FREIBERG, the mining capital of Saxony, stands on the Münnzbach, not far from its confluence with the Mulde, and 19 miles S.W. of Dresden. It is an ancient imperial city, and was long the residence of the Saxon princes, who bestowed upon it many important privileges. The town is well built, paved, and lighted, and is still surrounded by its old walls. It is the seat of the general administration of the mines throughout the kingdom, and owes its rise to the discovery of its silver mines in the twelfth century. Its celebrated academy was founded in 1765, and is frequented by students from all parts of Europe. These are instructed in the practice as well as the theory of mining,
and enjoy great facilities for study from the extensive collections of minerals and models, and the library connected with the academy. Among its distinguished scholars it reckons Werner (who was also a professor here), Humboldt, Mohs, and Jameson. The centennial birthday of Werner was celebrated here with great pomp on 25th September 1850. Freiburg has also a high mining school, gymnasium, normal seminary, orphan asylum, theatre, &c. The old castle of Freudenstein or Freistein, situated in one of its suburbs, is now used as a corn magazine. The cathedral is an elegant Gothic edifice of the fifteenth century—having a richly adorned portal in the Byzantine style, called the Golden Gate. It contains numerous monuments, among which is one in memory of Prince Maurice of Saxony, who fell in the battle of Siever-shausen in 1553, and another to Werner, who is interred here. In the Lady Chapel adjoining, are the remains of Henry the Pious and his successors, down to Johann Georg IV. who died in 1694. Freiburg has extensive manufactures of gold and silver lace, woollen cloths, linen and cotton goods, lace, iron, copper, and brass wares, shot, gunpowder, white-lead, &c. It has also several large breweries. In the vicinity are about 130 mines of silver, lead, copper, cobalt, &c., giving employment to upwards of 5000 miners. At Halsbrücke, 3 miles from the town, are extensive smelting works and foundries. Pop. (1849) 14,151.