Nuremberg: History, Former Names & Timeline
The unofficial capital of the Holy Roman Empire, where the imperial regalia were kept for almost four centuries; in modern times known for the Nuremberg trials.
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Former names of Nuremberg
| From | Name | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1050 | Nürnberg |
Timeline of Nuremberg
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1050 | First mentioned in a document |
| 1356 | The Golden Bull requires each new emperor to hold his first diet at Nuremberg |
| 1424 | The imperial regalia are placed in Nuremberg’s keeping |
| 1471 | The painter Albrecht Dürer is born |
| 1806 | Nuremberg is annexed to Bavaria |
| 1935 | The Nazis proclaim the Nuremberg Laws |
| 1945 | The Nuremberg trials begin |
Who ruled Nuremberg
Derived from the border maps; each row runs until the next recorded border change.
| Period | State |
|---|---|
| 500 BC–401 BC | Unclaimed / no data |
| 400 BC–324 BC | Hallstatt culture |
| 323 BC–2 BC | Unclaimed / no data |
| 1 BC–99 | Roman Empire |
| 100–499 | Unclaimed / no data |
| 500–599 | Thuringians |
| 600–799 | Frankish Kingdom |
| 800–899 | Carolingian Empire |
| 900–999 | East Francia |
| 1000–1782 | Holy Roman Empire |
| 1783–1799 | Bavaria |
| 1800–1814 | Swabia |
| 1815–1879 | Bavaria |
| 1880–1913 | Germany |
| 1914–1919 | German Empire |
| 1920–1944 | Germany |
| 1945–1959 | Germany (USA) |
| 1960–1993 | West Germany |
| 1994–today | Germany |
Battles and sites near Nuremberg
- Battle of Lechfeld · AD 955
Famous people of Nuremberg
| Lived | Person | |
|---|---|---|
| 1471 – 1528 | Albrecht Dürer | Painter and printmaker |
Nearby cities
Further reading
Questions about Nuremberg
What was Nuremberg called in the past?
Nuremberg has been known as Nürnberg (from 1050). Its present name dates from 1050.
Which states have ruled Nuremberg?
On the historical border maps from 500 BC to today, Nuremberg lies within 13 different states: Hallstatt culture, Roman Empire, Thuringians, Frankish Kingdom, Carolingian Empire, East Francia, Holy Roman Empire, Bavaria, Swabia, Germany and others.
What are the key dates in the history of Nuremberg?
1050: First mentioned in a document. 1356: The Golden Bull requires each new emperor to hold his first diet at Nuremberg. 1424: The imperial regalia are placed in Nuremberg’s keeping. 1471: The painter Albrecht Dürer is born. 1806: Nuremberg is annexed to Bavaria.
Which famous people are connected with Nuremberg?
Albrecht Dürer (painter and printmaker, 1471 – 1528).
Last updated 9 November 2026. Sources: border data from historical-basemaps, land and rivers from Natural Earth; texts written for Chronica Maps from standard reference works. How we make the maps.