List of former national capitals Capital cities
Throughout the world there are many cities that were once national capitals but no longer have that status because the country ceased to exist, the capital was moved, or the capital city was renamed . This is a list of such cities, sorted by country and then by date. Where a city name has changed, the name of the city when it was a capital is listed first, followed by its modern name in brackets.
Africa
Northern Africa
Old capital city
Country
Today a part of
From
Until
Change, reason
Fez
Dila'ite interlude, Alaouite dynasty
Morocco
1659
1672
Moved to Meknes
Mascara
Abdelkader, Emirate of
Algeria
1832
1835
Moved to Tagdemt
Tagdemt
Abdelkader, Emirate of
Algeria
1835
1847
Fez
Alaouite dynasty
Morocco
1727
1912
Moved to Rabat
Marrakesh
Almoravid dynasty
Morocco
1070
1147
Moved to Fez
Tinmel
Almohad Caliphate
Morocco
1121
1147
Moved to Marrakesh and Seville
Marrakesh
Almohad Caliphate
Morocco
1147
1269
Moved to Fez
Altava
Altava, Kingdom of
Algeria
578
708
Béjaïa
Béjaïa, Emirate of
Algeria
1285
1510
Kalâa of Ait Abbas
Beni Abbas, Kingdom of
Algeria
1510
1872
Benghazi
Cyrenaica, Emirate of
Libya
1949
1951
Memphis
Egypt, Ancient
Egypt
3150 BC
2160 BC
Moved to Henen-Nesut . The Ancient Greeks called the city Memphis, its native name was Inbu-Hedj.
Thebes
Egypt, Ancient
Egypt
2134 BC
1292 BC
Moved to Pi-Ramesses . The Ancient Greeks called the city Thebes, its native name was Waset.
Fustat
Egypt in the Middle Ages
Egypt
641
750
Moved to Al-Askar
Al-Qata'i
Egypt
Egypt
868
905
Moved to Fustat
Fustat
Egypt
Egypt
905
969
Moved to Cairo
Qal'at Bani Hammad
Hammadid dynasty
Algeria
c. 1007
1090
Moved to Béjaïa
Béjaïa
Hammadid dynasty
Algeria
c. 1090
1152
Walili
Idrisid dynasty
Morocco
789
808
Moved to Fez
Fez
Idrisid dynasty
Morocco
808
927
Moved to Hajar an-Nasar , to try and restore power base
Kuku
Kuku, Kingdom of
Algeria
c. 1515
1730
Al Bayda
Libya, Kingdom of
Libya
1963
1969
Formation of the Libyan Arab Republic under the rule of Muammar Gaddafi
Fez
Marinid dynasty
Morocco
1244
1465
Moved to Marrakesh
Altava
Masuna, Kingdom of
Algeria
c. 477
578
Meknes
Morocco (under Ismail Ibn Sharif )
Morocco
1672
1727
Moved to Fez
Alexandria
Ptolemaic Kingdom
Egypt
305 BC
30 BC
Ptolomaic Egypt was succeeded by the Roman Empire.
Tahert (Tiaret )
Rustamid dynasty
Algeria
777
909
Tidsi
Saadi Sultanate
Morocco
1510
1513
Moved to Afughal
Afughal
Saadi Sultanate
Morocco
1513
1525
Moved to Marrakesh
Marrakesh
Saadi Sultanate
Morocco
1525
1659
Fez
Saadi Sultanate
Morocco
1603
1627
Fez was a rival capital to Marrakesh during this period.
Tlemcen
Tlemcen, Emirate of
Algeria
c. 757
790
Tlemcen
Tlemcen, Kingdom of
Algeria
1235
1556
ʽAziziya
Tripolitanian Republic
Libya
1918
1922
Tuggurt
Tuggurt, Sultanate of
Algeria
1414
1871
The sultanate was absorbed into French Algeria .
Al-Askar
Tulunid Emirate
Egypt
750
868
Abbasid dynasty re-asserted control; provincial capital moved to Al-Qata'i
Hippo Regius (Annaba )
Vandal Kingdom
Algeria
435
439
Capital moved to Carthage.
Carthage
Vandal Kingdom
Tunisia
439
534
Vandal Kingdom was absorbed by Byzantine Empire .
Fez
Wattasid dynasty
Morocco
1472
1554
Wattasid dynasty was succeeded by Saadi Sultanate
Achir
Zirid dynasty
Algeria
936
1014
al-Mansuriyya
Zirid dynasty
Tunisia
972
1057
Mahdia
Zirid dynasty
Tunisia
1057
1148
Sub-Saharan Africa
Central Africa
Eastern Africa
Southern Africa
Western Africa
Asia
Central Asia
Old capital city
Country
Today a part of
From
Until
Change, reason
Semey
Alash Orda
Kazakhstan
1917
1920
Entity named Kyrgyz ASSR established, capital moved to Orenburg
Bukhara
Bukhara, Khanate of
Uzbekistan
1533
1551
moved to Samarqand
Bukhara
Bukhara, Khanate of
Uzbekistan
1556
1756
Bukhara
Bukhara, Emirate of
Uzbekistan
1785
1920
Bukhara
Bukharan SRR
Uzbekistan
1920
1924
Kandahar
Durrani Empire
Afghanistan
1748
1772
moved to Kabul
Ghazni
Ghaznavid Empire
Afghanistan
977
1163
moved to Lahore
Ghazni
Ghurid dynasty
Afghanistan
1170s
1215
Bactra (Balkh )
Greco-Bactrian Kingdom
Afghanistan
3rd century BC
2rd century BC
Herat
Herat, Emirate of
Afghanistan
1793
1863
Annexation of the country to the Emirate of Afghanistan
Kandahar
Kandahar, Principality of
Afghanistan
1818
1855
Annexation of the country to the Emirate of Kabul
Alma-Ata (Almaty )
Kazakh SSR
Kazakhstan
1936
1991
Alma-Ata (Almaty )
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan
1991
1993
city renamed Almaty
Almaty
Kazakhstan
Kazakhstan
1993
1998
moved to Astana
Khiva
Khiva, Khanate of
Uzbekistan
1511
1920
Khiva
Khorezm SRR
Uzbekistan
1920
1924
Kokand (Fergana )
Kokand, Khanate of
Uzbekistan
1709
1876
Annexation of the country to the Russian Empire
Asadabad
Kunar, Islamic Emirate of
Afghanistan
1991
1991
Fall of the state.
Bagram
Kushan Empire
Afghanistan
1st century AD
1st century AD
Maymana
Maimana Khanate
Afghanistan
1747
1892
Annexation of the country to the Emirate of Kabul , preceded by the sacking of the city
Zaranj
Mihrabanid dynasty
Afghanistan
1236
1537
Omsk
Russia (White Movement )
Russia
1918
1920
White Movement defeated by Reds
Samarkand
Timurid Empire
Uzbekistan
1370
1405
Capital moved to Herat.
Zaranj
Saffarid dynasty
Afghanistan
861
1002
Herat
Timurid Empire
Afghanistan
1405
1507
Invaded by Muhammad Shaybani .
Gurganj (Konye-Urgench )
Khwarazmian Empire
Turkmenistan
1077
1212
moved to Samarqand
Iasy (Turkistan )
Uzbek Khanate
Kazakhstan
1469
1471
Samarkand
Uzbek SSR
Uzbekistan
1925
1930
moved to Tashkent
Alexandria in the Caucasus (Bagram )
Yavana Kingdom
Afghanistan
180 BC
AD 10
Eastern Asia
Northern Asia
Southeast Asia
Old capital city
Country
Today a part of
From
Until
Change, reason
Yaśodharapura (Angkor )
Khmer Empire
Cambodia
802
1431
Sacked by Ayutthaya
Srey Sorchhor
Cambodia
Cambodia
1431
1434
Move to Chaktomuk (in 1434)
Chaktomuk
Cambodia
Cambodia
1434
1525
Move to Longvek (in 1525)
Longvek
Cambodia
Cambodia
1525
1593
Move to Oudong (in 1618)
Oudong
Cambodia
Cambodia
1620
1863
Move to Phnom Penh (in 1863)
Phnom Penh
Colonial Cambodia
Cambodia
1863
1887
annexed by France; moved to Saigon
Batavia
Dutch East Indies
Indonesia
1800
1945
Independence of Indonesia , renamed to Jakarta
Jakarta
Indonesia
Indonesia
1945
1946
NICA occupation, moved to Yogyakarta
Yogyakarta
Indonesia
Indonesia
1946
1948
Dutch military occupation , moved to Bukittinggi
Bukittinggi
Indonesia
Indonesia
1948
1949
moved to Yogyakarta
Yogyakarta
Indonesia
Indonesia
1949
1950
United States of Indonesia dissolved, moved to Jakarta
Jakarta
Indonesia
Indonesia
1950
TBA
moved to Nusantara
Luang Prabang
Lan Prabang
Laos
1707
?
Luang Prabang was one of three successors states to Lan Xang .
Luang Prabang
Laos, Kingdom of
Laos
1949
1975
abdication of King Savang Vatthana ; the second capital
Vientiane
Lan Xang
Laos
1354
?
moved to Luang Prabang
Vientiane
Vientiane Lao
Laos
c. 1707 (?)
1828
incorporated to Siam , then absorbed into French Indochina (in 1893)
Vientiane
Kingdom of Laos
Laos
1949
1975
abdication of King Savang Vatthana
Champasak
Champasak Kingdom
Laos
1713
1946
Became part of Kingdom of Laos .
Pagan (Bagan)
Pagan Kingdom
Myanmar
849
1297
moved to Myinsaing, Mekkhaya and Pinle
Martaban (Mottama)
Hanthawaddy Kingdom
Myanmar
1287
1363
moved to Donwun
Donwun
Hanthawaddy Kingdom
Myanmar
1363
1369
moved to Pegu
Pegu (Bago)
Hanthawaddy Kingdom
Myanmar
1369
1538
Captured by Toungoo forces
Pegu (Bago)
Hanthawaddy Kingdom
Myanmar
1550
1552
Recaptured by Toungoo
Myinsaing , Mekkhaya and Pinle
Myinsaing Kingdom
Myanmar
1297
1313
moved to Pinya
Pinya
Pinya Kingdom
Myanmar
1313
1365
moved to Ava
Sagaing
Sagaing Kingdom
Myanmar
1315
1365
Ava (Inwa)
Ava Kingdom
Myanmar
1365
1555
moved to Pegu
Launggyet
Arakan, Kingdom of
Myanmar
1429
1430
moved to Mrauk-U
Mrauk-U
Arakan, Kingdom of
Myanmar
1430
1785
Captured by Konbaung forces
Toungoo (Taungoo)
Toungoo dynasty
Myanmar
1510
1539
moved to Pegu
Pegu
Toungoo dynasty
Myanmar
1539
1599
moved to Ava
Ava
Toungoo dynasty
Myanmar
1599
1613
moved to Pegu
Pegu
Toungoo dynasty
Myanmar
1613
1635
moved to Ava
Ava
Toungoo dynasty
Myanmar
1635
1752
moved to Shwebo
Shwebo
Konbaung dynasty
Myanmar
1752
1760
moved to Sagaing
Sagaing
Konbaung dynasty
Myanmar
1760
1765
moved to Ava
Ava
Konbaung dynasty
Myanmar
1765
1783
moved to Amarapura
Amarapura
Konbaung dynasty
Myanmar
1783
1821
moved to Ava
Ava
Konbaung dynasty
Myanmar
1821
1842
moved to Amarapura
Amarapura
Konbaung dynasty
Myanmar
1842
1859
moved to Mandalay
Mandalay
Konbaung dynasty
Myanmar
1859
1885
moved to Rangoon (Yangon )
Rangoon (Yangon )
Burma (Myanmar )
Myanmar
1885
1989
country renamed to Myanmar; city renamed to Yangon
Yangon
Myanmar
Myanmar
1989
2005
moved to Naypyidaw
Marawi
Maguindanao Sultanate
Philippines
c. 1205
1888
Annexed into the Spanish East Indies
Bacolod
Negros, Cantonal Republic of
Philippines
1898
1899
Unrecognised state absorbed by the Philippines under American control .
Malolos
Philippine Republic, First
Philippines
1898
1899
Headquarters of the Revolutionary movement (Note: Several other towns became capitals at a succeeding rate, namely San Isidro , Cabanatuan , Bamban , Tarlac , Bayambang and Palanan , to avoid capture from the Americans ). Moved back to Manila after capture of Aguinaldo on 1901.
Manila
Philippine Republic, Second
Philippines
1943
1945
Liberation of the Philippines from the Japanese
Manila
Philippines, Commonwealth of the
Philippines
1934
1941
Japanese occupation. Moved back to Manila in 1945 after the liberation of the Philippines
Baguio
Philippines
Philippines
1946
1976
Summer Capital, moved back to Manila via Presidential Decree No. 940.
Quezon City
Philippines
Philippines
1948
1976
Moved back to Manila via Presidential Decree No. 940. Quezon City, with Manila, became parts of Metro Manila . Several government offices remained in Quezon City, including the Batasang Pambansa , and ultimately the House of Representatives . Manila is the current capital.
Cebu
Spanish East Indies
Philippines
1562
c. 1578
First Spanish settlement in the country. Moved to Manila (Formerly Maynilad) after capture.
Manila
Spanish East Indies
Philippines
c. 1578
1762
Captured by the British during the Seven Years' War , returned to Spain after the Treaty of Paris .
Bacolor
Spanish East Indies
Philippines
1762
1764
Capital of the exiled government Governor-general Simon de Anda during the Seven Years' War . Moved back to Manila
Manila
Spanish East Indies
Philippines
1764
1901
Ceded to the United States via Treaty of Paris
Jolo
Sulu Sultanate
Philippines
c. 1450
1899
Annexed by the United States
Chiang Mai
Lan Na
Thailand
1259
1775
Annexed by Burma
Chiang Mai
Rattanatingsa
Thailand
1802
1899
Annexed by Siam
Sukhothai
Sukhothai Kingdom
Thailand
1238
1347
Phitsanulok
Sukhothai Kingdom
Thailand
1347
1583
moved to Ayutthaya after sacked by Ayutthaya
Ayutthaya
Ayutthaya Kingdom
Thailand
1351
1666
Phitsanulok
Ayutthaya Kingdom
Thailand
1463
1488
Lopburi
Ayutthaya Kingdom
Thailand
1666
1688
Ayutthaya
Ayutthaya Kingdom
Thailand
1688
1767
moved to Thonburi after the Burmese destroyed the city
Thonburi
Thonburi Kingdom
Thailand
1767
1782
moved to Bangkok after King Taksin was declared mad
Phong Châu, Phú Thọ
Văn Lang (Hồng Bàng dynasty )
Vietnam
2879 BC
258 BC
annexed by Thục dynasty
Phong Châu, Phú Thọ
Vạn Xuân (Hậu Lý Nam Đế )
Vietnam
571
602
Third Chinese domination
Cổ Loa (Hanoi )
Âu Lạc (Thục dynasty )
Vietnam
257 BC
207 BC
First Chinese domination
Cổ Loa (Hanoi )
(Ngô dynasty )
Vietnam
938
967
the upheavals of Twelve warlords
Đại La (Hanoi )
An Nam (Phùng Hưng )
Vietnam
8th century
?
Annexed by Tang dynasty
Đại La (Hanoi )
An Nam (Khúc clan )
Vietnam
905
930
Dương Dinh Nghe was killed by his legion commander Kiều Công Tiễn and thus ending Khúc rule.
Đại La (Hanoi )
An Nam (Dương Đình Nghệ and Kiều Công Tiễn )
Vietnam
931
937
Ngô Quyền defeated Southern Han dynasty
Đông Đô (Hanoi )
Đại Việt (Later Lê dynasty and Mạc dynasty )
Vietnam
1428
1788
Mê Linh (Hanoi )
Trưng Sisters
Vietnam
40
43
Second Chinese domination
Long Biên (Hanoi )
Vạn Xuân (Anterior Lý dynasty and Triệu Việt Vương )
Vietnam
544
571
moved to Phong Châu
Hoa Lư (Ninh Bình )
Đại Cồ Việt (Đinh dynasty )
Vietnam
968
980
Hoa Lư (Ninh Bình )
Đại Cồ Việt (Early Lê dynasty )
Vietnam
980
1009
moved to Đại La, then renamed into Thăng Long
Tây Đô, Thanh Hóa
Đại Ngu (Hồ dynasty )
Vietnam
1400
1407
Fourth Chinese domination ; it was the first capital of Hồ dynasty
Tây Đô, Thanh Hóa
Đại Việt-Nam Triều (Restored Lê dynasty )
Vietnam
1533
1592
moved to Thăng Long after defeating Mạc dynasty
Phú Xuân (Huế )
Đại Việt-Đàng Trong (Nguyễn lords )
Vietnam
1558
1777
Tây Sơn dynasty unified Đại Việt
Phú Xuân (Huế )
Đại Việt (Tây Sơn dynasty )
Vietnam
1788
1802
Defeated by Nguyễn Ánh (Nguyễn dynasty )
Phú Xuân (Huế )
Đại Nam (Nguyễn dynasty )
Vietnam
1802
1945
moved to Hanoi after the abdication of Emperor Bảo Đại
Phú Xuân (Huế )
Empire of Vietnam
Vietnam
1945
1945
August Revolution
Huế
An Nam (Nguyễn dynasty )
Vietnam
1874
1955
annexed by France, Geneva Conference (1954) led to the Partition of Vietnam
Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City )
French Indochina
Vietnam
1887
1901
moved to Hanoi
Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City )
Vietnam, State of
Vietnam
1949
1955
Geneva Conference (1954) led to the Partition of Vietnam ; Saigon was renamed Ho Chi Minh City in 1976.
Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City )
Vietnam, South
Vietnam
1954
1975
Hanoi , country ceased to exist after unification of Vietnam
Thăng Long (Hanoi )
Đại Việt (Lý & Trần dynasties)
Vietnam
1010
1400
Trần dynasty renovated Thăng Long and renamed to Long Phượng
Thăng Long (Hanoi )
Đại Việt (Later Lê dynasty )
Vietnam
1428
1527
Southern and Northern Dynasties of Vietnam
Thăng Long (Hanoi )
Đại Việt-Bắc Triều (Mạc dynasty )
Vietnam
1533
1592
defeated by Trịnh lords ; renamed again to Đông Đô
Thăng Long (Hanoi )
Đại Việt-Đàng Ngoài (Later Lê dynasty - Trịnh lords )
Vietnam
1593
1788
Thăng Long was destroyed by Qing dynasty and Tây Sơn dynasty unified Đại Việt, then moved to Phú Xuân ; renamed to Bắc Thành; renamed to Hanoi in 1831.
Hanoi
French Indochina
Vietnam
1902
1953
Geneva Conference (1954) led to the Partition of Vietnam ; in 1831, Emperor Minh Mạng renamed Thăng Long to Hanoi (Hà Nội)
Hanoi
Vietnam, North
Vietnam
1954
1976
Unification with South Vietnam to become the capital of unified Vietnam
Southern Asia
Old capital city
Country
Today a part of
From
Until
Change, reason
Madurai
Pandya Empire
India
c. 6th century
1335
Capital moved to Tenkasi
Thanjavur
Chola Empire
India
c. 9th century
1279
Chola Empire is disestablished
Dacca (legislative)
Pakistan
Bangladesh
1962
1971
Country's constituent assembly should meet in East Pakistan due to the region's high population.[ 2]
Mujibnagar
Bangladesh, Provisional Government of
Bangladesh
1971
1972
A provisional government was established and the leaders of Bangladesh swore their oaths in this town known as Baiydanathtala or Bhoborpara. This was later renamed to Mujibnagar in honour of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman [ 3]
Hazrat Pandua
Bengal Sultanate
India
1352
1450
First and longest capital of the Bengal Sultanate.
Sonargaon
Bengal Sultanate
Bangladesh
1390
1411
Capital moved to Gaur
Gaur/Lakhnauti
Bengal Sultanate
Bangladesh
1450
1565
Nasiruddin Mahmud Shah changed the capital from Pandua to nearby Gaur, probably due to change in river course.
Tanda
Bengal Sultanate
India
1565
1576
Bengal Sultanate was defeated by the Mughal Empire in 1576, but Tanda remained as Bengal's provincial capital until the 1590s.
Daulatabad
Tughlaq dynasty
India
1327
1329
Forcibly moved the entire population of Delhi to Daulatabad for a more centrally located capital. The decision was revoked and was moved back to Delhi within two years, due to lack of water.
Agra
Mughal Empire
India
1504
1653
moved to Aurangabad , was moved to Delhi during the reign of Shah Jahan and to Fatehpur Sikri during 1571–1585, during part of Akbar's reign.
Fatehpur Sikri
Mughal Empire
India
1571
1585
moved to Agra
Pune
Maratha Empire
India
1679
1818
British captured the city and controlled from Calcutta
Calcutta
British Raj
India
1772
1911
moved to Delhi
Delhi
British Raj
India
1911
1931
moved to New Delhi , inaugurated 1931
New Delhi
British Raj
India
1931
1947
became capital of independent Dominion of India in 1947, and later of Republic of India in 1950
Simla
British Raj
India
fl. 1850
1947
Summer capital
Mysore
Kingdom of Mysore
India
1524
1947
Moved to New Delhi , Kingdom of Mysore dissolved- the capital of the state was moved temporarily to Bangalore 1831 to 1881 by Mark Cubbon .
Padmanabhapuram
Kingdom of Travancore
India
1601
1795
Moved to Thiruvanathapuram by Maharajah Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma I .
Trivandrum
Kingdom of Travancore
India
1795
1947
Moved to New Delhi as Travancore joined Dominion of India .
Hyderabad
Hyderabad State
India
1769
1948
Moved to New Delhi in September 1948, after the launch of a military operation by the Dominion of India known as Operation Polo . Hyderabad continues to remain the capital of the Indian states Telangana and, provisionally, Andhra Pradesh .
Gorkha
Gorkha Kingdom
Nepal
1559
1769
moved to Kathmandu after unification of Nepal
Kantipur
Kantipur, Kingdom of
Nepal
1560
1826
Became/Renamed as Kathmandu after Unification of Nepal .
Karachi
Pakistan
Pakistan
1947
1959
moved to Rawalpindi
Rawalpindi
Pakistan
Pakistan
1959
1967
moved to Islamabad
Lahore
Sikh Empire
Pakistan
1799
1849
Annexation of the Punjab by the East India Company .
Anuradhapura
Lanka
Sri Lanka
c. 382 BC
1018
Capital moved to possibly Polonnaruwa
Polonnaruwa
Kingdom of Polonnaruwa
Sri Lanka
c. 1055
1284
Capital moved to Dambadeniya
Kotte
Kotte, Kingdom of
Sri Lanka
c. 1415
c. 1565
Capital moved to Kandy
Kandy
Kandy, Kingdom of
Sri Lanka
1592
1815
Capital moved to Colombo
Colombo
British Ceylon
Sri Lanka
1815
1948
colony acquired dominion status
Colombo
Ceylon, Dominion of
Sri Lanka
1948
1972
Dominion became republic
Colombo
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka
1972
1982
Capital moved to Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte
Western Asia
Old capital city
Country
Today a part of
From
Until
Change, reason
Assur
Assyria
Iraq
fl. 2600 BC
9th century BC
moved to Calah
Calah (Nimrud )
Assyria
Iraq
13th century BC
710 BC
Moved to Nineveh
Nineveh
Assyria
Iraq
1800 BC
600 BC
Destroyed by Babylonians
Babylon
Babylonia
Iraq
24th century BC
141 BC
Conquered by Assyrians, Persians, Parthians, Alexander the Great, later abandoned completely
Kufa
Rashidun Caliphate
Iraq
656
661
Capital moved to Damascus by Umayyad Caliphate
Kufa
Abbasid Caliphate
Iraq
750
762
Capital moved to Baghdad
Anbar
Abbasid Caliphate
Iraq
750s
762
Alongside with Kufa , it briefly became the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate before the founding of Baghdad .
Samarra
Abbasid Caliphate
Iraq
836
892
Capital moved back to Baghdad
Mtskheta
Iberia, Kingdom of
Georgia
3rd century BC
5th century
Capital moved to Tbilisi by Dachi of Iberia
Susa , Anshan (Persia)
Proto-Elamite , Elam
Iran
3200 BC
850 BC
Conquered by Mannaeans
Zirta (Izirtu )
Mannaeans
Iran
850 BC
728 BC
Conquered by Median Empire
Ecbatana
Median Empire
Iran
728 BC
550 BC
captured by Cyrus the Great
Pasargadae
Persian Empire
Iran
559 BC
538 BC
Capital moved to Susa by Cambyses II
Susa
Persian Empire
Iran
538 BC
515 BC
Capital moved to Persepolis by Darius
Persepolis
Persian Empire
Iran
515 BC
331 BC
captured by Alexander the Great and incorporated into Macedonian Empire
Seleucia
Seleucid Empire
Iran
305 BC
240 BC
moved to Antioch
Antioch
Seleucid Empire
Iran
240 BC
64 BC
conquered by Roman Republic
Ctesiphon , Hecatompylos , Mithridatkird-Nisa , Asaak
Parthian Empire
Iran
240 BC
224
conquered by Sassanid Empire
Firouzabad , Ctesiphon , Damghan
Sassanid Empire
Iran
224
637
fell in Islamic conquest of Persia
Nishapur
Tahirid dynasty
Iran
821
873
conquered by Saffarid dynasty
Zaranj , Amol
Saffarid dynasty , Alavids
Iran
861
900
conquered by Samanid
Bukhara , Balkh , Samarkand , Herat
Samanid dynasty
Iran
875
999
conquered by Ghaznavids
Ghazni
Ghaznavids , Ghurids
Iran
963
1212
conquered by Seljuq dynasty
Nishapur , Rey , Konye-Urgench
Seljuq dynasty , Khwarezmid dynasty
Iran
1037
1231
conquered by Ilkhanate
Maragheh
Ilkhanate
Iran
1256
1265
Capital moved to Tabriz.
Tabriz
Ilkhanate
Iran
1265
1306
Capital moved to Soltaniyeh.
Soltaniyeh
Ilkhanate
Iran
1306
1335
After Abu Sa'id 's death in 1335, the Ilkhanate began to disintegrate rapidly and split up into several rival successor states.
Tabriz
Safavid dynasty
Iran
1501
1548
moved to Qazvin
Qazvin
Safavid dynasty
Iran
1548
1598
moved to Isfahan
Isfahan
Safavid dynasty
Iran
1598
1736
moved to Mashhad
Mashhad
Afsharid dynasty
Iran
1736
1750
moved to Shiraz
Shiraz
Zand dynasty
Iran
1750
1782
moved to Sari
Sari
Qajar dynasty
Iran
1782
1795
moved to Tehran
Gibeah
Israel, Kingdom of
Israel
c. 1030 BC
c. 1010 BC
moved to Mahanaim
Mahanaim
Israel, Kingdom of
Jordan
c. 1010 BC
c. 1007 BC
moved to Hebron
Hebron
Israel, Kingdom of
West Bank
c. 1007 BC
c. 1000 BC
moved to Jerusalem ; after the kingdom had been reunited by King David , he is said to have conquered the city from a Canaanite tribe
Jerusalem
Israel, Kingdom of
Israel
c. 1000 BC
c. 930 BC
country split in two
Jerusalem
Judah, Kingdom of (southern part)
Israel
c. 930 BC
586 BC
Kingdom ceased to exist (Jerusalem destroyed; Babylonian exile 586 BC - 538 BC)
Shechem
Israel, Kingdom of (northern part)
West Bank
c. 930 BC
c. 930 BC
moved to Penuel
Penuel
Israel, Kingdom of (northern part)
Jordan
c. 930 BC
c. 909 BC
moved to Tirzah
Tirzah
Israel, Kingdom of (northern part)
West Bank
c. 909 BC
c. 880 BC
moved to Samaria
Samaria
Israel, Kingdom of (northern part)
West Bank
c. 880 BC
c. 720 BC
Kingdom ceased to exist (much of its population was taken into captivity and deported by Assyrian empire)
Tel Aviv
Israel, State of
Israel
6 May 1948
30 December 1948
interim de facto capital, moved to Jerusalem after captured from Jordanian forces in 1948 Arab–Israeli War
Jerusalem
Jerusalem, Kingdom of
Israel
1099
1187
moved to Acre (Jerusalem captured by Saladin )
Acre
Jerusalem, Kingdom of
Israel
1187
1291
Kingdom ceased to exist
Salalah
Oman, Imamate of
Oman
1932
1970
moved to Musqat
Diriyah
Diriyah, Emirate of
Saudi Arabia
1744
1818
moved to Riyadh after the Turks destroyed the city.
Aden
South Yemen
Yemen
1967
1990
San'a , country ceased to exist after unification of Yemen
Damascus
Umayyad Caliphate
Syria
661
744
Moved to Harran.
Harran
Umayyad Caliphate
Turkey
744
750
Moved to Córdoba.
Goris
Mountainous Armenia, Republic of
Armenia
1920
1921
[ 4]
Ganja
Azerbaijan Democratic Republic
Azerbaijan
May 1918
September 1918
Moved to Baku.
Europe
Central Europe
Old capital city
Country
Today a part of
From
Until
Change, reason
Prague
Czechoslovakia
Czech Republic
1918
1993
became capital in Czech Republic
Székesfehérvár and Esztergom
Hungary, Kingdom of
Hungary
972 (or 973)
1256
The capital moved from Esztergom to Buda after most of the city was destroyed by the Mongols in 1242
Buda
Hungary, Kingdom of
Hungary
1361
1536
moved to Pressburg (Pozsony) after part of the nation captured by Ottoman Empire
Pozsony (Bratislava )
Hungary, Royal
Slovakia
1536
1784
The Capital was here because Turks captured Buda , in 1784 it was moved back to Buda
Buda
Hungary, Kingdom of
Hungary
1784
1849
Became part of Austrian Empire , capital in Vienna .
Buda
Lands of the Crown of Saint Stephen (under Austria-Hungary )
Hungary
1867
1873
united with Óbuda and Pest to become Budapest
Płock
Masovia (under Miecław )
Poland
c. 1038
1047
Masovia reincorporated into Poland
Płock
Masovia, Duchy of
Poland
1138
1313
moved to Czersk
Czersk
Masovia, Duchy of
Poland
1313
1413
moved to Warsaw
Warsaw
Masovia, Duchy of
Poland
1413
1526
Masovia reincorporated into Poland
Gniezno
Poland, Kingdom of
Poland
10th century
1038
moved to Kraków
Poznań
Poland, Kingdom of
Poland
10th century
1038
moved to Kraków
Kraków
Poland, Kingdom of
Poland
1038
1079
moved to Płock
Płock
Poland, Kingdom of
Poland
1079
1138
moved to Kraków
Kraków
Poland, Kingdom of
Poland
1138
1290
moved to Poznań
Poznań
Poland, Kingdom of
Poland
1290
1296
moved to Kraków
Kraków
Poland, Kingdom of
Poland
1296
1795
informally moved in 1596 to Warsaw
Toruń
Warsaw, Duchy of
Poland
1809
1809
de facto capital[ 5]
Lublin
Polish Committee of National Liberation
Poland
1944
1945
de facto capital
Łódź
Polish People's Republic
Poland
1945
1947
de facto capital
Eastern Europe
Old capital city
Country
Today a part of
From
Until
Change, reason
Phanagoria
Old Great Bulgaria
Russia
632
665
Novgorod
Kievan Rus'
Russia
862
882
moved to Kiev
Kiev (Kyiv )
Kievan Rus'
Ukraine
882
1169
state broke up, moved to Vladimir , Halych and Novgorod
Vladimir
Grand Duchy of Vladimir
Russia
1169
1327
moved to Moscow
Bolghar
Volga Bulgaria
Russia
8th century
1240s
Volga Bulgaria lost sovereignty
Kazan
Kazan Khanate
Russia
1438
1552
Kazan Khanate lost sovereignty
Moscow
Moscow, Grand Duchy of
Russia
1327
1547
Moscow
Russia, Tsardom of
Russia
1547
1712
moved to Saint Petersburg
Yaroslavl
Russia, Tsardom of
Russia
1611
1612
de facto
Saint Petersburg
Russia, Tsardom of
Russia
1712
1721
The Russian Tsardom became the Russian Empire.
Saint Petersburg
Russian Empire
Russia
1721
1727
Empire was officially proclaimed by Tsar Peter I , following the Treaty of Nystad (1721).
Moscow
Russian Empire
Russia
1727
1731
moved to Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg
Russian Empire
Russia
1731
1914
City renamed Petrograd.
Petrograd (Saint Petersburg )
Russian Empire
Russia
1914
1918
moved to Moscow
Moscow
Soviet Union
Russia
1922
1991
State union dissolved, Became capital of Russia
Volodymyr
Galicia–Volhynia, Kingdom of
Ukraine
1199
1238
moved to Halych
Halych
Galicia–Volhynia, Kingdom of
Ukraine
1238
1241
moved to Kholm (Chełm )
Kholm (Chełm )
Galicia–Volhynia, Kingdom of
Poland
1241
1272
moved to Lev (Lviv )
Lev (Lviv )
Galicia–Volhynia, Kingdom of
Ukraine
1272
1349
Kingdom of Galicia–Volhynia lost its sovereignty
Chyhyryn
Cossack Hetmanate
Ukraine
1648
1669
moved to Baturyn
Baturyn
Cossack Hetmanate
Ukraine
1669
1708
moved to Hlukhiv after demolition of the city by Russian forces
Hlukhiv
Cossack Hetmanate
Ukraine
1708
1722
Cossack Hetmanate lost its sovereignty
Hlukhiv
Cossack Hetmanate
Ukraine
1727
1734
Cossack Hetmanate lost its sovereignty
Baturyn
Cossack Hetmanate
Ukraine
1750
1764
Cossack Hetmanate lost its sovereignty
Kiev (Kyiv )
Ukrainian People's Republic
Ukraine
1917
1920
Ukrainian People's Republic lost its sovereignty
Taganrog
Ukrainian Soviet Republic
Russia
1918
1918
German forces captured the city.[ 6] Republic dissolved.
Lviv
West Ukrainian People's Republic
Ukraine
1918
1918
Polish forces captured the city
Ternopil
West Ukrainian People's Republic
Ukraine
1918
1919
Stanislaviv (Ivano-Frankivsk )
West Ukrainian People's Republic
Ukraine
1919
1919
Kharkiv
Ukrainian SSR
Ukraine
1919
1934
moved to Kiev (Kyiv )
Uzhhorod
Carpatho-Ukraine
Ukraine
1938
1938
Parts of the territory including Uzhhorod were transferred to the Kingdom of Hungary as a result of First Vienna Award . Capital moved to Khust .
Khust
Carpatho-Ukraine
Ukraine
1938
1939
Carpatho-Ukraine lost its sovereignty.
Northern Europe
Old capital city
Country
Today a part of
From
Until
Change, reason
Roskilde
Denmark
Denmark
c. 1020
1443
moved to Copenhagen
Ribe
North Sea Empire
Denmark
1016
1035
Empire collapsed with the death of Cnut the Great .
Copenhagen
Kalmar Union
Denmark
1443
1524
Copenhagen
Denmark–Norway
Denmark
1524
1814
Turku
Finland, Grand Duchy of
Finland
1809
1812
moved to Helsinki
Vaasa
Finland, Republic of
Finland
1918
1918
Temporary capital during the Civil War
Ferns
Laighin (Leinster) (under Dermot MacMurrough )
Ireland
6th century
12th century
Ireland invaded by Normans
Cashel
Munster, Kingdom of
Ireland
1st century BC
1118
Division of Munster into Desmond and Thomond
Kilkenny
Ireland, Confederate
Ireland
1642
1651
Cromwellian conquest of Ireland
Kernavė
Lithuania, Grand Duchy of
Lithuania
1279
1321
moved to Trakai
Trakai
Lithuania, Grand Duchy of
Lithuania
c. 1321
c. 1323
moved to Vilnius
Kaunas
Lithuania, Republic of (details )
Lithuania
1922
1940
moved back to Vilnius
Nidaros (Trondheim )
Kingdom of Norway (872–1397)
Norway
997
1217
moved to Bergen
Bjørgvin (Bergen )
Kingdom of Norway (872–1397)
Norway
1217
1299
moved to Oslo
Christiania (Oslo )
Norway
Norway
1905
1925
(also written Kristiania from ca. 1877), renamed Oslo
Gamla Uppsala
Sweden, Kingdom of
Sweden
9th century
1273
moved to Uppsala
Uppsala
Sweden, Kingdom of
Sweden
1273
1436
moved to Stockholm
Din Guardi (Bamburgh Castle )
Bryneich
United Kingdom
420
547
conquering of the Kingdom
Chelmsford
England, Kingdom of
United Kingdom
1 July 1381
6 July 1381
Briefly moved from London due to Peasants' Revolt
Bebbanburgh (Bamburgh )
Bernicia
United Kingdom
547
634
merged with Deira to become Northumbria
Ebrauc (York )
Deira
United Kingdom
5th century
866
merged with Bernicia to become Northumbria
Lisnaskea
Fermanagh
Northern Ireland , United Kingdom
10th century
1607
Disestablished alongside the kingdom following the Flight of the Earls
York
Northumbria
United Kingdom
834
866
fall of the Kingdom
Dorchester on Thames
Wessex
United Kingdom
634
686
moved to Winchester
Rendlesham
East Anglia, Kingdom of
United Kingdom
6th century
1017
absorbed into England
Winchester
Wessex
United Kingdom
686
927
formation of England
Winchester
England, Kingdom of
United Kingdom
927
1066
moved to London
Castletown
Man, Isle of
United Kingdom
1090
1874
moved to Douglas
Tamworth
Mercia
United Kingdom
7th century
927
fall of Kingdom, superseded by Winchester
Dumbarton
Strathclyde, Kingdom of
Scotland , United Kingdom
c 5th Century
870
Moved to Govan, now part of Glasgow , following 4 months of Viking military assault in 870.
Govan
Strathclyde, Kingdom of
Scotland , United Kingdom
870
c 1034
Conquered by Duncan II , and became part of Scotland .
Kirkjuvagr
Norðreyjar , Territory of the Norwegian Realm
Scotland , United Kingdom
c 872
1472
Absorbed into Scotland .
Scone , near Perth
Scotland, Kingdom of
United Kingdom
846
1452
moved to Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Scotland, Kingdom of
United Kingdom
1452
1707
Scotland was united with England under one monarch in 1603. Edinburgh remains the capital of Scotland within the United Kingdom.
Machynlleth
Wales, Principality of
United Kingdom
1404
1416
seat of Owain Glyndŵr 's self-proclaimed parliament. Capital declared to be Cardiff in 1955
York
Scandinavian York
United Kingdom
875
954
fall of kingdom
Camulodunum (Colchester )
Roman Britain
United Kingdom
43
61
moved to Londinium (London ) after being destroyed by Boudica .
Southern Europe
South-central Europe
Old capital city
Country
Today a part of
From
Until
Change, reason
Corte
Corsica, Republic of
France
1755
1769
Corsican Republic annexed by France
Corte
Anglo-Corsican Kingdom
France
1794
1795
moved to Bastia
Bastia
Anglo-Corsican Kingdom
France
1795
1796
Corsican Kingdom annexed by France
Chambéry
Savoy, Duchy of
France
1416
1562
moved to Turin
Tharros
Arborea, Giudicato of
Italy
9th century
1070
moved to Oristano
Oristano
Arborea, Giudicato of
Italy
1070
1410
moved to Sassari
Sassari
Arborea, Giudicato of
Italy
1410
1420
remaining territories sold to the Kingdom of Sardinia
Santa Igia
Cagliari, Giudicato of
Italy
9th century
1258
country dissolved, territories annexed by Arborea , Gallura , Pisa and Gherardesca
Milan
Cisalpine Republic
Italy
1797
1802
became the Italian Republic
Florence
Etruria, Kingdom of
Italy
1801
1807
Kingdom of Etruria annexed by France
Ferrara
Ferrara, Duchy of
Italy
1471
1597
annexed by the papacy
Florence
Florence, Duchy of
Italy
1532
1569
became Grand Duchy of Tuscany
Florence
Florence, Republic of
Italy
1115
1532
became Duchy of Florence
Olbia
Gallura, Giudicato of
Italy
9th century
1296
country dissolved, territories annexed by Pisa and Arborea
Genoa
Genoa, Republic of
Italy
11th century
1805
annexed by France
Milan
Italian Republic
Italy
1802
1805
Became the Kingdom of Italy
Salò
Italian Social Republic
Italy
1943
1945
Republic ceased to exist
Milan
Italy, Kingdom of (Napoleonic)
Italy
1805
1814
Kingdom ceased to exist
Turin
Italy, Kingdom of (Sardinian)
Italy
1861
1865
moved to Florence
Florence
Italy, Kingdom of (Sardinian)
Italy
1865
1871
moved to Rome
Rome
Italy, Kingdom of (Sardinian)
Italy
1871
1946
Kingdom became Republic
Milan
Lombardo-Venetian Kingdom
Italy
1815
1859
Milan ceded to Kingdom of Sardinia
Venice
Lombardo-Venetian Kingdom
Italy
1859
1866
Kingdom annexed by Kingdom of Italy
Lucca
Lucca, Duchy of
Italy
1815
1847
Duchy annexed by Grand Duchy of Tuscany
Lucca
Lucca, Republic of
Italy
1288
1805
Republic annexed by France
Mantua
Mantua, Duchy of
Italy
1433
1708
attached to the Duchy of Milan
Milan
Milan, Duchy of
Italy
1395
1797
became part of the Cisalpine Republic
Modena
Modena, Duchy of
Italy
1452
1860
became part of united Italy
Naples
Naples, Kingdom of
Italy
1282
1816
Kingdom of Naples merged into the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies
Piacenza
Parma, Duchy of
Italy
1545
1547
moved to Parma , following the assassination of the Duke Pierluigi Farnese
Parma
Parma (and Piacenza), Duchy of
Italy
1547
1860
Became part of united Italy
Cagliari
Sardinia, Kingdom of
Italy
1324
1720
moved to Turin
Turin
Sardinia, Kingdom of
Italy
1720
1861
Became part of unified Italy
Sassari
Sassari, Republic of
Italy
1294
1323
Became part of Kingdom of Sardinia
Turin
Savoy, Duchy of
Italy
1562
1720
Became part of Kingdom of Sardinia
Palermo
Sicily, Kingdom of
Italy
1130
1816
Kingdom merged into the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies
Catania
Trinacria, Kingdom of
Italy
1282
1401
Capital moved to Palermo . After 1302 the Kingdom of Sicily was sometimes called the Kingdom of Trinacria.
Porto Torres
Torres, Giudicato of
Italy
9th century
11th century
moved to Ardara
Ardara
Torres, Giudicato of
Italy
11th century
1272
moved to Sassari
Sassari
Torres, Giudicato of
Italy
1272
1280
country dissolved, territories annexed by Malaspina , Doria , Pisa and Arborea
Trieste
Trieste, Free Territory of
Italy
1947
1954
Territory dissolved, integrated into Italy and Yugoslavia
Florence
Tuscany, Grand Duchy of
Italy
1569
1860
became part of unified Italy
Siena
Siena, Republic of
Italy
1125
1555
Conquered by Florence
Naples
Two Sicilies, Kingdom of the
Italy
1816
1861
became part of unified Italy
Urbino
Urbino, Duchy of
Italy
1443
1523
moved to Pesaro
Pesaro
Urbino, Duchy of
Italy
1523
1625
annexed by the papacy
Venice
Venice, Republic of
Italy
fl. 9th century
1797
annexed by Austria
Rabat
Gozitan Nation
Malta
1798
1801
became part of the British Protectorate of Malta
Mdina
Part of Kingdom of Sicily
Malta
700 BC
1530
moved to Birgu upon arrival of the Order of Saint John
Birgu
History of Malta under the Order of Saint John
Malta
1530
1571
moved to Valletta
South-eastern Europe
Old capital city
Country
Today a part of
From
Until
Change, reason
Gjirokastër
Arbanon, Principality of
Albania
1190
1255
Durrës
Albania, Kingdom of
Albania
1272
1368
Durrës
Albania, Principality of
Albania
1368
1392
Krujë
Gjirokastër, Principality of
Albania
1286
1418
Berat
Berat, Lordship of
Albania
1335
1444
Berat became part of the League of Lezhë .
Lezhë
Dukagjini, Principality of
Albania
1387
1444
Dukagjini became part of the League of Lezhë .
Krujë
Kastrioti, Principality of
Albania
1389
1444
Kastrioti became part of the League of Lezhë
Lezhë
Lezhë, League of
Albania
1444
1450
Vlorë
Albania, Independent
Albania
1912
1914
moved to Durrës
Durrës
Albania, Principality of
Albania
1914
1920
moved to Tirana
Pliska
Bulgarian Empire, First
Bulgaria
681 AD
893 AD
moved to Preslav
Preslav
Bulgarian Empire, First
Bulgaria
893 AD
972 AD
capital of First Bulgarian Empire (moved to Skopie )
Tarnovo
Bulgarian Empire, Second
Bulgaria
1185
1393
moved to Vidin
Vidin
Bulgarian Empire, Second
Bulgaria
1393
1396
Empire ceased to exist after the Ottoman conquest
Tarnovo
Bulgaria, Principality of
Bulgaria
1878
1879
moved to Sofia
Plovdiv
Eastern Rumelia
Bulgaria
1878
1885
annexed as part of the Unification of Bulgaria
Ragusa (Dubrovnik )
Ragusa, Republic of
Croatia
7th century
1808
annexed by France
Varaždin
Croatia, Kingdom of
Croatia
1756
1776
Moved back to Zagreb , when a fire destroyed most of the city.
Fiume (Rijeka )
Fiume, Free State of
Croatia
1920
1924
annexed by Kingdom of Italy
Chania
Cretan State
Greece
1898
1913
Cretan State united with Greece
Corfu
Septinsular Republic
Greece
1800
1815
Succeeded by the United States of the Ionian Islands , an amical protectorate of the United Kingdom, which had Corfu as its capital, too, until 1864, when the island country became part of the Kingdom of Greece .
Nafplio
Hellenic Republic, First
Greece
1821
1836
moved to Athens
Aegina
Hellenic Republic, First
Greece
1827
1829
moved back to Nafplio
Siret
Moldavia, Principality of
Romania
1354
1388
moved to Suceava
Suceava
Moldavia, Principality of
Romania
1388
1564
moved to Iași
Iași
Moldavia, Principality of
Romania
1564
1859
unified with Wallachia to form United Principalities of Romania
Iași
Romanian United Principalities
Romania
1859
1862
one of the two capitals of the United Principalities , then moved to Bucharest
Bucharest
Romanian United Principalities
Romania
1859
1916
moved to Iași after partial occupation of the Kingdom of Romania during World War I
Iași
Romania, Kingdom of
Romania
1916
1918
moved back to Bucharest
Curtea de Argeș
Wallachia, Principality of
Romania
fl.13th century
fl.15th century
Câmpulung
Wallachia, Principality of
Romania
fl.13th century
fl.15th century
moved to Târgoviște
Târgoviște
Wallachia, Principality of
Romania
1418
1659
moved to Bucharest
Bucharest
Wallachia, Principality of
Romania
1659
1859
unified with Moldavia to form United Principalities of Romania
Constantinople (Istanbul )
Byzantine Empire
Turkey
330 AD
661 AD
Emperor Constans II relocated his capital to Syracuse in Sicily.
Syracuse
Byzantine Empire
Italy
661 AD
668 AD
Constans II was assassinated and the seat of Byzantine government was returned to Constantinople .
Constantinople (Istanbul )
Byzantine Empire
Turkey
668 AD
1204
The Fourth Crusade set out to replace the Greek Orthodox Byzantine Empire with a Latin version and there were several Byzantine successor states, the most memorable of which being the Empire of Nicaea .
Nicaea (İznik )
Byzantine Empire
Turkey
1204
1261
When the Empire of Nicaea recaptured Constantinople , they relocated the capital there as well
Constantinople (Istanbul )
Byzantine Empire
Turkey
1261
1453
Byzantine Empire Fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Empire .
Bursa
Ottoman Empire
Turkey
1335
1365
moved to Edirne
Edirne
Ottoman Empire
Turkey
1365
1453
moved to Istanbul (Constantinople)
Istanbul
Ottoman Empire
Turkey
1453
1923
The Ottoman Empire became the Republic of Turkey. The capital moved to Ankara .
Cetinje
Montenegro, Prince-Bishopric of
Montenegro
1696
1852
Cetinje
Montenegro, Principality of
Montenegro
1852
1910
Cetinje
Montenegro, Kingdom of
Montenegro
1910
1918
Became part of Kingdom of Yugoslavia . Capital of SR Montenegro moved to Titograd (Podgorica ) in 1946.
Stari Ras
Serbia, Grand Principality of
Serbia
950 AD
1234
capital of the Grand Principality of Serbia , and the historical region of Raška
Prapratna
Duklja
Montenegro
...
1042
moved to Skadar
Skadar (Shkodër )
Duklja , Zeta
Albania
1042
1385
moved to Ulcinj (Olcinium)
Debrc
Serbia, Kingdom of
Serbia
1276
1289
moved to Belgrade
Prizren
Serbia, Kingdom of
Serbia
1300
1345
moved to Skopje
Skoplje
Serbian Empire
North Macedonia
1345
1371
capital of Serbian Empire , now capital of North Macedonia
Kruševac
Serbia, Moravian
Serbia
1371
1405
capital of Serbia, moved to Belgrade
Ulcinj (Olcinium)
Zeta
Montenegro
1385
1403
moved to Bar (Antivari)
Bar (Antivari)
Zeta
Montenegro
1403
1408
Belgrade
Serbian Despotate
Serbia
1405
1427
Skadar (Shkodër )
Zeta
Montenegro
1408
1474
moved to Žabljak (Žabljak Crnojevića)
Smederevo
Serbian Despotate
Serbia
1430
1453
Žabljak Crnojevića
Zeta
Montenegro
1474
1475
moved to Obod
Obod
Zeta
Montenegro
1475
1482
moved to Cetinje
Subotica
Jovan Nenad 's Empire
Serbia
1526
1527
Kragujevac
Serbia, Principality of
Serbia
1818
1841
moved to Belgrade
Belgrade
Yugoslavia, Kingdom of
Serbia
1918
1945
Belgrade
Yugoslavia, Socialist Federal Republic of
Serbia
1945
1992
Belgrade
Yugoslavia, Federal Republic of/ Serbia and Montenegro, State Union of
Serbia
1992
2006
State union dissolved, became capital of Serbia
South-western Europe
Old capital city
Country
Today a part of
From
Until
Change, reason
Guimarães
Portugal, Kingdom of
Portugal
1128
1179
moved to Coimbra
Coimbra
Portugal, Kingdom of
Portugal
1179
1255
moved to Lisbon
Barcelona
Visigothic Kingdom
Spain
507
546
moved to Toledo
Barcelona
County of Barcelona , Crown of Aragon , Principality of Catalonia and Catalan Republic
Spain
801
1715
annexed by Spain and France
Barcelona
Second Spanish Republic
Spain
1937
1939
Government of the Second Spanish Republic in the Spanish Civil War
Córdoba
Córdoba, Emirate of
Spain
756
929
Succeeded by Caliphate of Córdoba .
Córdoba
Córdoba, Caliphate of
Spain
929
1031
country dissolved, became part of Taifa of Córdoba
Burgos
Castile, Crown of
Spain
11th century
15th century
moved to Valladolid
Santiago
Couto Mixto
Spain
12th century
1864
Couto Mixto annexed by Spain and Portugal
Granada
Granada, Emirate of
Spain
1250
1492
Emirate ceased to exist after the Reconquista and incorporated into Castile
Toledo
Castile, Crown of
Spain
15th century
1469
moved to Valladolid
Valladolid
Castile, Crown of
Spain
1469
1561
moved to Madrid . Was briefly the Spanish capital again from 1601 to 1606.
Valencia
Second Spanish Republic
Spain
1936
1937
Government of the Second Spanish Republic in the Spanish Civil War
Western Europe
Old capital city
Country
Today a part of
From
Until
Change, reason
Vienna
Austrian Empire
Austria
1806
1867
became capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire
Vienna
Austro-Hungarian Empire
Austria
1867
1918
became capital of the Republic of Austria after Empire collapsed
Tournai
Francia
Belgium
431
486
Under kings Childeric I and Clovis I , Tournai was the capital of the Frankish empire. In the year 486, Clovis moved the centre of power to Paris, as a result, the Low Countries region ceased to be the political centre of the Frankish empire.
Kelmis
Neutral Moresnet
Belgium
1816
1919
Moresnet annexed by Belgium
Vichy
France, State of
France
1940
1944
capital of Vichy France régime, defeated by Allies
Aachen
Carolingian Empire
Germany
800
814
became capital of Charlemagne as Imperator Augustus and Emperor of the Carolingian Empire
Karlsruhe
Baden, Grand Duchy of
Germany
1771
1918
Baden became part of the German Empire in 1871, and lost sovereignty fully in 1918. Karlsruhe remained the capital of the German state of Baden until 1945.
Munich
Bavaria, Kingdom of
Germany
14th century
1918
Bavaria became part of the German Empire in 1871, and lost sovereignty fully in 1918. Munich remains the capital of the German state of Bavaria.
Braunschweig (Brunswick)
Brunswick, Duchy of
Germany
1815
1918
Brunswick became part of the German Empire in 1871, and lost sovereignty fully in 1918. Braunschweig remained the capital of the German Free State of Brunswick until 1946 when it became part of the German state of Lower Saxony .
Frankfurt
Rhine, Confederation of the
Germany
1806
1815
Confederation dissolved
Frankfurt
German Confederation
Germany
1815
1866
German Confederation dissolved
Berlin
German Empire
Germany
1871
1918
Berlin
Germany (Weimar Republic)
Germany
1919
1933
Berlin
Germany (Nazi Germany)
Germany
1933
1945
Separation of Germany into occupation zones for the Allied powers . Capital moved to Flensburg temporarily under control of then-president Karl Dönitz .
Flensburg
Germany (Nazi Germany)
Germany
1945
1945
Lost all of its jurisdictions after the Surrender of Germany , still operated until 23 May when cabinet members were arrested.
Bonn
Germany, West
Germany
1949
1990
Moved to Berlin after re-unification of Germany . Bonn retained as the German seat of government until 1999.
East Berlin
Germany, East
Germany
1949
1990
East Berlin and West Berlin merged to form reunified Berlin, country ceased to exist after reunification of Germany
Hanover
Hanover, Kingdom of
Germany
1814
1866
Hanover annexed by Prussia , became capital of the Prussian Province of Hanover , currently the capital of the German state of Lower Saxony
Darmstadt
Hesse-Darmstadt, Landgraviate of , Hesse, Grand Duchy of
Germany
1567
1918
Hesse-Darmstadt became part of the German Empire in 1871, and lost sovereignty fully in 1918. Darmstadt remained the capital of the German People's State of Hesse until 1945.
Kassel
Hesse-Darmstadt, Landgraviate of , Hesse-Kassel, Landgraviate of , Hesse, Electorate of
Germany
1277
1866
Hesse-Kassel annexed by Prussia in 1866; Kassel became capital of the Prussian province of Hesse-Nassau
Wiesbaden
Nassau, Duchy of
Germany
1816
1866
Nassau annexed by Prussia , currently the capital of the German state of Hesse
Oldenburg
Oldenburg, Duchy of
Germany
1180
1918
Oldenburg became part of the German Empire in 1871, and lost sovereignty fully in 1918. Oldenburg remained the capital of the German Free State of Oldenburg until 1946 when it became part of the German state of Lower Saxony .
Heidelberg
Palatinate, Electorate of the
Germany
14th century
1720
moved to Mannheim
Mannheim
Palatinate, Electorate of the
Germany
1720
1777
Palatinate inherited by the Electors of Bavaria.
Dresden
Saxony, Kingdom of
Germany
1485
1918
Saxony became part of the German Empire in 1871, and lost sovereignty fully in 1918. Dresden remained the capital of the German state of Saxony until Saxony itself lost its statehood in 1952 when it was part of East Germany. Dresden became again the capital of Saxony in 1990 following reunification .
Bückeburg
Schaumburg-Lippe, Principality of
Germany
1643
1918
Schaumburg-Lippe became part of the German Empire in 1871, and lost sovereignty fully in 1918. Bückeburg remained the capital of the German Free State of Schaumburg-Lippe until 1946 when it became part of the German state of Lower Saxony .
Kassel
Westphalia, Kingdom of
Germany
1807
1813
dissolved in 1813
Stuttgart
Württemberg, Kingdom of
Germany
c. 1300
1918
Württemberg became part of the German Empire in 1871, and lost sovereignty fully in 1918. Stuttgart remained the capital of the German state of Württemberg until 1945 when it became the capital of newly established state of Württemberg-Baden , and then became capital of the German state of Baden-Württemberg .
Zürich
Old Swiss Confederacy
Switzerland
1415
1530
Vorort of the Swiss diet, after 1530 partially replaced by Lucerne .[ 7]
Aarau
Helvetic Republic
Switzerland
1798
1798
moved to Lucerne
Lucerne
Helvetic Republic
Switzerland
1798
1803
Helvetic Republic abolished
North America
Oceania
Notes
^ Melbourne is sometimes said to have been the inaugural capital of Australia, from 1901 until 1927, when Parliament House, Canberra was opened. This is not so. Section 125 of the Constitution of Australia states that the seat of government is to be within the state of New South Wales but not less than 100 miles (160 kilometres) from Sydney , and that until that place (Canberra ) was built, the Parliament of Australia would meet at Melbourne. That made Melbourne the de facto (but not de jure ) seat of government 1901–1927, but it did not amount to Melbourne being declared the capital, and it was never so described in contemporary documents.
South America
Old capital city
Country
Today a part of
From
Until
Change, reason
Cuzco
Inca Empire
Peru
fl. 13th century
1534
Inca Empire conquered and taken over by the Spanish , who designated Jauja as their administration site
Coro
Venezuela, Captaincy General of
Venezuela
1527
1578
moved to Caracas to prevent an invasion due to its large coastline.
Cidade do Acre (Porto Acre )
Acre, Republic of
Brazil
1899
1900
returned to Bolivia , then incorporated into Brazil
Jauja
New Castile Governorate
Peru
1534
1535
moved to Lima along the coastline in 1535
Perquenco
Araucanía and Patagonia, Kingdom of
Chile
1860
1862
incorporated to Chile and Argentina
Paraná
Argentine Confederation
Argentina
1853
1861
moved to Buenos Aires , after the secessionist State of Buenos Aires rejoined Argentina
Salvador da Bahia
Colonial Brazil
Brazil
1549
1763
moved to Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
Portugal, Kingdom of
Brazil
1808
1815
became capital of Portugal when the Portuguese king John VI moved to the colony of Brazil during the war with Napoleonic France in 1808.
Rio de Janeiro
Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves; Kingdom of
Brazil
1815
1825
It came into being when the colony of Brazil was elevated to the rank of a Kingdom, and the Kingdoms of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarve were united as a single State by the title of The United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarve by a Law issued on 16 December 1815.
Rio de Janeiro
Brazil
Brazil
1763
1960
moved to Brasília
Concepción
Chile, Captaincy General of
Chile
1565
1575
moved to Santiago
Concepción del Uruguay
Entre Ríos, Republic of
Argentina
1820
1821
country dissolved (and incorporated to Argentina ) after the death of Francisco Ramírez
Laguna
Juliana Republic
Brazil
1836
1836
reincorporated into the Brazilian Empire after the Ragamuffin War
Purificación [es ] (near Paysandú )
Liga Federal
Uruguay
1815
1820
country dissolved
San Miguel de Tucumán
Tucumán, Republic of
Argentina
1820
1821
country dissolved and incorporated to Argentina
Tacna
Peru–Bolivian Confederation
Peru
1837
1839
country ceased to exist
Piratini
Riograndense Republic
Brazil
1836
1845
reincorporated into the Brazilian Empire after the Ragamuffin War
Pasto
Grenadine Confederation
Colombia
1862
1862
country ceased to exist
Tunja
United Provinces of New Granada
Colombia
1811
1814
moved to Bogotá
See also
References