13561356 · Nuremberg

Golden Bull and imperial Nuremberg

The Frauenkirche clock in Nuremberg, whose figures of the seven electors honour Emperor Charles IV — Photo: Rebecca Kennison. CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

At diets in Nuremberg and Metz in 1356, Emperor Charles IV issued the Golden Bull, fixing how seven prince-electors chose the German king and requiring each new ruler to hold his first diet in Nuremberg. It served as the Holy Roman Empire's basic law until 1806. From 1424 the imperial regalia were kept in the city, below the castle where emperors stayed.

Political History
Royalty & Monarchy
Architecture & Urban History
Nuremberg, Germany

Sites

Site 1: Imperial Castle (Kaiserburg)Romanesque double chapel, imperial halls and the Sinwell Tower above the old town.Map ↗
Site 2: Frauenkirche, HauptmarktCharles IV's church, built over the synagogue razed in 1349; at noon clock figures of electors circle him.Map ↗