Ingolstadt

Ingolstadt is a city in Bavaria, Germany, and the capital of the district of Ingolstadt. It lies on the Danube in Upper Bavaria, about 80 kilometers north of Munich. The city has approximately 135,000 residents.

Ingolstadt has medieval origins and developed as a fortified town and commercial center. In 1472, the University of Ingolstadt was founded by Duke Louis IX of Bavaria-Landshut, becoming an important seat of learning before it was moved to Munich and incorporated into Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität. The old town preserves historic buildings and the remains of its medieval defenses, reflecting its long urban history.

In modern times, Ingolstadt became a center of industry and technology, notably hosting a major automotive production facility for Audi AG. The presence of the company has influenced the local economy and employment, contributing to the city’s economic profile in Bavaria.

The city hosts campuses of the Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt, reflecting its role as a regional education hub. In terms of transport, Ingolstadt is served by the Autobahn A9 and the mainline railway connecting Munich and Nuremberg, and it lies on a Danube navigation route that links to other Bavarian cities.