Helmstedt - Academia Julia

Helmstedt developed near the monastery of St. Ludgeri, which was probably founded around 800 by St. Liudger. For centuries there was a connection to the Werden Abbey, also founded by St. Luidger.

Helmstedt was first mentioned as Helmonstede in 952. Until 1490, the abbots of the Werden-monastery were still the lords of Helmstedt, who then ceded their rights to the dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg.

In the course of the throne dispute between the Guelphs and the Staufers, the city was almost completely destroyed at the turn of the year 1199/1200 by troops of the Magdeburg Archbishop and Philip of Swabia. After reconstruction, the city's fortifications were strengthened to withstand a siege in 1279. After years of war, the abbot of Werden, who acted as a mediator between the warring parties, was killed by enraged citizens in 1288. As a result, the city and its citizens were subjected to imperial ban, which was not lifted until 1290 by King Rudolf I.

Helmstedt developed into a trading town at an early stage. Between 1426 and 1518, it was a member of the Hanseatic League.

The university "Academia Julia" was founded by Duke Julius in 1576. The university significantly shaped life from 1576 to 1810 in the city. The dukes brought famous scholars to Helmstedt such as Georg Calixt, and polymath Hermann Conring and even Giordano Bruno, who advocated the teachings of Copernicus and therefore ended up at the stake in Rome years later. All these scholars published their notable works on the university printing press set up by the duke and owned by the master Jacob Lucius.

Fundamental changes occurred during the "French period" from 1806 to 1813. Jérôme Bonaparte, Napoleon's brother, ruled the Kingdom of Westphalia, to which Helmstedt belonged. By his order, university operations were finally suspended.