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The first reference to Mannheim as a village appears in the "Lorscher Codex" of the year 766. In 1606, the Elector Frederick IV established it as a fortress and a year later it acquired the status and rights of a city. Destroyed in 1622 during the 30 Years War and in 1689, during the War of the Palatinate Succession, Mannheim was rebuilt in 1689 along the lines the city follows today. From 1720-1778, Mannheim was the Residence of the Elector of the Palatinate. Its development as a major industrial commercial centre began in 1850.

It is here that Electoral Prince Friedrich von der Pfalz laid the basis for a fortress with a ground plan in the form of a chess board. Throughout its history, Mannheim has been at the whim of the gods, suffering badly at times at the hands of fate. Among other blows, it has survived complete destruction twice. When the Electoral Prince Carl Philipp transferred his residence from Heidelberg to Mannheim, the town became a hive of building activity and the Palatinate's governmental seat became one of the most important cities of the time. "Mannheim's Golden Age" came to an end when the Electoral Prince Carl Theodor assumed his inheritage position in Bavaria in 1778 and moved to Munich, taking his entire court with him. Mannheim was laid out chessboard style in 143 rectangles during the 17th century and completed as a fortress.

Mannheim's chief baroque building is the Residence of the Elector. Built as a palace in the early 1700's, it now houses Mannheim University and many art treasures. Much of Mannheim was damaged in World War II (1939-1945). The damaged areas were rebuilt, giving much of Mannheim a modern appearance .

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