Send Gift Baskets to Ulm, Germany

The oldest known settlements dating back to the Neolithic period date as far back as 5000 BC. Many of these settlements are located in what is today the city of Ulm. Ulm is home to a lot of historic events, the earliest being in 854 AD. That was when King Louis the German signed a document in the King’s palace called ‘Hulma’ in Ulm’s Duchy of Swabia. Eight years later he declared Ulm an Imperial City- making it one of few places on Earth to be so recognized.

Ulm seized its significance in its time since it was the place where German royalty and emperors would stay when they would visit. Later on, Ulm transformed into a city of merchants who traded their goods and craftsmen who specialized in crafting beauty items. The Ulm agreement is among one of the first examples of law that comprehends the local conditions. The document dates back to 1397 and was created by patricians under guild masters. The constitution of Ulm considered an early city constitution and the beginning of the construction of Ulm Minster, financed by the inhabitants of Ulm themselves rather than by the church, demonstrates the assertiveness and new outlook on life led by Ulmingers at this time. Ulm prospered in the 15th and 16th centuries, largely due to the import of high-quality textiles. It was situated at a transportation center that connected it with other important trading roads. These centuries, during which many important buildings were raised in Ulm, also represented the zenith of art in Ulm, especially for painters and sculptors like Hans Multi-Scher and Jörg Syrlin the Elder. During the Reformation, Ulm became Protestant in 1530. After the establishment of new trade routes following the discovery of the New World, and after the outbreak and consequences of the Thirty Years’ War, The city began to decline gradually. In 1701 during the War of Spanish Succession, the French and Bavarians fought each other repeatedly but also Hungary and Prussia as well.

The city was alternately occupied by French and Austrian forces after the French Revolution. It lost its status as an Imperial City in 1803 and was absorbed into Bavaria. In the battle of 1805, Napoleon managed to trap the invading Austrian army and forced it to surrender in the Battle of Ulm. In 1810, Ulm was incorporated into the Kingdom of Württemberg. It lost districts on the other side of the Danube which became known as Neu-Ulm (New Ulm).