish, that the town had built a Jewish cemetery next to the town’s main one. The town somehow managed to survive the war pretty much unscathed by the Allied bombings, and some of the town’s buildings were used by U.S. forces as a TB hospital to treat some of the survivors of the Death March.
Today, Gauting is an active city of almost 20,000 people with a long history, unique culture, lively nightlife, animated cafes, and a definite flavor all its own.
