Speyer
Speyer (German: [ˈʃpaɪɐ] ⓘ, older spelling Speier; Palatine German: Schbaija; French: Spire), historically known in English as Spires, is a city in Rhineland-Palatinate in Germany with approximately 50,000 inhabitants. Located on the left bank of the river Rhine, Speyer lies 25 km (16 miles) south of Ludwigshafen and Mannheim, and 21 km (13 miles) south-west of Heidelberg. Founded by the Romans, it is one of Germany's oldest cities. Speyer Cathedral, a number of other churches, and the Altpörtel ("old gate") dominate the Speyer landscape. In the cathedral, beneath the high altar, are the tombs of eight Holy Roman Emperors and German kings.
Speyer
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Flag Coat of arms | |
Location of Speyer | |
Speyer Speyer | |
| Coordinates: 49°19′10″N 8°25′52″E | |
| Country | Germany |
| State | Rhineland-Palatinate |
| District | Urban district |
| Subdivisions | 4 Stadtteile |
| Government | |
| • Lord mayor (2018–26) | Stefanie Seiler (SPD) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 42.58 km2 (16.44 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 92 m (302 ft) |
| Population (2021-12-31) | |
| • Total | 50,565 |
| • Density | 1,200/km2 (3,100/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
| Postal codes | 67346 |
| Dialling codes | 06232 |
| Vehicle registration | SP |
| Website | www.speyer.de |
The city is famous for the 1529 Protestation at Speyer. One of the ShUM-cities which formed the cultural center of Jewish life in Europe during the Middle Ages, Speyer and its Jewish courtyard was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2021.