The history of the City of Speyer

Speyer is a unique city, with two thousand years of history, an Imperial Cathedral, a vibrant ecclesiastical history and an attractive natural setting – as you will soon see! The city’s origins date back to Roman times. Caesar set up a military camp here in 58 B.C., and the city remained under Roman control for a long time. In the year 343, Speyer became a diocesan town – the name “Spira” first appeared on records in the 6th century. During the Middle Ages, Speyer became an important trading post on the Upper Rhine. Among the goods changing hands here were fabrics, wine, spices, ceramics and weapons. The slave trade was also flourishing at the time. In the year 1294, the emperor granted Speyer the rights of a free imperial city, thereby ending the rule of the bishops.