Kempten

With a current population of just over 70,000, Kempten is the second-largest city in the administrative district of Swabia in southwestern Bavaria and is located in the Allgäu region on both sides of the Iller River, not too far from Lake Constance. Kempten is proud of its more than 2000 years of city history, the Roman city "Cambodunum", which was founded around 15 BC, is considered to be the historical nucleus. From the 13th to the early 19th century, Kempten was a free imperial city; until the beginning of the 20th century, flax cultivation and the textile industry played the main economic roles. During a walk through the old town, well-preserved town houses and half-timbered houses such as the Ponikauhaus and the Fürstenhof catch the eye. The Burghalde recreational area with its open-air stage and the former prince-abbot's residence are also popular and much visited.