Around 720 the Lorenzer Reichswald was designated as Franconian royal forest. This vast woodland south of Nuremberg’s Pegnitz River held immense significance. It formed part of the larger Nuremberg Reichswald. The Lorenzer Reichswald was a royal estate managed by a forest master. By 1230 or 1240 the approximately 17300 hectares were divided. Two forest master offices and later twelve forest wards were established. Families like Waldstromer and Koler held these offices as hereditary fiefs.
Over-harvesting threatened the Lorenzer Reichswald. In 1368 Nuremberg’s Peter Stromer initiated the first systematic reforestation campaign. This was a groundbreaking event in forestry history. In 1372-1396 Nuremberg acquired both forest master offices. By 1427 they controlled most rights in the Sebalder Reichswald as well. However the Burggraves of Nuremberg retained rights. They used these rights to periodically claim the entire Reichswald.
The Lorenzer Reichswald buzzed with activity. From 1296 beekeepers known as Zeidler thrived here. The abundant wild bee swarms earned both Nuremberg forests the title “the Holy Roman Empire’s bee garden”. Zeidler families received hereditary rights. They provided military service and paid “honey money” as taxes. Eventually twenty-seven Zeidler villages emerged with ninety-two Zeidler families.
The Lorenzer Reichswald supplied Nuremberg’s construction boom. Vast quantities of high-quality sandstone were needed. Quarries near Worzeldorf and Wendelstein provided the extremely hard quartz sandstone for the city walls and castle. The Lorenzer Reichswald’s sandy soil and abundant pine trees played a crucial role.
The Lorenzer Reichswald witnessed changes. In 1806 it became part of the Kingdom of Bavaria. Overuse damaged the forest again. In 1896 a pine looper moth devastated the pine monocultures. One-third of the forest had to be cleared. Replanting mostly with pine continued. The construction of the Ludwig-Donau-Main Canal in 1836 further impacted the area.
Nuremberg’s growth encroached on the Lorenzer Reichswald. After World War I suburbs like Gartenstadt and Werderau expanded into the forest. Fischbach and Altenfurt were once forest villages. Even the Langwasser district was once densely wooded. Devastating fires from 1917 to 1919 led to clearing. The area was then used for Nazi party rallies. Later it was developed into Langwasser. A major marshalling yard was also built around 1900. The construction of the Berlin-Munich Autobahn (A 9) and parts of the Amberg-Heilbronn Autobahn (A 6) further reduced the forest’s area. The military presence also left its mark.
Today the Lorenzer Reichswald remains a significant part of Nuremberg’s identity. It offers valuable recreational space. Despite changes it continues to tell a rich story of forestry history. Urban development industrialization and changing environmental factors all left their mark. The Lorenzer Reichswald has survived. It remains a testament to nature’s resilience and the enduring connection between humans and the land.