Brief history of Nuremberg
The exact date of the founding or Nuremberg is unknown but probably happened around the year 1000. Due to its location at the crossing of important trade roads the city expanded and rose in importance fast. It soon became a key location in the Holy Roman Empire because the Imperial Diets ("Reichstage") were held there and courts met at its castle. Thus in 1219 Nuremberg became a Imperial Free City with special rights under Emperor Frederick II. Until 1427 the city was governed by a burgrave until the last of them Friedrich VI. sold his title to the council of Nuremberg who henceforward had the political fate of the city in its hands. Nuremberg stayed important and was often used as residence by many emperors. The years around 1470-1530 are known as the heyday of the city - even though minor conflicts and disputes did occur.During the 30 year war the area around Nuremberg was the scene for a war that lasted many years. Even though it was never taken by the conflicting parties it nevertheless suffered economically as a result of the devastation of the region. After the end of the conflict the warring parties held the peace festivities in Nuremberg. Nuremberg stayed independent until 1806 when it was given to Bavaria by the french army. Still Nuremberg developed to an important industrial centre and featured the first railway in Germany in 1835.
During the time of reign of national socialism Nuremberg was known as the city where the Reichsparteitag ("National Day of the Party") was held. Formally a day for the Nazi Party to assemble it soon became a means of state propaganda after Hitler's rise to power. Also the infamous anti-Semitic Nuremberg Law was passed here. The city was a main target in allied strategic air raids. It was severely damaged and the old town almost burned down to the ground completly. After the war the city was the scene of the Nuremberg trials against war criminals and people involved in the Holocaust.
Initial ideas to rebuild the destroyed city elsewhere were discarded and large parts of the historical parts of the city were rebuilt. Today Nuremberg counts roughly 500,000 citizens in a total area of 186,6 kmē and is a very important city in the region.
www.nuremberg.de (English)Source: www.wikipedia.org
