Rottenburg had been an exclave of Austria for more than 400 years, until it became part of Württemberg by the Treaty of Pressburg in 1805.

While the Reformation succeeded in Württemberg and Tübingen became Protestant Rottenburg remained Catholic.

In 1821 the Roman Catholic Diocese of Rottenburg was founded by Papal Bull De salute animarum.

Since its foundation in 1817, the Faculty of Roman-Catholic Theology gave rise to a number of important Catholic theologians.

Famous professors of the faculty were Joseph Ratzinger (later Pope Benedikt XVI) and Hans Küng, who was withdrawn of canonical mission because of his rejection of the doctrine of papal infallibility.