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World's Oldest Housing Colony Where Rent Has Remained Unchanged for 500 Years
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News18•07-10-2026, 15:28
World's Oldest Housing Colony Where Rent Has Remained Unchanged for 500 Years
- •The Fuggerei in Augsburg, Germany, is the world's oldest social housing complex where the annual rent has remained just 1 Rhenish Gulden for over 500 years, equivalent to about 80 to 85 rupees today.
- •It was established between 1514 and 1523 by Jacob Fugger, historically considered the richest person in history, to provide affordable housing for hardworking and poor Catholic citizens.
- •To live in the colony, residents must meet three strict conditions: they must be Catholic, have lived in Augsburg for at least two years, be debt-free, and pray for the Fugger family three times a day.
- •The complex features historical architecture with secure walls, two-story houses, unique doorbells designed for identification in the dark, and currently houses about 150 people.
Key Questions Answered
Residents in The Fuggerei pay an annual rent of just 1 Rhenish Gulden, equivalent to about 80 to 85 Indian rupees, a rate that has not increased for 500 years. This symbolic rent was established when the historical housing complex was founded.
To live in The Fuggerei, a person must be a Catholic, have been a resident of Augsburg for at least two years, have no debt, and agree to pray for the founder Jacob Fugger and his family three times a day.
The Fuggerei was established between 1514 and 1523 by Jacob Fugger, known as the richest person in history, to help hardworking, honest, and economically backward Catholic citizens who fell into poverty.
