The large volume on 1250 years of Bretten and the successful exhibition "Around 1500. The End of the Middle Ages." With 15 contributions, this richly illustrated book introduces the exciting period around 1500 - an era of transition in which the foundations of the modern world were laid. The early modern period succeeded the late Middle Ages, with Gothic architecture ending as the Renaissance emerged. Revolutionary changes were evident in all areas: in politics, economics, medicine, warfare, and not least in the thoughts and daily lives of people. The authors vividly and engagingly trace these developments. Contributions by Peter Bahn, Doris Frisch, Judith Fritz, Hermann Fülberth, Matthias Goll, Manfred Klöpfer, Frank Merkel, Heiko P. Wacker, Bernhard Wendel, Malte Zürn.