The Fuggerei earns most of the revenue it needs to survive through donations, tourism, and the sale of Christmas trees. Of particular interest are the elaborately carved door knockers on every apartment door; upon receiving a large influx of blind residents, Jakob Fugger (the original founder) ordered every house to have its own uniquely-shaped knocker; this way, blind tenants could find their house just by feeling the door.
A statue of Saint Michael, dating to the 1530s, still stands guard over the main gate; in World War II, a bunker was built for the residents beneath the streets of the Fuggerei; today the bunker is used as a storehouse and houses a small museum.
Though technically within the municipality of Augsburg, the Fuggerei has all of the trappings of an independent city: a flag and coat of arms, a unique postal code, an independently functioning city council, municipal services such as street sweepers and mailmen, and even a tiny police force and fire department.
The five gates are still closed at the traditional curfew hour of 10:00 PM every night.
REGINA | 28