Karlsruhe, a former capital (Germany)

Karlsruhe was founded in 1715 and became the capital of the Margraviate of Baden-Durlach in 1718. 

The Margravate of Baden-Durlach originates from the division of the Margraviate of Baden in 1535. In 1771 the Margraviate of Baden-Durlach was again unified with the Margraviate of Baden-Baden to form again the Margraviate of Baden, of which Karlsruhe became the capital. In 1803 it was raised to an electorate and in 1806 it formed with newly added territories the Grand Duchy of Baden. In 1918 it became a republic, which it stayed until the abolition of the German States under the Nazi rule in 1933. After World War II and the following decentralisation the former territories of the Republic of Baden were split between South-Baden in the French occupation zone and Württemberg-Baden in the United States occupation zone. Karlsruhe was then part of Württemberg-Baden. In 1952 South Baden, Württemberg-Baden and Württemberg-Hohenzollern were merged into the new German State of Baden-Württemberg.

Karlsruhe is today the second largest city of Baden-Württemberg and the twenty first largest in Germany. Its traditional layout has remained in big parts until today earning it the name "fan city". The city is home to Germany's two highest courts, the Federal Constitutional Court and the Federal Court of Justice. In 2015 celebrates Karlsruhe its 300th founding anniversary.