List of former national capitals explained

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 cityCountryToday a part ofdata-sort-type="number"Fromdata-sort-type="number"UntilChange, reason
AchirBanu ZiriAlgeria9361014
Al BaydaKingdom of LibyaLibya19631969Formation of the Libyan Arab Republic under the rule of Muammar Gaddafi
Al-AskarEgyptEgypt750868Moved to Al-Qata'i
al-MansuriyyaBanu ZiriTunisia9721057
Al-Qata'iEgyptEgypt868905Moved to Fustat
AlexandriaPtolemaic KingdomEgypt305 BC30 BC
AltavaKingdom of MasunaAlgeriac. 477578
AltavaKingdom of AltavaAlgeria578708
ʽAziziyaTripolitanian RepublicLibya19181922
BenghaziEmirate of CyrenaicaLibya19491951
BéjaïaKingdom of BejaiaAlgeriac. 10901152
BéjaïaEmirate of BéjaïaAlgeria12851510
FezIdrisid dynastyMorocco808927Moved to Hajar an-Nasar, to try and restore power base
FezMarinid dynasty, Idrisid interlude, Wattasid dynastyMorocco12441554Moved to Marrakesh
FezDila'ite interlude, Alaouite dynastyMorocco16591672Moved to Meknes
FezAlaouite dynastyMorocco17271912Moved to Rabat
FustatEgypt in the Middle AgesEgypt641750Moved to Al-Askar
FustatEgyptEgypt905969Moved to Cairo
Hippo Regius (Annaba)Vandal KingdomAlgeria435439
Kalâa of Ait AbbasKingdom of Beni AbbasAlgeria15101872
KukuKingdom of KukuAlgeriac. 15151730
MahdiaBanu ZiriTunisia10571148
MarrakeshAlmoravid dynasty, Almohad dynastyMorocco10711244Moved to Fez
MarrakeshSaadi dynastyMorocco15541659Moved to Fez
MascaraEmirate of AbdelkaderAlgeria18321835Moved to Tagdemt
MeknesMorocco (under Ismail Ibn Sharif)Morocco16721727Moved to Fez
MemphisAncient EgyptEgyptdata-sort-value="-3150"3150 BCdata-sort-value="-2160"2160 BCMoved to Henen-Nesut. The Ancient Greeks called the city Memphis, its native name was Inbu-Hedj.
Qal'at Bani HammadHammadid dynastyAlgeriac. 10071090Moved to Béjaïa
TagdemtEmirate of AbdelkaderAlgeria18351847
Tahert (Tiaret)Rustamid dynastyAlgeria777909
ThebesAncient EgyptEgyptdata-sort-value="-2134"2134 BCdata-sort-value="-1292"1292 BCMoved to Pi-Ramesses. The Ancient Greeks called the city Thebes, its native name was Waset.
TinmelAlmohad CaliphateMorocco11211147Moved to Marrakesh and Seville
TlemcenEmirate of TlemcenAlgeriac. 757790
TlemcenKingdom of TlemcenAlgeria12351556
TuggurtSultanate of TuggurtAlgeria14141871
WaliliIdrisid dynastyMorocco789808Moved to Fez

Sub-Saharan Africa

Central Africa

Old capital cityCountryToday a part ofdata-sort-type="number"Fromdata-sort-type="number"UntilChange, reason
BomaCongo Free StateCongo, Democratic Republic of thedata-sort-value="1886"18861908
BomaBelgian CongoCongo, Democratic Republic of thedata-sort-value="1886"19081926moved to Léopoldville (Kinshasa)
Stanleyville (Kisangani)People's Republic of the CongoCongo, Democratic Republic of the19641965
KasongoSultanate of UteteraCongo, Democratic Republic of the18601887
Bakwanga (Mbuji-Mayi)South KasaiCongo, Democratic Republic of the19601962
Élisabethville (Lubumbashi)State of KatangaCongo, Democratic Republic of the19601963
NjimiKanemChaddata-sort-value="1000"fl. 11th centurydata-sort-value="1396"c. 1396lost to Bulala invaders (eventually moved to Ngazargamu)
Lumbala N'guimboMbunda KingdomAngoladata-sort-value="1500"c. 1500data-sort-value="1396"1917
São Salvador (M'banza-Kongo)Kingdom of KongoAngola14831915
CabaçaDongoAngola?1657
JambaDemocratic People's Republic of AngolaAngola19751976
JambaDemocratic People's Republic of AngolaAngola19792002
CabindaRepublic of CabindaAngola19751976

Eastern Africa

Old capital cityCountryToday a part ofdata-sort-type="number"Fromdata-sort-type="number"UntilChange, reason
Zanzibar CityZanzibar, Sultanate ofTanzania18561964Sultanate ceased to exist; Zanzibar Revolution
Zanzibar CityZanzibar, People's Republic ofTanzania19641964Zanzibar merged with Tanganyika in 1964. The city remains the capital of semi-autonomous region of Zanzibar.
Dar es SalaamTanzania19611964country merged with Zanzibar to form Tanzania
Dar es SalaamTanzaniaTanzania19641996capital moved to Dodoma
AxumKingdom of AksumEthiopia50?city abandoned
Debre BerhanEthiopian EmpireEthiopia1456data-sort-value="1470"mid-1470sEmperor returned to custom of a moving capital
GondarEthiopian EmpireEthiopia1635data-sort-value="1850"late 19th centurymoved to Addis Ababa
BujumburaBurundiBurundi19622018moved to Gitega
EntebbeUganda, Protectorate ofUganda18941962moved to Kampala

Southern Africa

Old capital cityCountryToday a part ofdata-sort-type="number"Fromdata-sort-type="number"UntilChange, reason
OtjimbingweGerman South-West AfricaNamibia18861892moved to Windhoek
ZombaBritish Central Africa ProtectorateMalawi18931907Protectorate renamed as Nyasaland Protectorate.
ZombaNyasaland ProtectorateMalawi19071953Merged with Southern Rhodesia and Northern Rhodesia to form the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.
ZombaMalawiMalawi19641975Capital moved to Lilongwe.
Fort Jameson (Chipata)North-Eastern RhodesiaZambia18991911Merged with North-Western Rhodesia to form Northern Rhodesia.
KalomoNorth-Western RhodesiaZambia18991907Moved to Livingstone.
LivingstoneNorth-Western RhodesiaZambia19071911Merged with North-Western Rhodesia to form Northern Rhodesia.
LivingstoneNorthern RhodesiaZambia19111935Moved to Lusaka.
Island of MozambiquePortuguese MozambiqueMozambique14981898Moved to Maputo.

Western Africa

Old capital cityCountryToday a part ofdata-sort-type="number"Fromdata-sort-type="number"UntilChange, reason
Ribeira Grande (Cidade Velha)Portuguese Cape VerdeCape Verdedata-sort-value="1462"14621770moved to Praia
Grand-BassamIvory Coast (French colony)Ivory Coast18931900moved to Bingerville
BingervilleIvory Coast (French colony)Ivory Coast19001933moved to Abidjan
AbidjanIvory Coast (French colony)Ivory Coast19331983moved to Yamoussoukro
Cape CoastGold CoastGhana16641877moved to Accra
BolamaPortuguese GuineaGuinea-Bissau18791941moved to Bissau
BoeGuinea-BissauGuinea-Bissau19731974moved back to Bissau
NgazargamuKanem-Bornu EmpireNigeriadata-sort-value="1472"c. 14721808lost to Fulani invaders (eventually moved to Kukawa)
KukawaKanem-Bornu EmpireNigeria18141893Kingdom ceased to exist
LagosColonial NigeriaNigeria19141960
LagosNigeria, Federation ofNigeria19601991moved to Abuja
Igbo-UkwuNri, Kingdom ofNigeria10431911Nigeria
AnéhoTogolandTogodata-sort-value="1880"1880s1897moved to Lomé

Asia

Central Asia

Old capital cityCountryToday a part ofdata-sort-type="number"Fromdata-sort-type="number"UntilChange, reason
KandaharDurrani EmpireAfghanistan17481772moved to Kabul
SamarkandTimurid EmpireUzbekistan13701405Capital moved to Herat.
HeratTimurid EmpireAfghanistan14051507Invaded by Muhammad Shaybani.
Alexandria in the Caucasus (Bagram) Yavana KingdomAfghanistan180 BCAD 10
Kushan EmpireAfghanistan1st century AD 1st century AD
MaymanaMaimana KhanateAfghanistan17471892Annexation of the country to the Emirate of Kabul, preceded by the sacking of the city
ZaranjSaffarid dynastyAfghanistan8611002
ZaranjMihrabanid dynastyAfghanistan12361537
AsadabadIslamic Emirate of KunarAfghanistan19911991Fall of the state.
KandaharPrincipality of KandaharAfghanistan18181855Annexation of the country to the Emirate of Kabul
HeratEmirate of HeratAfghanistan17931863Annexation of the country to the Emirate of Afghanistan
GhazniGhaznavid EmpireAfghanistan9771163moved to Lahore
GhazniGhurid dynastyAfghanistan1170s1215
SemeyAlash OrdaKazakhstan19171920Entity named Kyrgyz ASSR established, capital moved to Orenburg
Alma-Ata (Almaty)Kazakh SSRKazakhstan19361991
Alma-Ata (Almaty)KazakhstanKazakhstan19911993city renamed Almaty
AlmatyKazakhstanKazakhstan19931998moved to Astana
Iasy (Turkistan)Uzbek KhanateKazakhstan14691471
OmskRussia (White Movement)Russia19181920White Movement defeated by Reds
SamarkandUzbek SSRUzbekistan19251930moved to Tashkent
Bactra (Balkh) Greco-Bactrian KingdomAfghanistan3rd century BC2rd century BC
Gurganj (Konye-Urgench)Khwarazmian EmpireTurkmenistan10771212moved to Samarqand
Kokand (Fergana)Khanate of KokandUzbekistan17091876Annexation of the country to the Russian Empire
BukharaKhanate of BukharaUzbekistan15331551moved to Samarqand
BukharaKhanate of BukharaUzbekistan15561756
BukharaEmirate of BukharaUzbekistan17851920
BukharaBukharan SRRUzbekistan19201924
KhivaKhanate of KhivaUzbekistan15111920
KhivaKhorezm SRRUzbekistan19201924

Eastern Asia

Old capital cityCountryToday a part ofdata-sort-type="number"Fromdata-sort-type="number"UntilChange, reason
AnyangShang dynastyChinadata-sort-value="-1600"c. 1600 BCdata-sort-value="-1046"c. 1046 BCmoved to Chang'an - end of Shang dynasty
Chang'anZhou dynastyChinadata-sort-value="-1046"c. 1046 BCdata-sort-value="-722"722 BCmoved to Luoyang
LuoyangZhou dynastyChinadata-sort-value="-772"772 BCdata-sort-value="-221"221 BCmoved to Xianyang - fall of Zhou dynasty
XianyangQin dynastyChinadata-sort-value="-221"221 BCdata-sort-value="-206"206 BCmoved back to Chang'an - fall of Qin dynasty
Chang'anHan dynastyChinadata-sort-value="-206"206 BC25moved back to Luoyang
LuoyangHan dynastyChina25220Fall of the Han dynasty marking the beginning of the Six Dynasties period
Chang'anSui dynasty and Tang dynastyChina581907fall of the Tang dynasty marking the beginning of the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period
KaifengSong dynastyChina9601127moved to Hangzhou
HangzhouSong dynastyChina11271279Kublai Khan integrated China into the Mongol Empire
NanjingMing dynastyChina13681421moved to Beijing
NanjingChina, Republic ofChina19281937moved to Chongqing because of Japanese occupation
RuijinChina, Soviet Republic ofChina19311934moved to Shaanxi due to the Long March
ChongqingChina, Republic ofChina19371945moved back to Nanjing
NanjingChina, Republic ofChina19451949 (de facto)moved to Taipei after the loss of the mainland which caused the nationalist government fled to Taiwan and made Taipei the temporary capital of the Republic of China. Beijing was proclaimed the capital of the People's Republic of China.
HakodateRepublic of EzoJapan18681869Annexed by Japan
MiddagMiddag, Kingdom ofTaiwan?1732?Middag annexed by Qing dynasty
TainanFormosa, Republic ofTaiwan18951895Annexed by Japan
TainanTungning, Kingdom ofTaiwan16621683Kingdom of Tungning conquered by Qing dynasty. Tainan remained the seat of government until 1885.
AsukaJapanJapan?694moved to Fujiwara-kyō (Kashihara)
Fujiwara-kyō (Kashihara)JapanJapan694710moved to Heijō-kyō (Nara)
Heijō-kyō (Nara)JapanJapan710784moved to Nagaoka-kyō (Nagaoka)
Nagaoka-kyō (Nagaoka)JapanJapan784794moved to Heian-kyō (Kyoto)
Heian-kyō (Kyoto)JapanJapan7941868moved to Tokyo (see also: Capital of Japan)
ShuriRyūkyū KingdomJapan14291879Annexed by Japan
Wanggeom (Pyongyang)GojoseonNorth Koreadata-sort-value="-194"194 BCdata-sort-value="-108"108 BCfall of Gojoseon
Holbon (Mt. Wunü)GoguryeoChinadata-sort-value="-37"37 BC3moved to Gungnae
Gungnae (Ji'an)GoguryeoChina3427moved to Pyongyang
PyongyangGoguryeoNorth Korea427668fall of Goguryeo
Seorabeol (Gyeongju)SillaSouth Koreadata-sort-value="-57"57 BC935fall of Silla
Wirye (Southern Seoul)BaekjeSouth Koreadata-sort-value="-18"18 BC476moved to Ungjin
Ungjin (Gongju)BaekjeSouth Korea476538moved to Sabi
Sabi (Buyeo)BaekjeSouth Korea538660fall of Baekje
Sanggyeong (Ning'an)BalhaeChina756926fall of Balhae
Gaegyeong (Kaesong)GoryeoNorth Korea9191392moved to Hanyang (Seoul) - fall of Goryeo dynasty
SeoulNorth KoreaSouth Korea19481972de jure capital changed to Pyongyang in a new Constitution of North Korea[1]

Northern Asia

Old capital cityCountryToday a part ofdata-sort-type="number"Fromdata-sort-type="number"UntilChange, reason
QashliqKhanate of SibirRussia15th century1598sovereignty lost

South-eastern Asia

Old capital cityCountryToday a part ofdata-sort-type="number"Fromdata-sort-type="number"UntilChange, reason
Khmer EmpireCambodia8021431Sacked by Ayutthaya
Srey SorchhorCambodiaCambodia14311434Move to Chaktomuk (in 1434)
ChaktomukCambodiaCambodia14341525Move to Longvek (in 1525)
LongvekCambodiaCambodia15251593Move to Oudong (in 1618)
OudongCambodiaCambodia16201863Move to Phnom Penh (in 1863)
Phnom PenhColonial CambodiaCambodia18631887annexed by France; moved to Saigon
BataviaDutch East IndiesIndonesia18001945Independence of Indonesia, renamed to Jakarta
JakartaIndonesiaIndonesia19451946NICA occupation, moved to Yogyakarta
YogyakartaIndonesiaIndonesia19461948Dutch military occupation, moved to Bukittinggi
BukittinggiIndonesiaIndonesia19481949moved to Yogyakarta
YogyakartaIndonesiaIndonesia19491950United States of Indonesia dissolved, moved to Jakarta
JakartaIndonesiaIndonesia19502024moved to Nusantara
Luang PrabangLan PrabangLaos1707?Luang Prabang was one of three successors states to Lan Xang.
Luang PrabangLaos, Kingdom ofLaos19491975abdication of King Savang Vatthana; the second capital
VientianeLan XangLaos1354?moved to Luang Prabang
VientianeVientiane LaoLaosdata-sort-value="1707"c. 1707 (?)1828incorporated to Siam, then absorbed into French Indochina (in 1893)
VientianeKingdom of LaosLaos19491975abdication of King Savang Vatthana
ChampasakChampasak KingdomLaos17131946Became part of Kingdom of Laos.
Pagan (Bagan)Pagan KingdomMyanmar8491297moved to Myinsaing, Mekkhaya and Pinle
Martaban (Mottama)Hanthawaddy KingdomMyanmar12871363moved to Donwun
DonwunHanthawaddy KingdomMyanmar13631369moved to Pegu
Pegu (Bago)Hanthawaddy KingdomMyanmar13691538Captured by Toungoo forces
Pegu (Bago)Hanthawaddy KingdomMyanmar15501552Recaptured by Toungoo
Myinsaing, Mekkhaya and PinleMyinsaing KingdomMyanmar12971313moved to Pinya
PinyaPinya KingdomMyanmar13131365moved to Ava
SagaingSagaing KingdomMyanmar13151365
Ava (Inwa)Ava KingdomMyanmar13651555moved to Pegu
LaunggyetArakan, Kingdom ofMyanmar14291430moved to Mrauk-U
Mrauk-UArakan, Kingdom ofMyanmar14301785Captured by Konbaung forces
Toungoo (Taungoo)Toungoo dynastyMyanmar15101539moved to Pegu
PeguToungoo dynastyMyanmar15391599moved to Ava
AvaToungoo dynastyMyanmar15991613moved to Pegu
PeguToungoo dynastyMyanmar16131635moved to Ava
AvaToungoo dynastyMyanmar16351752moved to Shwebo
ShweboKonbaung dynastyMyanmar17521760moved to Sagaing
SagaingKonbaung dynastyMyanmar17601765moved to Ava
AvaKonbaung dynastyMyanmar17651783moved to Amarapura
AmarapuraKonbaung dynastyMyanmar17831821moved to Ava
AvaKonbaung dynastyMyanmar18211842moved to Amarapura
AmarapuraKonbaung dynastyMyanmar18421859moved to Mandalay
MandalayKonbaung dynastyMyanmar18591885moved to Rangoon (Yangon)
Rangoon (Yangon)Burma (Myanmar)Myanmar18851989country renamed to Myanmar; city renamed to Yangon
YangonMyanmarMyanmar19892005moved to Naypyidaw
MarawiMaguindanao SultanatePhilippinesdata-sort-value="1205"c. 12051888Annexed into the Spanish East Indies
BacolodNegros, Cantonal Republic ofPhilippines18981899Unrecognised state absorbed by the Philippines under American control.
MalolosPhilippine Republic, FirstPhilippines18981899Headquarters 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.
ManilaPhilippine Republic, SecondPhilippines19431945Liberation of the Philippines from the Japanese
ManilaPhilippines, Commonwealth of thePhilippines19341941Japanese occupation. Moved back to Manila in 1945 after the liberation of the Philippines
BaguioPhilippinesPhilippines19461976Summer Capital, moved back to Manila via Presidential Decree No. 940.
Quezon CityPhilippinesPhilippines19481976Moved 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.
CebuSpanish East IndiesPhilippines1562data-sort-value="1578"c. 1578First Spanish settlement in the country. Moved to Manila (Formerly Maynilad) after capture.
ManilaSpanish East IndiesPhilippinesdata-sort-value="1578"c. 15781762Captured by the British during the Seven Years' War, returned to Spain after the Treaty of Paris.
BacolorSpanish East IndiesPhilippines17621764Capital of the exiled government Governor-general Simon de Anda during the Seven Years' War. Moved back to Manila
ManilaSpanish East IndiesPhilippines17641901Ceded to the United States via Treaty of Paris
JoloSulu SultanatePhilippinesdata-sort-value="1450"c. 14501899Annexed by the United States
Chiang MaiLan NaThailand12591775Annexed by Burma
Chiang MaiRattanatingsaThailand18021899Annexed by Siam
SukhothaiSukhothai KingdomThailand12381347
PhitsanulokSukhothai KingdomThailand13471583moved to Ayutthaya after sacked by Ayutthaya
AyutthayaAyutthaya KingdomThailand13511666
PhitsanulokAyutthaya KingdomThailand14631488
LopburiAyutthaya KingdomThailand16661688
AyutthayaAyutthaya KingdomThailand16881767moved to Thonburi after the Burmese destroyed the city
ThonburiThonburi KingdomThailand17671782moved to Bangkok after King Taksin was declared mad
Phong Châu, Phú ThọVăn Lang (Hồng Bàng dynasty)Vietnamdata-sort-value="-2879"2879 BCdata-sort-value="-258"258 BCannexed by Thục dynasty
Phong Châu, Phú ThọVạn Xuân (Hậu Lý Nam Đế)Vietnam571602Third Chinese domination
Cổ Loa (Hanoi)Âu Lạc (Thục dynasty)Vietnamdata-sort-value="-257"257 BCdata-sort-value="-207"207 BCFirst Chinese domination
Cổ Loa (Hanoi)(Ngô dynasty)Vietnam938967the upheavals of Twelve warlords
Đại La (Hanoi)An Nam (Phùng Hưng)Vietnamdata-sort-value="700"8th century?Annexed by Tang dynasty
Đại La (Hanoi)An Nam (Khúc clan)Vietnam905930Dương 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)Vietnam931937Ngô Quyền defeated Southern Han dynasty
Đông Đô (Hanoi)Đại Việt (Later Lê dynasty and Mạc dynasty)Vietnam14281788
Mê Linh (Hanoi)Trưng SistersVietnam4043Second Chinese domination
Long Biên (Hanoi)Vạn Xuân (Anterior Lý dynasty and Triệu Việt Vương)Vietnam544571moved to Phong Châu
Hoa Lư (Ninh Bình)Đại Cồ Việt (Đinh dynasty)Vietnam968980
Hoa Lư (Ninh Bình)Đại Cồ Việt (Early Lê dynasty)Vietnam9801009moved to Đại La, then renamed into Thăng Long
Tây Đô, Thanh HóaĐại Ngu (Hồ dynasty)Vietnam14001407Fourth Chinese domination
it was the first capital of Hồ dynasty
Tây Đô, Thanh HóaĐại Việt-Nam Triều (Restored Lê dynasty)Vietnam15331592moved to Thăng Long after defeating Mạc dynasty
Phú Xuân (Huế)Đại Việt-Đàng Trong (Nguyễn lords)Vietnam15581777Tây Sơn dynasty unified Đại Việt
Phú Xuân (Huế)Đại Việt (Tây Sơn dynasty)Vietnam17881802Defeated by Nguyễn Ánh (Nguyễn dynasty)
Phú Xuân (Huế)Đại Nam (Nguyễn dynasty)Vietnam18021945moved to Hanoi after the abdication of Emperor Bảo Đại
Phú Xuân (Huế)Empire of VietnamVietnam19451945August Revolution
HuếAn Nam (Nguyễn dynasty)Vietnam18741955annexed by France, Geneva Conference (1954) led to the Partition of Vietnam
Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)French IndochinaVietnam18871901moved to Hanoi
Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)Vietnam, State ofVietnam19491955Geneva Conference (1954) led to the Partition of Vietnam; Saigon was renamed Ho Chi Minh City in 1976.
Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)Vietnam, SouthVietnam19541975Hanoi, country ceased to exist after unification of Vietnam
Thăng Long (Hanoi)Đại Việt ( & Trần dynasties)Vietnam10101400Trần dynasty renovated Thăng Long and renamed to Long Phượng
Thăng Long (Hanoi)Đại Việt (Later Lê dynasty)Vietnam14281527Southern and Northern Dynasties of Vietnam
Thăng Long (Hanoi)Đại Việt-Bắc Triều (Mạc dynasty)Vietnam15331592defeated by Trịnh lords; renamed again to Đông Đô
Thăng Long (Hanoi)Đại Việt-Đàng Ngoài (Later Lê dynasty - Trịnh lords)Vietnam15931788Thăng 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.
HanoiFrench IndochinaVietnam19021953Geneva Conference (1954) led to the Partition of Vietnam; in 1831, Emperor Minh Mạng renamed Thăng Long to Hanoi (Hà Nội)
HanoiVietnam, NorthVietnam19541976Unification with South Vietnam to become the capital of unified Vietnam

Southern Asia

Old capital cityCountryToday a part ofdata-sort-type="number"Fromdata-sort-type="number"UntilChange, reason
MaduraiPandya EmpireIndiac. 6th century1335Capital moved to Tenkasi
ThanjavurChola EmpireIndiac. 9th century1279Chola Empire is disestablished
Dacca (legislative)PakistanBangladesh19621971Country's constituent assembly should meet in East Pakistan due to the region's high population.[2]
MujibnagarProvisional Government of BangladeshBangladesh19711972A 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 PanduaBengal SultanateIndia13521450First and longest capital of the Bengal Sultanate.
SonargaonBengal SultanateBangladesh13901411Capital moved to Gaur
Gaur/LakhnautiBengal SultanateBangladesh14501565Nasiruddin Mahmud Shah changed the capital from Pandua to nearby Gaur, probably due to change in river course.
TandaBengal SultanateIndia15651576Bengal Sultanate was defeated by the Mughal Empire in 1576, but Tanda remained as Bengal's provincial capital until the 1590s.
DaulatabadTughlaq dynastyIndia13271329Forcibly 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.
AgraMughal EmpireIndia15041653moved 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 SikriMughal EmpireIndia15711585moved to Agra
PuneMaratha EmpireIndia16791818British captured the city and controlled from Calcutta
CalcuttaBritish RajIndia17721911moved to Delhi
DelhiBritish RajIndia19111931moved to New Delhi, inaugurated 1931
New DelhiBritish RajIndia19311947became capital of independent Dominion of India in 1947, and later of Republic of India in 1950
SimlaBritish RajIndiadata-sort-value="1850"fl. 18501947Summer capital
MysoreKingdom of MysoreIndia15241947Moved to New Delhi, Kingdom of Mysore dissolved- the capital of the state was moved temporarily to Bangalore 1831 to 1881 by Mark Cubbon.
PadmanabhapuramKingdom of TravancoreIndia16011795Moved to Thiruvanathapuram by Maharajah Karthika Thirunal Rama Varma I.
TrivandrumKingdom of TravancoreIndia17951947Moved to New Delhi as Travancore joined Dominion of India.
HyderabadHyderabad StateIndia17691948 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.
GorkhaGorkha KingdomNepal15591769moved to Kathmandu after unification of Nepal
KantipurKantipur, Kingdom ofNepal15601826Became/Renamed as Kathmandu after Unification of Nepal.
KarachiPakistanPakistan19471959moved to Rawalpindi
RawalpindiPakistanPakistan19591967moved to Islamabad
LahoreSikh EmpirePakistan17991849Annexation of the Punjab by the East India Company.
AnuradhapuraLankaSri Lankadata-sort-value="-382"c. 382 BC1018Capital moved to possibly Polonnaruwa
PolonnaruwaKingdom of PolonnaruwaSri Lankadata-sort-value="1055"c. 10551284Capital moved to Dambadeniya
KotteKotte, Kingdom ofSri Lankadata-sort-value="1415"c. 1415data-sort-value="1565"c. 1565Capital moved to Kandy
KandyKandy, Kingdom ofSri Lanka15921815Capital moved to Colombo
ColomboBritish CeylonSri Lanka18151948colony acquired dominion status
ColomboCeylon, Dominion ofSri Lanka19481972Dominion became republic
ColomboSri LankaSri Lanka19721982Capital moved to Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte

Western Asia

Old capital cityCountryToday a part ofdata-sort-type="number"Fromdata-sort-type="number"UntilChange, reason
AssurAssyriaIraqdata-sort-value="-2600"fl. 2600 BCdata-sort-value="-900"9th century BCmoved to Calah
Calah (Nimrud)AssyriaIraqdata-sort-value="-1300"13th century BCdata-sort-value="-710"710 BCMoved to Nineveh
NinevehAssyriaIraqdata-sort-value="-1800"1800 BCdata-sort-value="-600"600 BCDestroyed by Babylonians
BabylonBabyloniaIraqdata-sort-value="-2400"24th century BCdata-sort-value="-141"141 BCConquered by Assyrians, Persians, Parthians, Alexander the Great, later abandoned completely
KufaRashidun CaliphateIraqdata-sort-value="600"656data-sort-value="600"661Capital moved to Damascus by Umayyad Caliphate
KufaAbbasid CaliphateIraqdata-sort-value="700"750data-sort-value="700"762Capital moved to Baghdad
AnbarAbbasid CaliphateIraqdata-sort-value="700"750sdata-sort-value="700"762Alongside with Kufa, it briefly became the capital of the Abbasid Caliphate before the founding of Baghdad.
SamarraAbbasid CaliphateIraqdata-sort-value="800"836data-sort-value="800"892Capital moved back to Baghdad
MtskhetaIberia, Kingdom ofGeorgiadata-sort-value="-300"3rd century BCdata-sort-value="400"5th century
Susa, Anshan (Persia)Proto-Elamite, ElamIrandata-sort-value="-3200"3200 BCdata-sort-value="-850"850 BCConquered by Mannaeans
Zirta (Izirtu)MannaeansIrandata-sort-value="-850"850 BCdata-sort-value="-728"728 BCConquered by Median Empire
EcbatanaMedian EmpireIrandata-sort-value="-728"728 BCdata-sort-value="-550"550 BCcaptured by Cyrus the Great
PasargadaePersian EmpireIrandata-sort-value="-559"559 BCdata-sort-value="-538"538 BCCapital moved to Susa by Cambyses II
SusaPersian EmpireIrandata-sort-value="-538"538 BCdata-sort-value="-515"515 BCCapital moved to Persepolis by Darius
PersepolisPersian EmpireIrandata-sort-value="-515"515 BCdata-sort-value="-331"331 BCcaptured by Alexander the Great and incorporated into Macedonian Empire
SeleuciaSeleucid EmpireIrandata-sort-value="-305"305 BCdata-sort-value="-240"240 BCmoved to Antioch
AntiochSeleucid EmpireIrandata-sort-value="-240"240 BCdata-sort-value="-64"64 BCconquered by Roman Republic
Ctesiphon, Hecatompylos, Mithridatkird-Nisa, AsaakParthian EmpireIrandata-sort-value="-240"240 BC224conquered by Sassanid Empire
Firouzabad, Ctesiphon, DamghanSassanid EmpireIran224637fell in Islamic conquest of Persia
NishapurTahirid dynastyIran821873conquered by Saffarid dynasty
Zaranj, AmolSaffarid dynasty, AlavidsIran861900conquered by Samanid
Bukhara, Balkh, Samarkand, HeratSamanid dynastyIran875999conquered by Ghaznavids
GhazniGhaznavids, GhuridsIran9631212conquered by Seljuq dynasty
Nishapur, Rey, Konye-UrgenchSeljuq dynasty, Khwarezmid dynastyIran10371231conquered by Ilkhanate
MaraghehIlkhanateIran12561265Capital moved to Tabriz.
TabrizIlkhanateIran12651306Capital moved to Soltaniyeh.
SoltaniyehIlkhanateIran13061335After Abu Sa'id's death in 1335, the Ilkhanate began to disintegrate rapidly and split up into several rival successor states.
TabrizSafavid dynastyIran15011548moved to Qazvin
QazvinSafavid dynastyIran15481598moved to Isfahan
IsfahanSafavid dynastyIran15981736moved to Mashhad
MashhadAfsharid dynastyIran17361750moved to Shiraz
ShirazZand dynastyIran17501782moved to Sari
SariQajar dynastyIran17821795moved to Tehran
GibeahIsrael, Kingdom ofIsraeldata-sort-value="-1030"c. 1030 BCdata-sort-value="-1010"c. 1010 BCmoved to Mahanaim
MahanaimIsrael, Kingdom ofJordandata-sort-value="-1010"c. 1010 BCdata-sort-value="-1007"c. 1007 BCmoved to Hebron
HebronIsrael, Kingdom ofWest Bankdata-sort-value="-1007"c. 1007 BCdata-sort-value="-1000"c. 1000 BCmoved to Jerusalem; after the kingdom had been reunited by King David, he is said to have conquered the city from a Canaanite tribe
JerusalemIsrael, Kingdom ofIsraeldata-sort-value="-1000"c. 1000 BCdata-sort-value="-930"c. 930 BCcountry split in two
JerusalemJudah, Kingdom of (southern part)Israeldata-sort-value="-930"c. 930 BCdata-sort-value="-586"586 BCKingdom ceased to exist (Jerusalem destroyed; Babylonian exile 586 BC - 538 BC)
ShechemIsrael, Kingdom of (northern part)West Bankdata-sort-value="-930"c. 930 BCdata-sort-value="-930"c. 930 BCmoved to Penuel
PenuelIsrael, Kingdom of (northern part)Jordandata-sort-value="-930"c. 930 BCdata-sort-value="-909"c. 909 BCmoved to Tirzah
TirzahIsrael, Kingdom of (northern part)West Bankdata-sort-value="-909"c. 909 BCdata-sort-value="-880"c. 880 BCmoved to Samaria
SamariaIsrael, Kingdom of (northern part)West Bankdata-sort-value="-880"c. 880 BCdata-sort-value="-720"c. 720 BCKingdom ceased to exist (much of its population was taken into captivity and deported by Assyrian empire)
Tel AvivIsrael, State ofIsraeldata-sort-value="1948"May 6, 1948data-sort-value="1948"December 30, 1948interim de facto capital, moved to Jerusalem after captured from Jordanian forces in 1948 Arab–Israeli War
JerusalemJerusalem, Kingdom ofIsrael10991187moved to Acre (Jerusalem captured by Saladin)
AcreJerusalem, Kingdom ofIsrael11871291Kingdom ceased to exist
SalalahOman, Imamate ofOman19321970moved to Musqat
DiriyahDiriyah, Emirate ofSaudi Arabia17441818moved to Riyadh after the Turks destroyed the city.
AdenSouth YemenYemen19671990San'a, country ceased to exist after unification of Yemen
DamascusUmayyad CaliphateSyria661744Moved to Harran.
HarranUmayyad CaliphateTurkey744750Moved to Córdoba.
GanjaAzerbaijan Democratic RepublicAzerbaijanMay 1918September 1918Moved to Baku.

Europe

Central Europe

Old capital cityCountryToday a part ofdata-sort-type="number"Fromdata-sort-type="number"UntilChange, reason
PragueCzechoslovakiaCzech Republic19181993became capital in Czech Republic
Székesfehérvár and EsztergomHungary, Kingdom ofHungarydata-sort-value="972"972 (or 973)1256The capital moved from Esztergom to Buda after most of the city was destroyed by the Mongols in 1242
BudaHungary, Kingdom ofHungary13611536moved to Pressburg (Pozsony) after part of the nation captured by Ottoman Empire
Pozsony
(Bratislava)
Hungary, RoyalSlovakia15361784The Capital was here because Turks captured Buda, in 1784 it was moved back to Buda
BudaHungary, Kingdom ofHungary17841849Became part of Austrian Empire, capital in Vienna.
BudaLands of the Crown of Saint Stephen (under Austria-Hungary)Hungary18671873united with Óbuda and Pest to become Budapest
PłockMasovia (under Miecław)Polanddata-sort-value="1038"c. 10381047Masovia reincorporated into Poland
PłockMasovia, Duchy ofPoland11381313moved to Czersk
CzerskMasovia, Duchy ofPoland13131413moved to Warsaw
WarsawMasovia, Duchy ofPoland14131526Masovia reincorporated into Poland
GnieznoPoland, Kingdom ofPolanddata-sort-value="900"10th century1038moved to Kraków
PoznańPoland, Kingdom ofPolanddata-sort-value="900"10th century1038moved to Kraków
KrakówPoland, Kingdom ofPoland10381079moved to Płock
PłockPoland, Kingdom ofPoland10791138moved to Kraków
KrakówPoland, Kingdom ofPoland11381290moved to Poznań
PoznańPoland, Kingdom ofPoland12901296moved to Kraków
KrakówPoland, Kingdom ofPoland12961795informally moved in 1596 to Warsaw
LublinPolish Committee of National LiberationPoland19441945de facto capital
ŁódźPolish People's RepublicPoland19451947de facto capital

Eastern Europe

Old capital cityCountryToday a part ofdata-sort-type="number"Fromdata-sort-type="number"UntilChange, reason
NovgorodKievan Rus'Russia862882moved to Kiev
Kiev (Kyiv)Kievan Rus'Ukraine8821169state broke up, moved to Vladimir, Halych and Novgorod
VladimirGrand Duchy of VladimirRussia11691327moved to Moscow
BolgharVolga BulgariaRussiadata-sort-value="700"8th centurydata-sort-value="1240"1240sVolga Bulgaria lost sovereignty
KazanKazan KhanateRussia14381552Kazan Khanate lost sovereignty
MoscowMoscow, Grand Duchy ofRussia13271547
MoscowRussia, Tsardom ofRussia15471712moved to Saint Petersburg
YaroslavlRussia, Tsardom ofRussia16111612de facto
Saint PetersburgRussia, Tsardom ofRussia17121721The Russian Tsardom became the Russian Empire.
Saint PetersburgRussian EmpireRussia17211727Empire was officially proclaimed by Tsar Peter I, following the Treaty of Nystad (1721).
MoscowRussian EmpireRussia17271731moved to Saint Petersburg
Saint PetersburgRussian EmpireRussia17311914City renamed Petrograd.
Petrograd (Saint Petersburg)Russian EmpireRussia19141918moved to Moscow
MoscowSoviet UnionRussia19221991State union dissolved, Became capital of Russia
VolodymyrGalicia–Volhynia, Kingdom ofUkraine11991238moved to Halych
HalychGalicia–Volhynia, Kingdom ofUkraine12381241moved to Kholm (Chełm)
Kholm (Chełm)Galicia–Volhynia, Kingdom ofPoland12411272moved to Lev (Lviv)
Lev (Lviv)Galicia–Volhynia, Kingdom ofUkraine12721349Kingdom of Galicia–Volhynia lost its sovereignty
ChyhyrynCossack HetmanateUkraine16481669moved to Baturyn
BaturynCossack HetmanateUkraine16691708moved to Hlukhiv after demolition of the city by Russian forces
HlukhivCossack HetmanateUkraine17081722Cossack Hetmanate lost its sovereignty
HlukhivCossack HetmanateUkraine17271734Cossack Hetmanate lost its sovereignty
BaturynCossack HetmanateUkraine17501764Cossack Hetmanate lost its sovereignty
Kiev (Kyiv)Ukrainian People's RepublicUkraine19171920Ukrainian People's Republic lost its sovereignty
LvivWest Ukrainian People's RepublicUkraine19181918Polish forces captured the city
TernopilWest Ukrainian People's RepublicUkraine19181919
Stanislaviv (Ivano-Frankivsk)West Ukrainian People's RepublicUkraine19191919
Kharkov (Kharkiv)Ukrainian SSRUkraine19191934moved to Kiev (Kyiv)
UzhhorodCarpatho-UkraineUkraine19381938Parts of the territory including Uzhhorod were transferred to the Kingdom of Hungary as a result of First Vienna Award. Capital moved to Khust.
KhustCarpatho-UkraineUkraine19381939Carpatho-Ukraine lost its sovereignty.

Northern Europe

Old capital cityCountryToday a part ofdata-sort-type="number"Fromdata-sort-type="number"UntilChange, reason
RoskildeDenmarkDenmarkdata-sort-value="1020"c. 10201443moved to Copenhagen
RibeNorth Sea EmpireDenmark10161035Empire collapsed with the death of Cnut the Great.
Kalmar UnionDenmark14431524
Denmark–NorwayDenmark15241814
TurkuFinland, Grand Duchy ofFinland18091812moved to Helsinki
VaasaFinland, Republic ofFinland19181918Temporary capital during the Civil War
FernsLaighin (Leinster) (under Dermot MacMurrough)Irelanddata-sort-value="500"6th centurydata-sort-value="1100"12th centuryIreland invaded by Normans
CashelMunster, Kingdom ofIrelanddata-sort-value="100 BC"1st century BC1118Division of Munster into Desmond and Thomond
KilkennyIreland, ConfederateIreland16421651Cromwellian conquest of Ireland
KernavėLithuania, Grand Duchy ofLithuania12791321moved to Trakai
TrakaiLithuania, Grand Duchy ofLithuaniac. 1321c. 1323moved to Vilnius
KaunasLithuania, Republic of (details)Lithuania19221940moved back to Vilnius
Nidaros (Trondheim)Kingdom of Norway (872–1397)Norway9971217moved to Bergen
Bjørgvin (Bergen)Kingdom of Norway (872–1397)Norway12171299moved to Oslo
Christiania (Oslo)NorwayNorway19051925(also written Kristiania from ca. 1877), renamed Oslo
Gamla UppsalaSwedenSwedendata-sort-value="800"9th century1273moved to Uppsala
UppsalaSwedenSweden12731436moved to Stockholm
Din Guardi (Bamburgh Castle)BryneichUnited Kingdom420547conquering of the Kingdom
ChelmsfordEngland, Kingdom ofUnited Kingdom1 July 13816 July 1381Briefly moved from London due to Peasants' Revolt
Bebbanburgh (Bamburgh)BerniciaUnited Kingdom547634merged with Deira to become Northumbria
Ebrauc (York)DeiraUnited Kingdomdata-sort-value="400"5th century866merged with Bernicia to become Northumbria
LisnaskeaFermanaghNorthern Ireland, United Kingdom10th century1607Disestablished alongside the kingdom following the Flight of the Earls
YorkNorthumbriaUnited Kingdom834866fall of the Kingdom
Dorchester on ThamesWessexUnited Kingdom634686moved to Winchester
RendleshamEast Anglia, Kingdom ofUnited Kingdomdata-sort-value="500"6th century1017absorbed into England
WinchesterWessexUnited Kingdom686927formation of England
WinchesterEngland, Kingdom ofUnited Kingdom9271066moved to London
CastletownMan, Isle ofUnited Kingdom10901874moved to Douglas
MerciaUnited Kingdomdata-sort-value="600"7th century927fall of Kingdom, superseded by Winchester
DumbartonStrathclyde, Kingdom ofScotland, United Kingdomc 5th Century870Moved to Govan, now part of Glasgow, following 4 months of Viking military assault in 870.
GovanStrathclyde, Kingdom ofScotland, United Kingdom870c 1034Conquered by Duncan II, and became part of Scotland.
KirkjuvagrNorðreyjar, Territory of the Norwegian RealmScotland, United Kingdomc 8721472Absorbed into Scotland.
Scone, near PerthScotland, Kingdom ofUnited Kingdom8461452moved to Edinburgh
EdinburghScotland, Kingdom ofUnited Kingdom14521707Scotland was united with England under one monarch in 1603. Edinburgh remains the capital of Scotland within the United Kingdom.
MachynllethWales, Principality ofUnited Kingdom14041416seat of Owain Glyndŵr's self-proclaimed parliament. Capital declared to be Cardiff in 1955
YorkScandinavian YorkUnited Kingdom875954fall of kingdom
Camulodunum (Colchester)Roman BritainUnited Kingdom4361moved to Londinium (London) after being destroyed by Boudica.

Southern Europe

South-central Europe

Old capital cityCountryToday a part ofdata-sort-type="number"Fromdata-sort-type="number"UntilChange, reason
CorteCorsica, Republic ofFrance17551769Corsican Republic annexed by France
CorteAnglo-Corsican KingdomFrance17941795moved to Bastia
BastiaAnglo-Corsican KingdomFrance17951796Corsican Kingdom annexed by France
ChambérySavoy, Duchy ofFrance14161562moved to Turin
TharrosArborea, Giudicato ofItalydata-sort-value="800"9th century1070moved to Oristano
OristanoArborea, Giudicato ofItaly10701410moved to Sassari
SassariArborea, Giudicato ofItaly14101420remaining territories sold to the Kingdom of Sardinia
Santa IgiaCagliari, Giudicato ofItalydata-sort-value="800"9th century1258country dissolved, territories annexed by Arborea, Gallura, Pisa and Gherardesca
MilanCisalpine RepublicItaly17971802became the Italian Republic
FlorenceEtruria, Kingdom ofItaly18011807Kingdom of Etruria annexed by France
FerraraFerrara, Duchy ofItaly14711597annexed by the papacy
FlorenceFlorence, Duchy ofItaly15321569became Grand Duchy of Tuscany
FlorenceFlorence, Republic ofItaly11151532became Duchy of Florence
OlbiaGallura, Giudicato ofItalydata-sort-value="800"9th century1296country dissolved, territories annexed by Pisa and Arborea
GenoaGenoa, Republic ofItalydata-sort-value="1000"11th century1805annexed by France
MilanItalian RepublicItaly18021805Became the Kingdom of Italy
SalòItalian Social RepublicItaly19431945Republic ceased to exist
MilanItaly, Kingdom of (Napoleonic)Italy18051814Kingdom ceased to exist
TurinItaly, Kingdom of (Sardinian)Italy18611865moved to Florence
FlorenceItaly, Kingdom of (Sardinian)Italy18651871moved to Rome
RomeItaly, Kingdom of (Sardinian)Italy18711946Kingdom became Republic
MilanLombardo-Venetian KingdomItaly18151859Milan ceded to Kingdom of Sardinia
VeniceLombardo-Venetian KingdomItaly18591866Kingdom annexed by Kingdom of Italy
LuccaLucca, Duchy ofItaly18151847Duchy annexed by Grand Duchy of Tuscany
LuccaLucca, Republic ofItaly12881805Republic annexed by France
MantuaMantua, Duchy ofItaly14331708attached to the Duchy of Milan
MilanMilan, Duchy ofItaly13951797became part of the Cisalpine Republic
ModenaModena, Duchy ofItaly14521860became part of united Italy
NaplesNaples, Kingdom ofItaly12821816Kingdom of Naples merged into the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies
PiacenzaParma, Duchy ofItaly15451547moved to Parma, following the assassination of the Duke Pierluigi Farnese
ParmaParma (and Piacenza), Duchy ofItaly15471860Became part of united Italy
CagliariSardinia, Kingdom ofItaly13241720moved to Turin
TurinSardinia, Kingdom ofItaly17201861Became part of unified Italy
SassariSassari, Republic ofItaly12941323Became part of Kingdom of Sardinia
TurinSavoy, Duchy ofItaly15621720Became part of Kingdom of Sardinia
PalermoSicily, Kingdom ofItaly11301816Kingdom merged into the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies
CataniaTrinacria, Kingdom ofItaly12821401Capital moved to Palermo. After 1302 the Kingdom of Sicily was sometimes called the Kingdom of Trinacria.
Porto TorresTorres, Giudicato ofItalydata-sort-value="800"9th centurydata-sort-value="1000"11th centurymoved to Ardara
ArdaraTorres, Giudicato ofItalydata-sort-value="1000"11th century1272moved to Sassari
SassariTorres, Giudicato ofItaly12721280country dissolved, territories annexed by Malaspina, Doria, Pisa and Arborea
TriesteTrieste, Free Territory ofItaly19471954Territory dissolved, integrated into Italy and Yugoslavia
FlorenceTuscany, Grand Duchy ofItaly15691860became part of unified Italy
SienaSiena, Republic ofItaly11251555Conquered by Florence
NaplesTwo Sicilies, Kingdom of theItaly18161861became part of unified Italy
UrbinoUrbino, Duchy ofItaly14431523moved to Pesaro
PesaroUrbino, Duchy ofItaly15231625annexed by the papacy
VeniceVenice, Republic ofItalydata-sort-value="800"fl. 9th century1797annexed by Austria
RabatGozitan NationMalta17981801became part of the British Protectorate of Malta
MdinaPart of Kingdom of SicilyMaltadata-sort-value="-700"700 BC1530moved to Birgu upon arrival of the Order of Saint John
BirguHistory of Malta under the Order of Saint JohnMalta15301571moved to Valletta

South-eastern Europe

Old capital cityCountryToday a part ofdata-sort-type="number"Fromdata-sort-type="number"UntilChange, reason
GjirokastërArbanon, Principality of11901255
DurrësAlbania, Kingdom of12721368
DurrësAlbania, Principality ofAlbania13681392
KrujëGjirokastër, Principality of12861418
BeratBerat, Lordship ofAlbania13351444Berat became part of the League of Lezhë.
LezhëDukagjini, Principality ofAlbania13871444Dukagjini became part of the League of Lezhë.
KrujëKastrioti, Principality ofAlbania13891444Kastrioti became part of the League of Lezhë
LezhëLezhë, League ofAlbania14441450
VlorëAlbania, IndependentAlbania19121914moved to Durrës
DurrësAlbania, Principality ofAlbania19141920moved to Tirana
PliskaBulgarian Empire, FirstBulgariadata-sort-value="681"681 ADdata-sort-value="893"893 ADmoved to Preslav
PreslavBulgarian Empire, FirstBulgariadata-sort-value="893"893 ADdata-sort-value="972"972 ADcapital of First Bulgarian Empire (moved to Skopie)
SkopjeBulgarian Empire, FirstNorth Macedoniadata-sort-value="972"972 ADdata-sort-value="992"992 ADcapital of First Bulgarian Empire (moved to Ohrid), Macedonia
OhridBulgarian Empire, FirstNorth Macedoniadata-sort-value="992"992 AD1018capital of First Bulgarian Empire; Empire ceased to exist after Byzantine conquest
TarnovoBulgarian Empire, SecondBulgaria11851393moved to Vidin
VidinBulgarian Empire, SecondBulgaria13931396Empire ceased to exist after the Ottoman conquest
TarnovoPrincipality of BulgariaBulgaria18781879moved to Sofia
PlovdivEastern RumeliaBulgaria18781885annexed as part of the Unification of Bulgaria
Ragusa (Dubrovnik)Ragusa, Republic ofCroatiadata-sort-value="600"7th century1808annexed by France
VaraždinCroatia, Kingdom ofCroatia17561776Moved back to Zagreb, when a fire destroyed most of the city.
Fiume (Rijeka)Fiume, Free State ofCroatia19201924annexed by Kingdom of Italy
ChaniaCretan StateGreece18981913Cretan State united with Greece
CorfuSeptinsular RepublicGreece18001815Succeeded 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.
NafplioHellenic Republic, FirstGreece18211836moved to Athens
AeginaHellenic Republic, FirstGreece18271829moved back to Nafplio
SiretMoldavia, Principality ofRomania13541388moved to Suceava
SuceavaMoldavia, Principality ofRomania13881564moved to Iași
IașiMoldavia, Principality ofRomania15641859unified with Wallachia to form United Principalities of Romania
IașiRomanian United PrincipalitiesRomania18591862one of the two capitals of the United Principalities, then moved to Bucharest
BucharestRomanian United PrincipalitiesRomania18591916moved to Iași after partial occupation of the Kingdom of Romania during World War I
IașiRomania, Kingdom ofRomania19161918moved back to Bucharest
Curtea de ArgeșWallachia, Principality ofRomaniadata-sort-value="1200"fl.13th centurydata-sort-value="1400"fl.15th century
CâmpulungWallachia, Principality ofRomaniadata-sort-value="1200"fl.13th centurydata-sort-value="1400"fl.15th centurymoved to Târgoviște
TârgovișteWallachia, Principality ofRomania14181659moved to Bucharest
BucharestWallachia, Principality ofRomania16591859unified with Moldavia to form United Principalities of Romania
Constantinople (Istanbul)Byzantine EmpireTurkeydata-sort-value="330"330 ADdata-sort-value="661"661 ADEmperor Constans II relocated his capital to Syracuse in Sicily.
SyracuseByzantine EmpireItalydata-sort-value="661"661 ADdata-sort-value="668"668 ADConstans II was assassinated and the seat of Byzantine government was returned to Constantinople.
Constantinople (Istanbul)Byzantine EmpireTurkeydata-sort-value="668"668 AD1204The 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 EmpireTurkey12041261When the Empire of Nicaea recaptured Constantinople, they relocated the capital there as well
Constantinople (Istanbul)Byzantine EmpireTurkey12611453Byzantine Empire Fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Empire.
BursaOttoman EmpireTurkey13351365moved to Edirne
EdirneOttoman EmpireTurkey13651453moved to Istanbul (Constantinople)
IstanbulOttoman EmpireTurkey14531923The Ottoman Empire became the Republic of Turkey. The capital moved to Ankara.
CetinjeMontenegro, Prince-Bishopric ofMontenegro16961852
CetinjeMontenegro, Principality ofMontenegro18521910
CetinjeMontenegro, Kingdom ofMontenegro19101918Became part of Kingdom of Yugoslavia. Capital of SR Montenegro moved to Titograd (Podgorica) in 1946.
Stari RasSerbia, Grand Principality ofSerbiadata-sort-value="950"950 AD1234capital of the Grand Principality of Serbia, and the historical region of Raška
PrapratnaDukljaMontenegro...1042moved to Skadar
Skadar (Shkodër)Duklja, ZetaAlbania10421385moved to Ulcinj (Olcinium)
DebrcSerbia, Kingdom ofSerbia12761289moved to Belgrade
PrizrenSerbia, Kingdom ofSerbia13001345moved to Skopje
SkopljeSerbian EmpireNorth Macedonia13451371capital of Serbian Empire, now capital of North Macedonia
KruševacSerbia, MoravianSerbia13711405capital of Serbia, moved to Belgrade
Ulcinj (Olcinium)ZetaMontenegro13851403moved to Bar (Antivari)
Bar (Antivari)ZetaMontenegro14031408
BelgradeSerbian DespotateSerbia14051427
Skadar (Shkodër)ZetaMontenegro14081474moved to Žabljak (Žabljak Crnojevića)
SmederevoSerbian DespotateSerbia14301453
Žabljak CrnojevićaZetaMontenegro14741475moved to Obod
ObodZetaMontenegro14751482moved to Cetinje
SuboticaJovan Nenad's EmpireSerbia15261527
KragujevacSerbia, Principality ofSerbia18181841moved to Belgrade
BelgradeYugoslavia, Kingdom ofSerbia19181945
BelgradeYugoslavia, Socialist Federal Republic ofSerbia19451992
BelgradeYugoslavia, Federal Republic of/ Serbia and Montenegro, State Union ofSerbia19922006State union dissolved, became capital of Serbia

South-western Europe

Old capital cityCountryToday a part ofdata-sort-type="number"Fromdata-sort-type="number"UntilChange, reason
GuimarãesPortugal, Kingdom ofPortugal11281179moved to Coimbra
CoimbraPortugal, Kingdom ofPortugal11791255moved to Lisbon
BarcelonaVisigothic KingdomSpain507546moved to Toledo
BarcelonaCounty of Barcelona, Crown of Aragon, Principality of Catalonia and Catalan RepublicSpain8011715annexed by Spain and France
BarcelonaSecond Spanish RepublicSpain19371939Government of the Second Spanish Republic in the Spanish Civil War
CórdobaCórdoba, Emirate ofSpain756929Succeeded by Caliphate of Córdoba.
CórdobaCórdoba, Caliphate ofSpain9291031country dissolved, became part of Taifa of Córdoba
BurgosCastile, Crown ofSpaindata-sort-value="1000"11th centurydata-sort-value="1400"15th centurymoved to Valladolid
SantiagoCouto MixtoSpaindata-sort-value="1100"12th century1864Couto Mixto annexed by Spain and Portugal
GranadaGranada, Emirate ofSpain12501492Emirate ceased to exist after the Reconquista and incorporated into Castile
ToledoCastile, Crown ofSpaindata-sort-value="1400"15th century1469moved to Valladolid
ValladolidCastile, Crown ofSpain14691561moved to Madrid. Was briefly the Spanish capital again from 1601 to 1606.
ValenciaSecond Spanish RepublicSpain19361937Government of the Second Spanish Republic in the Spanish Civil War

Western Europe

Old capital cityCountryToday a part ofdata-sort-type="number"Fromdata-sort-type="number"UntilChange, reason
ViennaAustrian EmpireAustria18061867became capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire
ViennaAustro-Hungarian EmpireAustria18671918became capital of the Republic of Austria after Empire collapsed
TournaiFranciaBelgium431486Under 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.
KelmisNeutral MoresnetBelgium18161919Moresnet annexed by Belgium
VichyFrance, State ofFrance19401944capital of Vichy France régime, defeated by Allies
AachenCarolingian EmpireGermany800814became capital of Charlemagne as Imperator Augustus and Emperor of the Carolingian Empire
KarlsruheBaden, Grand Duchy ofGermany17711918Baden 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.
MunichBavaria, Kingdom ofGermanydata-sort-value="1300"14th century1918Bavaria 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 ofGermany18151918Brunswick 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.
FrankfurtRhine, Confederation of theGermany18061815Confederation dissolved
FrankfurtGerman ConfederationGermany18151866German Confederation dissolved
BerlinGerman EmpireGermany18711918
BerlinGermany (Weimar Republic)Germany19191933
BerlinGermany (Nazi Germany)Germany19331945Separation of Germany into occupation zones for the Allied powers. Capital moved to Flensburg temporarily under control of then-president Karl Dönitz.
FlensburgGermany (Nazi Germany)Germany19451945Lost all of its jurisdictions after the Surrender of Germany, still operated until 23 May when cabinet members were arrested.
BonnGermany, WestGermany19491990Moved to Berlin after re-unification of Germany. Bonn retained as the German seat of government until 1999.
East BerlinGermany, EastGermany19491990East Berlin and West Berlin merged to form reunified Berlin, country ceased to exist after reunification of Germany
HanoverHanover, Kingdom ofGermany18141866Hanover annexed by Prussia, became capital of the Prussian Province of Hanover, currently the capital of the German state of Lower Saxony
DarmstadtHesse-Darmstadt, Landgraviate of, Hesse, Grand Duchy ofGermany15671918Hesse-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.
KasselHesse-Darmstadt, Landgraviate of, Hesse-Kassel, Landgraviate of, Hesse, Electorate ofGermany12771866Hesse-Kassel annexed by Prussia in 1866; Kassel became capital of the Prussian province of Hesse-Nassau
WiesbadenNassau, Duchy ofGermany18161866Nassau annexed by Prussia, currently the capital of the German state of Hesse
OldenburgOldenburg, Duchy ofGermany11801918Oldenburg 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.
HeidelbergPalatinate, Electorate of theGermanydata-sort-value="1300"14th century1720moved to Mannheim
MannheimPalatinate, Electorate of theGermany17201777Palatinate inherited by the Electors of Bavaria.
DresdenSaxony, Kingdom ofGermany14851918Saxony 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.
BückeburgSchaumburg-Lippe, Principality ofGermany16431918Schaumburg-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.
KasselWestphalia, Kingdom ofGermany18071813dissolved in 1813
StuttgartWürttemberg, Kingdom ofGermanydata-sort-value="1300"c. 13001918Württemberg 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.
ZürichOld Swiss ConfederacySwitzerland14151530Vorort of the Swiss diet, after 1530 partially replaced by Lucerne.
AarauHelvetic RepublicSwitzerland17981798moved to Lucerne
LucerneHelvetic RepublicSwitzerland17981803Helvetic Republic abolished

North America

Old capital cityCountry, empiredata-sort-type="number"Fromdata-sort-type="number"UntilChange, reason
James TownBarbados16251628moved to Bridgetown, purpose-built
St. GeorgeBermuda16121815moved to Hamilton
Belize CityBritish Honduras16381970moved to Belmopan because of the devastating effects of Hurricane Hattie in 1961 and Belize City earthquake in 1968
Chan Santa CruzChan Santa Cruzdata-sort-value="1852"c. 18521901became part of Mexico
CartagoCosta Rica15621823moved to San José
Santiago de CubaCuba15221589moved (after 1607 in Havana)
Santiago de los CaballerosDominican Republic18631865Dominican Restoration War
AntiguaGuatemala15251776New capital of Guatemala City founded after Antigua destroyed three times by major earthquakes.
Spanish TownJamaica15341872moved to Kingston
Cap-FrançaisSaint-Domingue17111804moved to Port-au-Prince
QuetzaltenangoLos Altos18381840country ceased to exist
Granada and LeónNicaragua18211857moved to Managua
St. John'sNewfoundland18551949entered confederation within Canada and became the country's 10th province
Washington, D.C.Philippine Commonwealthdata-sort-value="1942"May 1942data-sort-value="1944"October 1944returned to the Philippines subsequent to the end of the Japanese occupation of the Philippines in World War II
Old Road TownSaint Kitts16231727capital moved to Basseterre
San Jose de Oruña (Saint Joseph)British Trinidad15921783moved to Port of Spain
CaparraPuerto Rico15081521moved to San Juan
Port of Spain and ChaguaramasWest Indies Federation19581962country ceased to exist
MéridaRepublic of Yucatán18401847Yucatán annexed by Mexico
Comayagua, ComayaguaRepublic of Honduras15401937Tiburcio Carias Andino changed the capital because of its proximity to the San Juancito mines
St. John'sBritish Leeward Islands1671 and 18331816 and 1958

Oceania

Old capital cityCountryToday a part ofdata-sort-type="number"Fromdata-sort-type="number"UntilChange, reason
MelbourneAustraliaAustralia1927Melbourne was the de facto seat of Government from 1901 until 1927, when in 1908, it was decided that the planned city of Canberra be the capital city and seat of Government.[4] [5]
LevukaColony of FijiFiji18741877moved to Suva
Jabor, Jaluit AtollMarshall Islands DistrictMarshall Islands18851978moved to Majuro Atoll
KoloniaFederated States of MicronesiaFederated States of Micronesia19861989moved to Palikir
Okiato (Russell)Colony of New ZealandNew Zealand18401841moved to Auckland. Several Māori chiefs offered land at Tāmaki-makau-rau (Auckland) so a capital could be established there.[6]
AucklandColony of New ZealandNew Zealand18411865moved to Wellington. In 1863 it was proposed that the capital be moved somewhere on the shores of Cook Strait. An independent tribunal decided on the location. They visited a number of sites and chose Wellington.[7]
KororPalauPalau19942006moved to Ngerulmud
TulagiBritish Solomon IslandsSolomon Islands18961942moved to Honiara
Notes

South America

Old capital cityCountryToday a part ofdata-sort-type="number"Fromdata-sort-type="number"UntilChange, reason
CuzcoInca EmpirePerudata-sort-value="1200"fl. 13th century1534Inca Empire conquered and taken over by the Spanish, who designated Jauja as their administration site
CoroVenezuela, Captaincy General ofVenezuela15271578moved to Caracas to prevent an invasion due to its large coastline.
Cidade do Acre (Porto Acre)Acre, Republic ofBrazil18991900returned to Bolivia, then incorporated into Brazil
JaujaNew Castile GovernoratePeru15341535moved to Lima along the coastline in 1535
PerquencoAraucanía and Patagonia, Kingdom ofChile18601862incorporated to Chile and Argentina
ParanáArgentine ConfederationArgentina18531861moved to Buenos Aires, after the secessionist State of Buenos Aires rejoined Argentina
Salvador da BahiaColonial BrazilBrazil15491763moved to Rio de Janeiro
Rio de JaneiroPortugal, Kingdom ofBrazil18081815became 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 JaneiroPortugal, Brazil and the Algarves; Kingdom ofBrazil18151825It 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 JaneiroBrazilBrazil17631960moved to Brasília
ConcepciónChile, Captaincy General ofChile15651575moved to Santiago
Concepción del UruguayEntre Ríos, Republic ofArgentina18201821country dissolved (and incorporated to Argentina) after the death of Francisco Ramírez
LagunaJuliana RepublicBrazil18361836reincorporated into the Brazilian Empire after the Ragamuffin War
(near Paysandú)Liga FederalUruguay18151820country dissolved
San Miguel de TucumánTucumán, Republic ofArgentina18201821country dissolved and incorporated to Argentina
TacnaPeru–Bolivian ConfederationPeru18371839country ceased to exist
PiratiniRiograndense RepublicBrazil18361845reincorporated into the Brazilian Empire after the Ragamuffin War
PastoGrenadine ConfederationColombia18621862country ceased to exist
TunjaUnited Provinces of New GranadaColombia18111814moved to Bogotá

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: Nick Eberstadt. The End of North Korea. 1999. American Enterprise Institute. Washington. 978-0-8447-4087-4. 26, 32.
  2. Book: Pakistan Affairs. 1968. Information Division, Embassy of Pakistan.. 19.
  3. Web site: Genesis of Bangladesh's Constitution. The Daily Star. 17 April 2016. 19 April 2016.
  4. Web site: Canberra, the Seat of Government . 25 August 2016. nca.gov.au . National Capital Authority . 13 February 2021 .
  5. Chapter VII . 125 . Australia . 19 July 1900; 1 January 1901 .
  6. Web site: Capital city.
  7. Web site: Capital city.