Speyer is one of the oldest cities of Germany. The city arose from a military camp which was built at the Rhine banks in the year of 10 B.C. in the course of the Roman advances under Augustus from 13/12 B.C. In the Ptolemaic map the city is documented under the Celtic name “Noviomagus” (new field/new market) in the year of 150 A.C.; the name “Spira” appears only in the sixth century in an Alemannic paper. Over the centuries the city has endured many wars and epidemics, numerous peoples occupied the city at the Rhine and formed it in their own manner.

Even today you can see the influences of these multifaceted cultures at many places. Her history makes the city of Speyer a culturally precious location, that shows its visitors not only the historic Old town but also many other sights. Besides the Protestant Memorial Church and the Altpörtel (old city gate) there is of course the main attraction and the town’s landmark: the cathedral of Speyer. It was built to order of Emperor Konrad II about 1030. In the year of 1061 the cathedral was sanctified. Over the years there have always been extensions and changes at the building. The construction works for the contemporary state of the cathedral were finished in 1858. The cathedral of Speyer is the World’s biggest preserved Romanic church and was 1981 listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It is also a protected object of cultural value by the Hague Convention.

To find out more about sights in and near Speyer click here:
Worth seeing

Useful information about how to find us and about public transport is available here:
How to find us & public transportV

The official website of the city of Speyer can be found here:
City of Speyer