In 1146 a humble settlement called Snigelingen first appeared in records. This is Schniegling. We stand today where its history unfolded.
Schniegling a quiet western Nuremberg suburb has a rich past. It wasn’t always part of the larger city. For centuries it existed independently. Its name derives from its founder Snigilo a person lost to time but not to memory.
In 1281 Burggraf Friedrich III of Nuremberg acquired Schniegling. This marked a turning point. The small village became linked to the growing power of Nuremberg. By 1427 the Reichsstadt Nuremberg officially claimed Schniegling. The small community then became part of a larger entity. This changed its governance and its future.
Later Schniegling became Prussian in 1796. Imagine the shifts in power. The change of rulers would have deeply affected the people of Schniegling. The original settlement consisted of a mill and a few farms. A Zainhammerwerk a type of hammer mill was added later along with other businesses and stately homes.
By the late 18th century Schniegling boasted 13 properties. Three were stately homes. One was the Zainhammerwerk. There were also farms a Spiegelschleife (a glass grinding shop) a polishing workshop and the mill. Two houses completed the modest settlement.
Legal disputes arose regarding jurisdiction. The Brandenburg-Ansbach Oberamt Cadolzburg claimed high court authority. The Reichsstadt Nuremberg strongly contested this. In the end the Amt der Vesten (the Office of the Fortress) of Nuremberg held sole land ownership.
Schniegling’s development continued. It became a Steuerdistrikt (tax district) in 1808 including Doos. The Ruralgemeinde (rural municipality) Schniegling was formed at the same time. It was administratively and judicially connected to the Landgericht (regional court) Nuremberg. It was financially tied to the Rentamt Fürth (tax office).
The area’s governance shifted again. The Bezirksamt Nuremberg (district office) took over administration in 1862. The Landgericht Nuremberg (later the Amtsgericht) retained judicial power. The Rentamt Nuremberg handled finances from 1871. Finally in 1899 Schniegling officially became part of Nuremberg.
Today Schniegling retains a unique character. Its past lingers in its architecture. We can still see echoes of its history in the buildings that survived. Think of the former Dannreuther’s stately home or the Serz’s mansion. The area is a reminder that even small communities have compelling narratives waiting to be discovered.