Germany > Speyer

Speyer

Speyer is a town in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, with approximately 50,000 inhabitants. Located beside the river Rhine, Speyer is 25 km south of Ludwigshafen and Mannheim. Founded by the Romans, it is one of Germany's oldest cities. Speyer is dominated by the Speyer Cathedral, a number of churches and the Altpörtel. In the cathedral, beneath the high altar, are the tombs of eight Holy Roman emperors and German kings.

The city is famous for the 1529 Protestation at Speyer.

History

Capital Speyer Languages Palatine German Government Republic Historical era Middle Ages  •  Founded ca 10 BC  •  Gained Reichsfreiheit 1294  •  Speyer Diet confirms Edict of Worms 19 April 1529  •  Protestation at Speyer 20 April 1529  •  Town razed by France 1688  •  Annexed by France 1792  •  Annexed to Bavaria 1816 1792  •  Rhenish Palatinate merged into Rheinland-Pfalz 10 August 1946

The first known names were Noviomagus and Civitas Nemetum, after the Teutonic tribe, Nemetes, settled in the area. The name Spira is first recorded in the 7th century, taken from villa Spira, a Frankish settlement situated outside of Civitas Nemetum.

Timeline

Main sights

Mayors

Since 1923 the mayor was a Lord Mayor.

Twin towns – sister cities

Speyer is twinned with:

Notable natives

Born before 1900

Born after 1900


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