Einwilligung zur Nutzung.

South of the small agricultural town of Erlangen, a new urban development was established in 1686 for religious refugees of the French Reformed faith, who had fled their homeland after the prohibition of their protestant denomination in France.

Margrave Christian Ernst of Brandenburg-Bayreuth prosecuted this settlement project in the hope of supporting the economy of his indebted, sparsely populated, and backward principality.

By building an entirely separate town, he tried to avoid conflict with the local population from the outset. This endeavour also matched this absolutist ruler's desire to perpetuate his glory by founding a city.

When looking for a suitable site, Erlangen was selected because it was conveniently located on the trade route to Nuremberg, and near two rivers suitable for industry.