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List of former national capitals

Lists of capitals

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.

Contents

Africa

Old capital cityCountry, empireFrom Until Change, reason LéopoldvilleCongo, Democratic Republic of the1960 1966 renamed KinshasaGrand BassamCôte d'Ivoire1893 1900 moved to BingervilleBingervilleCôte d'Ivoire1900 1933 moved to AbidjanAbidjanCôte d'Ivoire1933 1983 moved to YamoussoukroAl-FustatEgypt641
905 750
969 moved to Al-Askar
moved to Cairo(see also: Capital of Egypt) Al-AskarEgypt750 868 moved to Al-Qatta'iAl-Qatta'iEgypt868 905 moved back to FustatOtjimbingweGerman South-West Africa1886 1892 moved to WindhoekCape CoastGhana(Gold Coast) 1664 1877 moved to AccraBolamaGuinea-Bissau1879 1941 moved to BissauBoeGuinea-Bissau1973 1974 moved back to BissauNjimiKanemfl. 11th Century c.1396 lost to Bulalainvaders (eventually moved to Ngazargamu) NgazargamuKanem-Bornu Empirec.1472 1808 lost to Fulaniinvaders (eventually moved to Kukawa) KukawaKanem-Bornu Empire1814 1893 Kingdom ceased to exist LagosNigeria1914 1976 moved to AbujaReception Islands of Refreshment1811 1816 Most of population died; islands annexed by United KingdomAnehoTogo1880s 1897 moved to LoméZombaMalawi1880s 1960s moved to Lilongwe

Asia

Old capital cityCountry, empireFrom Until Change, reason AnyangChina(Shang Dynasty) c.1600 BC c.1046 BC moved to Chang'an- end of Shang Dynasty Chang'anChina(Zhou Dynasty) c.1046 BC 722 BC moved to LuoyangLuoyangChina(Zhou Dynasty) 772 BC 221 BC moved to Xianyang- fall of Zhou Dynasty XianyangChina(Qin Dynasty) 221 BC 206 BC moved back to Chang'an- fall of Qin Dynasty Chang'anChina(Han Dynasty) 206 BC 25 moved back to LuoyangLuoyangChina(Han Dynasty) 25 220 fall of the Han Dynasty marking the beginning of the Six Dynastiesperiod Chang'anChina(Tang Dynasty) 618 907 fall of the Tang Dynasty marking the beginning of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdomsperiod KaifengChina(Song Dynasty) 960 1127 moved to HangzhouHangzhouChina(Song Dynasty) 1127 1279 Kublai Khanintegrated China into the Mongol EmpireNanjingChina(Ming Dynasty) 1368 1421 moved to BeijingBeijingChina1421 1928 moved back to Nanjing- China becomes a Republic. NanjingRepublic of China1928 1937 moved to ChongqingChongqingRepublic of China1937 1945 moved back to NanjingNanjingRepublic of China1945 1949 moved to Beijing- After the proclamation of the People's Republic of China, the Republic of Chinagovernment fled to Taiwanand made Taipeithe capital. HakodateRepublic of Ezo1868 1869 Ezo annexed by JapanMalolosFilipina, República1898 1899 Headquarters of the Revolutionary movement(Note: Several other towns became capitals at a succeeding rate, namely San Isidro, Cabanatuan, Bamban, Tarlac, Bayambangand Palanan, to avoid capture from the Americans). Moved back to Manilaafter capture of Aguinaldo on 1901. TaipeiRepublic of Formosa1895 1895 moved to TainanTainanRepublic of Formosa1895 1895 Formosa annexed by JapanCalcuttaIndia (British)1772 1912 moved to New DelhiSimlaIndia (British)fl.1850 1947 Summer capitalYogyakartaIndonesia1946 1948 Alliedinvasion, moved to BukittinggiBukittinggiIndonesia1948 1949 moved to JakartaHeijō-kyō(Nara) Japan (Nara Period)710 784 moved to Nagaoka-kyō(Nagaoka) Nagaoka-kyō(Nagaoka) Japan (Nara Period)784 794 moved to KyotoKyotoJapan794 1868 moved to Tokyo(see also: Capital of Japan) KaesongKorea(Koryo Dynasty) 936 1392 moved to Hanyang (Seoul) - fall of Koryo Dynasty MarawiMaguindanao Sultanate1205 (?) 1800s (?) Annexed into the Spanish East IndiesYangonMyanmar1948 2005 moved to NaypyidawBacolodNegros, Cantonal Republic1898 1899 absorbed by the Philippines. KarachiPakistan1947 1959 moved to RawalpindiRawalpindiPakistan1959 1967 moved to IslamabadManilaPhilippine Commonwealth1934 1941 Japanese occupation. Moved back to Manila in 1945 after the liberation of the Philippines IloiloSpanish Era1898 1899 Last Bastion of Spain in Asia. ManilaPhilippine Republic, Japanese-sponsored1943 1945 Liberation of the Philippines from the Japanese ManilaPhilippines1946 1948 Moved to Quezon Cityafter the formation of Republic of the Philippinesvia Republic Act No. 333. BaguioPhilippines1946 1976 Summer Capital, moved back to Manilavia Presidential Decree No. 940. Quezon CityPhilippines1948 1976 Moved back to Manilavia 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. SaigonSouth Vietnam1954 1975 Hanoi, country ceased to exist after unification of VietnamCebuSpanish East Indies1562 (?) 1578 (?) First Spanish settlement in the country. Moved to Manila(Formerly Maynilad) after capture. ManilaSpanish East Indies1578 (?) 1762 Captured by the British during the Seven Years' War, returned to Spain after the Treaty of Paris. BacolorSpanish East Indies1762 1764 Capital of the exiled government Governor-general Simon de Anda during the Seven Years' War. Moved back to Manila ManilaSpanish East Indies1764 1901 Ceded to the United Statesvia Treaty of ParisColomboSri Lanka1815 1982 Capital moved to KotteJoloSulu Sultanate1450 (?) 1899 Annexed by the United StatesSukhothaiThailand1238 1438 moved to Ayutthayaafter sacked by Ayutthaya Chiang Mai(Lanna) Thailand1259 1939 Annexed by SiamAyutthayaThailand1350 1767 moved to Thonburiafter the Burmesedestroyed the city ThonburiThailand1767 1782 moved to Bangkokafter King Taksinwas declared mad TainanKingdom of Tungning1662 1683 Fall of the Kingdom of Tungning

Central and South-West Asia

Old capital cityCountry, empireFrom Until Change, reason KandaharAfghanistan1748 1772 moved to KabulEcbatanaIran(Median Empire) 7th century BC 550 BC captured by Cyrus the GreatPasargadae, Persepolis, and SusaIran(Persian Empire) 550 BC 330 BC captured by Alexander the Greatand incorporated into Macedonian EmpireSeleuciaIran(Seleucid Empire} 305 BC 240 BC moved to AntiochAntiochIran(Seleucid Empire) 240 BC 64 BC conquered by ParthiaCtesiphonIran(Parthianand SassanidEmpires) c. 64 BC 637 fell in Islamic conquest of PersiaNishapurIran{Tahirid dynasty) 821 873 conquered by Saffarid dynastyShirazIran(Saffarid dynasty) 861 900 conquered by SamanidBukhara, Samarqand, and HeratIran(Samanid) 875 999 conquered by KarakhanidsTabrizIran(Safavid Dynasty) 1501 1548 moved to QazvinQazvinIran(Safavid Dynasty) 1548 1598 moved to IsfahanIsfahanIran(Safavid Dynasty) 1598 1736 moved to MashhadMashhadIran{Afsharid dynasty) 1736 1750 moved to ShirazShirazIran(Zand dynasty) 1750 1794 moved to Tehranin the Qajar dynastyHebronIsrael, Kingdom ofc.1007 BC c.1000 BC moved to Jerusalemwhen the kingdom was reunited under King DavidTel AvivIsrael, State ofMay 1948 Dec 1948 interim de facto capital, moved to Jerusalemafter freed from siege in 1948 Arab-Israeli WarJerusalemJerusalem, Kingdom of1099 1187 moved to Acre(Jerusalem captured by Saladin) AcreJerusalem, Kingdom of1187 1291 Kingdom ceases to exist SemeyKazakhstan(Alash Orda) 1917 1920 Entity named Kyrgyz ASSRestablished, capital moved to OrenburgOrenburgKazakhstan(Kyrgyz ASSR) 1920 1925 moved to QyzylordaQyzylordaKazakhstan(Kazakh ASSR) 1926 1929 moved to Alma-AtaAlma-AtaKazakhstan(Kazakh ASSR, Kazakh SSR, independent Kazakhstan) 1929 1993 renamed Almaty AlmatyKazakhstan1993 1998 moved to AstanaSalalahOman1932 1970 moved to MusqatDariyahSaudi Arabia1744 1818 moved to Riyadhafter the Turksdestroyed the city. AdenSouth Yemen1967 1990 San'a, country ceased to exist after unification of YemenSamarkandUzbekistan(SSR) 1925 1930 moved to TashkentTaizYemen1948 1962 moved to San'a

Europe

Northern Europe

Old capital cityCountry, empireFrom Until Change, reason RoskildeDenmarkc.1020 1443 moved to CopenhagenWinchesterEngland, Kingdom ofWessex519 1066 moved to LondonTurkuFinland, Grand Duchy of1809 1812 moved to HelsinkiHill of TaraIreland(under the High Kings) 6th century12th centuryIreland invaded by NormansKilkennyConfederate Ireland16421651Cromwellian conquest of IrelandKaunasLithuania1922 1940 moved back to VilniusNidaros, now known as TrondheimNorway997 1070 moved to BergenBjørgvin, now known as BergenNorway1070 1299 moved to OsloOsloNorway1299 1624 renamed Christiania(also written Kristiania from ca. 1877) ChristianiaNorway1624 1924 renamed OsloPerthScotland846 1452 moved to EdinburghMachynllethWales1404 1416 seat of Owain Glyndŵr'sself-proclaimed parliament. Capital declared to be Cardiffin 1955

Southern Europe

Old capital cityCountry, empireFrom Until Change, reason ConstantinopleByzantine Empire330 1453 Empire fell to Ottoman Empirewhich kept the city as its new capital and renamed it Istanbul. BurgosCastile11th Century 15th Century moved to ValladolidCorteCorsica1755 1769 Corsican Republic annexed by FranceChaniaCrete1898 1913 Cretan State united with GreeceGranadaGranada, Kingdom of1250 1492 Kingdom ceased to exist after the Reconquistaand incorporated into CastileNafplionGreece1821 1836 moved to AthensAeginaGreece1827 1829 moved back to NafplionTurinItaly1861 1865 moved to FlorenceFlorenceItaly1865 1871 moved to RomeSalernoItaly1944 1944 temporarily; moved to Romeafter the latter's liberation MdinaMalta1566 moved to VallettaModenaModena, Duchy of1452 1860 became part of united Italy NaplesKingdom of Naples1282 1816 Kingdom of Naples merged into the Kingdom of the Two SiciliesBursaOttoman empire1335 1365 moved to EdirneEdirneOttoman empire1365 1453 moved to Istanbul(Constantinople) IstanbulOttoman empire1453 1923 The Ottoman Empire became the Republic of Turkey. The capital moved to AnkaraPiacenzaPiacenza and Parma, Duchy of1545 1547 moved to Parma, following the assassination of the Duke Pierluigi FarneseParmaParma and Piacenza, Duchy of1547 1860 Became part of united Italy. GuimarãesPortugal1095 1131 moved to CoimbraCoimbraPortugal1131 1255 moved to LisbonLisbonPortugal1255 1808 moved to Rio de Janeiro, fleeing Napoleon's invasion of Portugal RijekaFree State of Fiume1920 1924 occupied by Fascist ItalyTurinKingdom of Sardinia1720 1861 Became part of unified Italy TurinSavoy, Duchy of1563 1720 Became part of Kingdom of Sardinia. PalermoSicily1130 1816 Kingdom merged into the Kingdom of the Two SiciliesToledoSpain15th Century 1561 moved to MadridMadridSpain1561 1600 moved to ValladolidValladolidSpain1600 1606 moved to MadridValenciaSpain1936 1939 Government of the Second Spanish Republicin the Spanish Civil WarTriesteTrieste, Free Territory of1947 1954 Territory dissolved, integrated into Italyand YugoslaviaFlorenceTuscany1569 1860 became part of unified Italy NaplesKingdom of the Two Sicilies1816 1861 became part of unified Italy VeniceVenice, Republic offl. 9th century 1797 annexed by Austria

Western Europe

Old capital cityCountry, empireFrom Until Change, reason AachenHoly Roman EmpireCarolingian Empire800 814 became capital of Charlemagneas Imperator Augustusof the Holy Roman Empireand the Emperior of the Carolingian EmpireViennaHoly Roman Empire1558 1806 became capital in Austrian EmpireViennaAustrian Empire1806 1867 became capital in Austro-Hungarian EmpireViennaAustro-Hungarian Empire1867 1918 became capital in Republic of AustriaKarlsruheBaden1771 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. MunichBavaria14th 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. VichyFrance1940 1944 capital of Vichy Francerégime BerlinGerman Empire1871 1945 Separation of Germany to occupation zones for the Allied powers BonnGermany, West1949 1990 moved to Berlinafter re-unification of GermanyEast BerlinGermany, East1949 1990 Berlin, country ceased to exist after re-unification of GermanyKelmisNeutral Moresnet1816 1919 Moresnet annexed by BelgiumHeidelbergPalatinate14th century 1720 moved to MannheimMannheimPalatinate1720 1777 Palatinate inherited by the Electors of Bavaria. DresdenSaxony1485 1918 Saxony became part of the German Empire in 1871, and Saxony lost its independence fully in 1918. Dresden remains the capital of the German state of Saxony. AarauSwitzerland (Helvetic Republic) 1798 1798 moved to LucerneLucerneSwitzerland (Helvetic Republic) 1798 1803 Helvetic Republic abolished StuttgartWürttembergca. 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 1947, and then became capital of the German state of Baden-Württemberg

Eastern Europe

Old capital cityCountry, empireFrom Until Change, reason MtskhetaGeorgia3 century BC 5 century AD moved to TbilisiKutaisiGeorgia978 1122 move back to TbilisiSuceavaMoldaviac. 1380 1564 moved to IaşiIaşiMoldavia1565 1862 unified with Wallachiato form Romania VladimirRussia (Vladimir-Suzdal)1169 1327 moved to MoscowMoscowRussia (Muscovite)1327 1712 moved to Saint PetersburgYaroslavlRussia (Muscovite)1611 1612 de facto CherkasskRussia(Cossack Hetmanate) 1640 1805 moved to NovocherkasskNovocherkasskRussia(Cossack Hetmanate) 1805 January, 7, 1920 Don Cossackslost sovereignty Saint Petersburg (Petrograd)Russian Empire1712 1918 moved to MoscowMoscowSoviet Union1922 1991 State union dissolved, Became capital of RussiaKyivUkraine (Kievan Rus)882 1169 moved to HalychChyhyrynUkraine(Cossack Hetmanate) 1648 1669 moved to BaturynBaturynUkraine(Cossack Hetmanate) 1669 1708 moved to Hlukhivafter demolition of the city by Russian forces HlukhivUkraine(Cossack Hetmanate) 1708 1722 Cossack Hetmanatelost its sovereignty HlukhivUkraine(Cossack Hetmanate) 1727 1734 Cossack Hetmanatelost its sovereignty BaturynUkraine(Cossack Hetmanate) 1750 1764 Cossack Hetmanatelost its sovereignty KharkivUkraine(SSR) 1919 1934 moved to Kyiv(Kiev)

Central Europe

Old capital cityCountry, empireFrom Until Change, reason VlorëAlbania1912 1920 moved to TiranaPliskaBulgaria(First Bulgarian Empire) 681 893 moved to PreslavPreslavBulgaria(First Bulgarian Empire) 893 972 moved to OhridOhridBulgaria(First Bulgarian Empire) 990 1015 Empire ceased to exist after Byzantine conquest Veliko TarnovoBulgaria(Second Bulgarian Empire) 1185 1396 Empire ceases to exist after the Ottoman conquest PlovdivEastern Rumelia1878 1885 annexed as part of the Unification of BulgariaVaraždinCroatia1756 1776 Moved back to Zagreb,when a fire destroyed most of the city. PragueCzechoslovakia1918 1993 became capital in Czech RepublicSzékesfehérvárand EsztergomHungary972 (or 973) 1256 The capital moved from Esztergom to Buda after most of the city was destroyed by the Mongols in 1242 BudaHungary1361 1536 moved to Pozsonyafter part of the nation captured by Ottoman EmpirePressburg(Pozsony) Royal Hungary1536 1784 moved back to BudaBudaHungary1784 1849 becomes part of Austria, capital in ViennaBudaHungary(as part of Austro-Hungarian Empire1867 1873 united with Óbudaand Pestto become BudapestPłockMasoviac.1038 1047 Masovia reincorporated into PolandPłockMasovia1138 1313 moved to CzerskCzerskMasovia1313 1413 moved to WarsawWarsawMasovia1413 1526 Masovia reincorporated into PolandCetinjeMontenegro1482 1946 moved to PodgoricaGnieznoPoland10th century 1038 moved to KrakówPoznańPoland10th century 1038 moved to KrakówKrakówPoland1038 1079 moved to PłockPłockPoland1079 1138 moved to KrakówKrakówPoland1138 1290 moved to PoznańPoznańPoland1290 1296 moved to KrakówKrakówPoland1296 1596 moved to WarsawLublinPoland1944 1945 de facto capital ŁódźPoland1945 1947 de facto capital RasSerbia950 1200 capital of Serbian midieval state Raskamoved to DebrcDebrcSerbia1276 1289 moved to BelgradePrizrenSerbia1300 1345 moved to SkopljeSkopljeSerbia1345 1371 capital of Serbian Empire, now capital of MacedoniaSmederevoSerbia1430 1453 capital of Serbian DespotateKragujevacSerbia1818 1841 moved to BelgradeCâmpulungWallachiafl.13th Century fl.15th Century moved to TârgovişteTârgovişteWallachia1396 1698 moved to BucharestBelgradeYugoslavia1918 2003 State union dissolved, became capital of Serbia

Oceania

Old capital cityCountry, empireFrom Until Change, reason MelbourneAustralia1901 1927 moved to Canberra- interim capital only while Canberra developed LevukaFiji1874 1877 moved to SuvaRussellNew Zealand1840 1841 moved to AucklandAucklandNew Zealand1841 1865 moved to WellingtonTulaghiSolomon Islands1896 1942 moved to HoniaraKororPalau1994 2007 moved to MelekeokKoloniaFederated States of Micronesia1914 1999 moved to PalikirJaborRepublic of the Marshall Islands1885 1944 moved to Majuro

North America

For the historical capitals of the United States, the Confederate States of America, the Republic of Texas, the Vermont Republic, the Kingdom and Republic of Hawaii, as well as various unrecognized nations within the present United States, see Former national capitals in the United States.

For the many capitals of the former Province of Canada, see that article

Old capital cityCountry, empireFrom Until Change, reason St. GeorgeBermuda1612 1815 moved to HamiltonBelize CityBritish Honduras1638 1970 moved to BelmopanChan Santa CruzChan Santa Cruzc.1852 1901 became part of MexicoCartagoCosta Rica1562 1823 moved to San JoséSantiago de CubaCuba1522 1589 moved (after 1607 in Havana) Spanish TownJamaica1534 1872 moved to KingstonSt. John'sNewfoundland1855 1949 entered confederation with CanadaSan Jose de OruñaTrinidad1592 1783 moved to Port of SpainPort of SpainWest Indies Federation1958 1962 country ceased to exist MéridaYucatán1840 1847 reunited with Mexico

South America

Old capital cityCountry, empireFrom Until Change, reason Antimairi Republic of Acre1899 1900 returned to Bolivia, then incorporated into BrazilPerquencoKingdom of Araucanía and Patagonia1860  ? incorporated to Chileand ArgentinaParanáArgentine Confederation1853 1861 moved to Buenos AiresSalvador da BahiaBrazil1549 1763 moved to Rio de JaneiroRio de JaneiroPortugal1808 1815 became capital of Portugalwhen the Portuguese king John VImoved to the colony of Brazilduring the war with Napoleonic Francein 1808. Rio de JaneiroUnited Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil, and the Algarve1815 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 December 16, 1815. Rio de JaneiroBrazil1763 1960 moved to BrasíliaConcepciónKingdom of Chile1565 1575 moved to SantiagoConcepción del UruguayRepublic of Entre Ríos1820 1821 country dissolved after the death of José Gervasio ArtigasCuzcoInca Empirefl.13th Century c.1533 moved to Limaafter the Spanish conquest LagunaJuliana Republic1836 1836 reincorpored to the Brazilian Empireafter the War of the FarraposPurificación Liga Federal1815 1820 country dissolved TacnaPeru-Bolivian Confederation1837 1839 country ceased to exist PiratiniRiograndense Republic1836 1845 reincorpored to the Brazilian Empireafter the War of the Farrapos

See also

References

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Categories: Lists of cities | Former national capitals

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