Sparnberg was first mentioned in a document in 1202. The von Sparnberg family came to the Fichtelgebirge as followers of the Diepoldinger family from Haidstein near Cham. Initially, it was customary to name themselves after the place where they lived, but later they stuck to a fixed name. Thus, during the settlement policy that began in today's Upper Franconian and Thuringian region, the von Haidstein, in 1170 with Getto von Waldstein, the von Waldstein, the von Sparrenberg, and in 1223 the von Sparneck (Sparrenhecke) appear. In the document of November 10, 1223, Rüdiger von Sparneck (Rudegerus de Sparrenhecke), his brother Arnold von Sparnberg and Rüdiger's sons appear as witnesses at a court meeting in Eger. In 1302, Sparnberg is granted town charter (see list of former towns in Germany). In 1379, King Wenceslas elevated Sparnberg to the status of a market town. From 1815 to 1945, Sparnberg was Prussian The period from 1945 to 1989 had a very strong impact on Sparnberg, as the town was located directly on the newly created zonal border between the American sphere of influence on the Franconian side and the Russians on the Thuringian side. In 1945, the Saale bridges were blown up and the border demarcated.

1989 was one of the most important years in Sparnberg's recent history. Until reunification, the village was completely surrounded by fences, walls and barbed wire. It is remarkable that the protective strip in Sparnberg was only opened in December 1989. Until then, it was possible to enter the Federal Republic of Germany - but not Sparnberg. Everything remained the same here for the time being. During this time, every action taken by the inhabitants of Sparnberg was watched with suspicion by GDR officials.

In 1990, the temporary footbridge over the Saale was erected. At the same time, initial planning began for the construction of a permanent bridge on the site of the former covered wooden bridge. The go-ahead for the construction work was given in 1991.