Germany, Freiburg

Freiburg is a city in Baden-Württemberg, Germany (where it is officially known by its full name, Freiburg im Breisgau), on the western edge of the southern Black Forest (German: Schwarzwald). Popular opinion has it that Freiburg is the warmest city in Germany. It straddles the Dreisam river, on the foothills of the Schlossberg.

History

Freiburg was founded in the 12th century by Duke Konrad of Zähringen as a free market town, hence its name, which translates to "Free (or Independent) Castle". It was strategically located at a junction of trade routes between the Mediterranean and the North Sea, and the Rhine and the Danube rivers.

The city was heavily bombed during World War II. In 1940 German planes mistakenly dropped approximately 60 bombs on Freiburg near the train station. An Allied bombing of the city in November 1944 destroyed a large portion of the city. Most of city centre was leveled, with the notable exception of the Münster. After the war, the city was rebuilt on its medieval plan.

Culture

Because of its scenic beauty, relatively warm and sunny climate and easy access to the Black Forest, Freiburg is a hub for regional tourism. The longest cable car run in Germany, which is 3.6 km, or about 2.25 miles long runs from Gunterstal up to a nearby mountain called Schauinsland.

Education

Freiburg is a famous center of academics and research. Some of the greatest minds have lived and worked in Freiburg and the city houses one of the oldest and most renowned German universities, the Albert Ludwigs University of Freiburg, as well as its equally prestigious medical center.

Sports

Freiburg is home to football team SC Freiburg. Their home stadium is Badenova-Stadion. The home of the EHC Freiburg is the Franz-Siegel Halle. Freiburger FC are a club which had early success in the 20th century, but now compete in lower divisions.

Transportation

Freiburg has an extensive pedestrian zone in the city centre where no automobiles are allowed. Freiburg also has an excellent public transit system, anchored by a continually expanding web of tram routes known as the Straßenbahn.

Freiburg is on the main Frankfurt am Main - Basel train line with frequent and fast long-distance train services to major German and other European cities.

Freiburg is served by Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg International Airport, actually located in France. This is now a base for the low-cost carrier, EasyJet. The airport Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden (Baden Airpark) is situated approximately 120 km north of Freiburg and is served by, inter alia, the low-cost carrier Ryanair.