Füssen

Füssen is a town in Bavaria, Germany, in Ostallgäu, one kilometre from the Austrian border. The town is known for violin manufacturing and as the closest transportation hub for the Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles. As of 2024-12-31, the town has a population of 15,287.

Füssen
Town
October 2009 aerial view of Füssen
Coat of arms
Location of Füssen within Ostallgäu district
Füssen Show map of Germany Füssen Show map of Bavaria
Coordinates: 47°34′N 10°42′E
Country	Germany
State	Bavaria
Admin. region	Schwaben
District	Ostallgäu
Government
• Mayor (2020–26)	Maximilian Eichstetter[1] (CSU)
Area
• Total	43.52 km2 (16.80 sq mi)
Elevation	808 m (2,651 ft)
Population  (2024-12-31)[2]
• Total	15,287
• Density	350/km2 (910/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+01:00 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+02:00 (CEST)
Postal codes	87629
Dialling codes	08362
Vehicle registration	OAL, FÜS, MOD
Website	stadt-fuessen.de

Geography

Lech Falls in 1857.

Füssen is on the sides of the Lech River, which flows into the Forggensee. The Forggensee is a man-made lake which was built to prevent flooding.^[source?] It is the drainage area for all the melting snow in the spring, and is drained after the middle of October.

Füssen at night with Ammergau Alps-mountains Tegelberg (left) and Säuling (right); in the middle Neuschwanstein Castle

Füssen is 808 meters (2,651 ft) above sea level, surrounded by mountains of the Ammergau Alps. The castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau are near the town. At latitude 47°34 N it is one of the southernmost towns in Germany, at about the same latitude as Seattle, Washington, United States.

St. Mang Basilica.

St Mang's Basilica and former monastery viewed from the bridge over the River Lech

The Forggensee with Füssen in the distance.

Füssen and the Lech River.

Lech Falls.

Twin towns and cities

Füssen is twinned with:^[3]

• Palestrina, Italy, since 1972
• Helen, Georgia, United States, since 1978
• Bardu, Norway, since 1997
• Numata, Gunma, Japan, since 1998
• Cremona, Italy, since 2018