Freiburg im Breisgau

Freiburg im Breisgau is a major city in the German state of Baden-Württemberg.

It is the fourth-largest city in its state, following Stuttgart, Mannheim, and Karlsruhe. The city sits at the southwestern foothills of the Black Forest. It is located in the Breisgau, which is one of Germany's warmest regions. The city lies in the southern part of the Upper Rhine Plain. To the south, the city is near the border of Switzerland. The city limits extend from the Schauinsland summit to the east of the French border.

This location makes it a gateway to the scenic Black Forest for many tourists.

The city is built around the Dreisam River, which is a tributary of the Elz. A unique feature of the urban landscape is the Bächle. These are small, open water runnels that flow through the old town. They are fed by water diverted from the Dreisam River. These streams run along almost every street and alley in the city center.

Historically, these runnels provided water for livestock and for fighting fires. Today, they provide natural cooling during the summer. They also create a constant gurgling sound throughout the streets. Local legend says that stepping into a Bächle leads to marrying a local resident.

Freiburg has a long history of independence and wealth. It was founded in 1120 by Konrad and Duke Berthold III of the House of Zähringen. The name translates to "free town" or "fortified town of free citizens." This reflects its origins as a free market town. In the 1300s, the city became one of the richest in Europe. This wealth came from silver mines located on Mount Schauinsland. Because of this wealth, Freiburg minted its own coin, the Rappenpfennig, in 1327.

The city also joined a monetary alliance called the Rappenpfennig Collective in 1377. This alliance included the cities of Basel, Colmar, and Breisach.

The city is also a significant center for education and religion. The University of Freiburg, or Albert-Ludwigs-Universität, was founded in 1457. It remains one of the oldest universities in Germany.

The city is also known for the Freiburg Minster. This cathedral was built between approximately 1200 and 1513. It is a Gothic architectural masterpiece.

In 1828, Freiburg became the seat of a Catholic archbishop. This established the city as an important ecclesiastical center for the Upper Rhine region.

Freiburg experienced significant hardship during the 20th century. During World War II, the city was heavily bombed. In May 1940, German aircraft mistakenly dropped bombs near the railway station. This incident killed 57 people, including 22 children. Later, on 27 November 1944, an RAF Bomber Command raid destroyed much of the city center. Only the Minster and some houses to its southeast escaped heavy damage. The city also suffered during the Holocaust. The Nazi government deported the Jewish population to camps like Gurs and Auschwitz. Today, memorials like the marble footprint mark the site of the former synagogue.

After the war, Freiburg was part of the French Zone of Occupation. The French Army remained in the city until 1991. Since then, the city has focused on modern, sustainable living. The Vauban district is a notable example of this. It is a sustainable model district built on a former French Army base. Many households in Vauban use solar power for electricity.

Because of these efforts, Freiburg was named the European City of the Year for urbanism in 2010. This award recognized the city's exemplary sustainable urban practices.

Today, Freiburg is a major hub for regional tourism and science. Its warm climate and proximity to the Black Forest attract many visitors. People can use the long cable car to travel from Günterstal to the Schauinsland mountain. The city's population in the built-up area is about 355,000. The wider metropolitan area includes about 660,000 people. Freiburg continues to balance its deep historical roots with a focus on the future of the environment.