hildesheim is one of the oldest cities in north germany. the city may have been founded when the bishop moved from elze to the innerste ford, where it was an important market on the hellweg trade route. the settlement soon grew into a town which was granted market rights by king otto iii in 983. originally the market was held on a street called old market ("alter markt"), which still exists today. the first market place was laid out around saint andrew's church. as the city grew larger, a larger market place became more important. the current market place in hildesheim was made at the start of the 13th century when the city had a population of about 5,000. when hildesheim obtained city rights in 1249, it was one of the largest cities in northern germany. for four centuries the clergy ruled hildesheim, before a city hall was built and the citizens gained some influence and independence. construction of the present city hall started in 1268, and in 1367 hildesheim became a member of the hanseatic league. a war between the citizens and their bishop cost dearly in 1519-1523 when they engaged in a feud. hildesheim became protestant in 1542, and only the cathedral and a few other buildings remained in imperial (roman catholic) hands. several villages around the city remained roman catholic as well. in 1813, after the napoleonic wars, the town became part of the kingdom of hanover, which was annexed by the kingdom of prussia after the austro-prussian war in 1866 as a province.