History and Historical Figures
City hall Regensburg
Bavaria is one of the oldest states in Europe. Its origins go back to the 6th century AD. In the Middle Ages, Bavaria (until the start of the 19th century Old Bavaria) was a powerful dukedom, first under the Guelphs and then under the Wittelsbachs.
Cities like Regensburg developed into cultural and economic centres of European rank. After the Thirty Years War, the Electorate of Bavaria played an important role in the political deliberations of the major powers. In the 19th century Bavaria became a constitutional monarchy and the scene of a great cultural blossoming and of political and social reforms.
After the First World War, events in Bavaria were at first dictated by the "Räterepublik", a Communist-led soviet republic, before a constitution with a parliamentary democracy came into force in 1919. During the National Socialist period, it lost its independence as a state. On 1 December 1946 a plebiscite approved the Constitution for the Bavarian Free State.
From New Bavaria to Modern Bavaria
"In 2006 we will celebrate the 60th anniversary of our Bavarian Constitution and the elevation of Bavaria to a kingdom 200 year ago. This marked the start of 200 years of development into a strong, modern and self-assured state. What our parents and grandparents accomplished, particularly during the reconstruction of Bavaria in the last 60 years, was an incredible feat. In those days everybody enthusiastically lent a hand and together worked hard for our state, the old Bavarians, the Franconians, the Swabians, our fourth "tribe", the Sudeten Germans, and all the refugees. It led to success for our state. Today Bavaria is known and esteemed the world over, it has practically become a brand name."
Ex-Prime Minister Dr Edmund Stoiber, extract from his New Year's speech on television 2005/06.
Dates from Bavaria's History
| 6th century AD |
Origins of the Dukedom of Bavaria |
| 1158 |
Henry the Lion founds Munich |
| 1180 |
Emperor Frederick Barbarossa installs Otto of Wittelsbach as Duke of Bavaria |
| 1301 - 1347 |
Ludwig the Bavarian is King and Emperor of Germany |
| 1623 |
Bavaria becomes an Electorate |
| 1662 - 1726 |
Elector Max Emanuel unfolds the splendours of the baroque in Bavaria |
| 1800 - 1815 |
The Swabian and Franconian territories become part of Bavaria |
| 1806 |
Bavaria becomes a kingdom |
| 1818 |
Bavaria is granted a constitution |
| 1825 - 1848 |
King Ludwig I makes Bavaria a centre of the arts and the sciences |
| 1835 |
The first railway line in Germany is opened between Nuremberg and Fürth |
| 1864 - 1886 |
King Ludwig II, the "Fairytale King" |
| 1918 |
Bavaria becomes a Free State |
| 1933 - 1945 |
During the National Socialist period Bavaria loses its independence |
| 1946 |
The constitution for the Bavarian Free State is approved |
Pope Benedict XVI
After more than one thousand years, a Bavarian was again elected Pope on 19 April 2005, in the person of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. Among other positions, Ratzinger, who was born in Marktl on the River Inn, was Professor for Theology in Regensburg and Archbishop of Munich and Freising before he succeeded John Paul II as Pope Benedict XVI.
