Prehistoric times[edit]

There is archaeological evidence that what is now the city of Esslingen was settled since
the Neolithic period. Traces of human settlement found at the site of the city church date back to
around 1000 B.C.

Roman times[edit]
In the 1st century AD the Esslingen region became part of the Roman Empire. During this period a
Roman warehouse was located in the area of Oberesslingen. The nearest major Roman settlements
and garrisons were at Cannstatt and Köngen.

Migration and Merovingian period[edit]

There are so far no findings from the early Alemanni period, which do exist on the Filder (uplands)
nearby. There are findings in Rüdern which suggest a rich grave with eastern influence, including,
for example, a set of three-winged spear heads. The ending "-ingen" indicates a group of people
wherein a man named Azzilo, Hezzilo or Hetsilo was landlord and family patriarch played an
influential role. This means the city's name originally meant: "the peoples of Azzilo". This name, for
the first time documented in 856 as Ezlinga and 866 as Hetsilinga ended up becoming today's
Esslingen.
In the 6th century, the Alemanni were subjugated by the Merovingians under king Clovis I. But they
still took over administrative tasks and formed a Duchy in Francia. In the 8th century they tried to
become sovereign again. But the attempt failed near Cannstatt. The end of the Alemannian duchy
was marked with the Council of Cannstatt.
In an excavation by Günter Fehring, the remains of the Vitalis-Cella under the church St. Dionysius
were uncovered. Proof of settlement dates back to the late Merovingian period. Even older are the
single row graves in Oberesslingen and Sirnau.

Middle Ages[edit]
Esslingen was first mentioned in 777 as Ezelinga in the last will of Abbot Fulrad from Saint-
Denis (near Paris), the chaplain of Pippin and Charlemagne. He bequeathed the church sixth cell
upon the river Neckar to his monastery, Saint-Denis. He also brought the bones of Saint Vitalis to
Esslingen, which made it a destination for pilgrims and led to its growth.

Territory of the Free Imperial City of Esslingen

Around 800 Esslingen became a market town, its market rights being certified in 866. In 949–953 it
was a possession of Liudolf, Duke of Swabia. Esslingen received city rights in 1229 under Emperor
Frederick II. During the same period the still-extant Neckar bridge was built, making Esslingen a
major center for trade on the route between Italy, Switzerland, and northern Germany. Taxes
provided by the bridge and market led to further growth of the town, as did the export of the highly
regarded wines from the region.
The period between the 13th century and 16th century saw many conflicts between the Free
Imperial City and the Counts of Württemberg (later Duchy of Württemberg). About half the
population lost their lives in the Thirty Years War between 1618 and 1648 through famine or
epidemics. Esslingen lost its independence as an Imperial city during the Napoleonic era in 1802–
1803, becoming part of the Duchy of Württemberg.