Imperial City of Cologne

Cologne was the seat of a bishopric by the 4th century and an archbishopric by the 5th century. In the mid 10th century, the archbishop was recognized as the secular ruler over most of the left bank of the Rhein between Bonn and Neuss, including the city of Cologne itself. The city was walled beginning in 1182 and became the most populous city in the German-speaking world.

 

In 1288, however, the archbishop suffered a defeat in the Battle of Worringen and lost control over the city of Cologne (defined as the territory within the wall). In 1476, Cologne was formally recognized as a free imperial city. It remained such with virtually no boundary adjustments until the French occupation in 1794. It was not subdivided.

 

Master list of countries and subdivisions in the Cologne region