Freiburg was founded just before the turn of the 12th century, after the House of Zähringen built a castle on Schloßberg in 1091. The small settlement on the site of todays southern old town and Oberlinden was chartered as a free market town by Konrad and Duke Bertold III in 1120.

The market rights, the favourable location and the silver mines in the Black Forest soon led Freiburg to grow into a prosperous and influential city. In 1200, Bertold V initiated the construction of a new, large parish church, Freiburg Cathedral. The citizens of Freiburg later took on the financial responsibility for building the Cathedral, which was completed as early as 1513 - making it the only German cathedral to be completed in the Gothic style.

In the mid-14th century Freiburg bought its liberty from a local count, and turned itself over to the protection of the Habsburgs, who allowed it to retain a large amount of freedom. Around 1200 the city began construction of its Münster on the site of an older parish church.

The end of the Middle Ages and the beginning of the Renaissance was a time of both advances and tragedy for Freiburg. In 1457 Duke Albrecht VI established Albert-Ludwigs-Universität, one of Germany's oldest universities.

In 1520, the city undertook a set of legal reforms, widely known as the most progressive of the times. They attempted to create a balance between the old city traditions and old Roman Law. The reforms receive extensive acceptance, especially the sections dealing with civil process law, punishment and the city's constitution. Also in 1520, Freiburg decided against joining the Reformation and became an important center for Catholicism on the Upper Rhine.

In 1536, a strong and persistent belief in witchcraft lead to the city's first witchhunt. The need to find a reason for tragedies such as the Black Plague, which claimed 2000 area residents in 1564, lead to an escalation in witch hunting until it reached its peak in 1599.

The 17th, 18th and 19th centuries were turbulent times for Freiburg. Through battles in the Thirty Years War and other conflicts, the city belonged at various times to the Austrians, the French, the Swedish, the Spanish and various members of the German Confederacy. 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 1944 damaged it further. Most of Freiburg's city centre was leveled, with the notable exception of the Münster.

After the war, the city was rebuilt on its medieval plan. It became for a short time the site of government for the German state Badenia, which was merged into Baden-Württemberg soon after. It was occupied by the French Army, in 1945 They maintained a presence in the city until 1991, when the last tank division left the city. On the site of the former French army base, a new carfree neighborhood of 5,000 people, Vauban, was begun in the late 1990s as a "sustainable model district". Solar power is used to power many of the households in this small community.

Today, the city has around 200,000 inhabitants, among them 30,000 students at the university, polytechnical colleges and the teaching college. Many research institutions also benefit from the proximity of the university.

Freiburg's prosperity is mainly based on the many small- and medium-sized companies in the service industry, medical technology, pharmaceuticals, solar energy, bio-technology and electronics.

Timelines

1091

First mention of the founding of Freiburg. In various chronicles the founding year is listed as 1111, 1112, 1118 and 1122.

1120

Konrad of Zähringen, the brother of the ruling Duke Bertold III, founds the market in Freiburg. Because of its closeness to the important trade routes, the market grows quickly in importance. A founding decree includes 80 entries, which spell out the rights and duties of the Duke and the citizens.

1122

Duke Bertold III is interred in the Cloister of St.Peter (founded in 1093). The Bertoldsbrunnen is erected in Freiburg's center in his honor.

1152

King Konrad III and Friedrich Rotbart, Duke of Swabia, tarry in Freiburg.

1178

Pope Alexander III approves Freiburg´s possession of the Cistercian Abbey in Tennenbach.

1186

Bertold V comes to power after the death of his father.

1196

Rudolf of Zähringen, (the Bishop of Lüttich and the Duke's uncle), dies in his village Herdern and is buried in St. Peter. Saint Lambert of Lüttich's relics are placed in the castle's chapel: He will later become Freiburg's patron saint. Duke Bertold V founds the city of Bern.

1198

Opponents of the Staufer force Bertold V to put forth his candidacy as the successor to Heinrich IV. He agrees at first, but then makes an arrangement with Phillipp of Swabia and doesn't appear at the election in Köln (Cologne).

1200

Around 1200 the city begins construction of a cathedral on the site of an older parish church. Designed on the lines of Basel's Minster, the church will become the present Münster Unserer Lieben Frau (Cathedral of Our Beloved Lady).

1218

Bertold V is buried in the new cathedral. He dies without siring male heirs as thus, the last ruler of the House of Zähringen.

1218

Count Egino of Ulrach, brother-in-law of Bertold V, inherits and becomes Count of Freiburg.

1220

The Cistercian Abbey acquires the Tennenbacher Hof.

1223

Mention of the 24 Freiburg City Councilors.

1224

First mention of the Cistercian Abbey in Günterstal

1236

Dominicans are allowed to settle in Freiburg.

1245

Count Konrad I and his brother Heinrich divide the lands under their control. Konrad receives Freiburg and the Breisgau

1246

The Order of Franciscans receives gifts from Count Konrad.

1248

A new city constitution. The city councils members (principally composed of Nobels and businessmen), vote to increase the council's size by adding 24 members who shall be elected each year.

1258

Freiburg joins the alliance of Rhine cities.

1260

Earliest mention of a Latin school.

1264

Berta of Breisach establishes the city of Lehen.

1275

A new city constitution. Nobels' rights are decreased. King Rudolf of Habsburg lays siege to Freiburg.

1278

Because of a conflict with the King, the Zähringer Castle is destroyed

1279

Second siege of Freiburg through Rudolf of Habsburg's son.

1282

Third siege of Freiburg by Rudolf of Habsburg. A peace agreement is reached and the Zähringer Castle is rebuilt.

1282

Rudolf of Habsburg declares Freiburg to be a free city.

1288

A document establishes the official size of the city. This will first be amended in 1850.

1293

A new city constitution. The mayor is subject to a civil government and must be elected each year.

1299

Battle between Freiburg citizens and the allied troops of the Count and his brother-in-law, the Bishop of Strasbourg. A butcher kills the Bishop and the citizens win the battle. As signs of atonement, the Bishop's Linde is planted and the Bishop's Cross-displayed.

1301

King Albrecht grants Freiburg the right of autonomous jurisdiction. The City is no longer subject to the rulings of other courts.

1303

First mention of the Rathauses (City Hall).

1307

There is peace between the citizens and the city councilmen. Only the mayor must be approved by the Count.

1316

Following a lengthy dispute, Count Egino II turns over the rule of the city to his son Konrad.

1318-1324

War between Üsenberg, Falkenstein and Endingen lords. Because of destruction in the Breisgau, they establish the Suhnekappelle (Chapel of Atonement) for the Cathedral.

1326

Formation of a city alliance to maintain peace between Freiburg and Basel. The cities of Zürich, Bern, Mainz, Worms, Konstanz, Linz and Strasbourg join.

1327

The city is awarded minting rights.

1349

The pest claims many lives in the city and leads to a wave of persecution against Jews.

1353

The Franciscan monk Berthold Schwarz discovers gun powder.

1366/67

The city has a falling out with its debt ridden city lords. In anticipation of an attack by the Count's forces, the citizens attack his Schloßberg castle and are defeated, in spite of help from the cities of Basel, Breisach, Neuenburg and Kenzing.

1368

Freiburg purchases its freedom from Count Eugino III for the outrageous sum of 15,000 silver marks, and then turns itself over willingly to the protection of the House of Habsburg. The Habsburg's permit the City to retain its constitution and guarantees a large measure of self-government. Freiburg obtains the castle.

1378

The Historische Kaufhaus(Historical Selling House) is mentioned for the first time.

1386

Duke Leopold III and a large portion of the city fall in the battle against the confederates.

1389

Freiburg citizens destroy Falkenstein's nest of robber barons.

1392

Duke Leopold reduces the guild regimes' power in Freiburg.

1404

Freiburg joins an alliance of cities on the Upper Rhine, which use the Rappen (a certain type of coin).

1415

Freiburg is now without a ruler and becomes a free city

1422/24

The City and its allies defeat the Earl of Baden near Mühlburg.

1424

All Jews are expelled from the City. Not until 1809 will Jews who participate in trade be tolerated in the city.

1427

Duke Friedrich is vindicated and is given back the city.

1457

Duke Albrecht VI establishes a university in Freiburg on September 21.

1460

The University is opened with great festivities. Matthäus Hummel from Villigen is the first rector.

1461

Duke Siegmund is excommunicated and Albrecht VI takes over as city ruler.

1462

Freiburg purchases additional territory.

1464

Duke Siegmund, since 1463 once again the city ruler, agrees to a Guild Constitution.

1473

Kaiser Friedrich III and his 14-year old son Maximilian (who will eventually become Kaiser,) visit Freiburg.

1474/76

Duke Siegmund and the confederates reconcile. Freiburg troops support the successful Swiss in the battle against Karl the Bold, Duke of Burgundy.

1487/88

Siegmund is forced to turn over the ruler ship of Freiburg to King Maximilian.

1491

Freiburg obtains Kirchzarten and its water-surrounded castle.

1498

Imperial Diet in Freiburg.

1498/99

Freiburg contributes numerous troops and material to Maximilian's war offensives.

1507

The city obtains the right to mint gold coins.

1520

The "Nüwe Stattrechten und Statuten der loblichen Statt Fryburg im Pryszgow gelegen" (New Rights and Statutes of the Laudable City of Freiburg in Breisgau) - a reform of the old city rights from the time of Freiburg's founding- is published. Its author is Ulrich Zasius (1461-1535), City writer, law professor, and humanist. The new reforms are known as the most progressive of the times. They attempt to create a balance between the old city traditions and Roman Law The reforms receive extensive acceptance, especially the sections dealing with to civil process law, punishment and the city's constitution. Freiburg decides against the Reformation and becomes an important bastion for Catholicism on the Oberrhein (Upper Rhine).

1522

Approximately 2000 writings of the Reformation are publicly burned.

1525

The Big Peasant War: Freiburg is occupied and under mild conditions, persuaded to participate in the movement. The resistance movement is bloodily suppressed in Elsaß (Alsace).

1529

Basel's suffragan bishop and the Cathedral Chapter flee from the Reformation to Freiburg. Erasmus of Rotterdam lives for six years in the city.

1546

The obsessive belief in witches leads to the first victims of witch-hunts in Freiburg.

1562/63

Kaiser Ferdinand visits Freiburg and stays in the Haus zum Walfisch

1564

2000 people die from the pest.

1587

The Cathedral Chapter of Basel acquires the present Basler Hof

1599

The persecution of witches reaches its peak.

1620

Against the City's will, Archduke Leopold V allows Jesuits to settle in Freiburg as a form of Counter Reformation.

1632

Swedish troops conquer Freiburg in the 30 Years' War.

1638

Duke Bernhard of Saxon-Weimar, an ally of France, lays siege to the city and is given control of Freiburg on April 2nd.

1639

Following Bernhard's death, French troops once again occupy the territory.

1642/43

Freiburg's council pays homage to Ludwig XIII, King of France..

1644

Der bayrische FeldmarschalThe Bavarian Field Marshall Franz of Mercy forces the hand over of the city and has a bloody battle with the occupying French troops on the Lorettoberg.

1648

Troops from France and Weimar attempt an unsuccessful siege of Freiburg. The Treaty of Westphalia brings a new order to the Oberrhein (Upper Rhine). Freiburg looses its territories in Alsace and the river Rhine becomes the new border to France.

1657

Master of the Guilds Christoph Mang donates the Loretto Chapel in memory of the Lorettoberg battle.

1677

Ludwig XIV laws siege to Freiburg and captures the city on November 16th.

1679

In the Peace Treaty of Nimwegen, Freiburg is handed over to France. The city ramparts are rebuilt under Vauban's supervision.

1681

Ludwig XIV takes up quarters in the Basler Hof and inspects the ramparts.

1682

Ludwig XIV donates a new university, which is bilingual and based on French models.

1697

The Treaty of Rijswijk places Freiburg and Breisach once again in the Empire.

1703

As a consequence of the war over the inheritance of the Spanish throne, Kaiser Leopold I gives back Freiburg its old privileges.

1708

The nobility is removed from all city posts.

1713

French troops lay siege to Freiburg. Ferdinand Mayer negotiates courageously and the city is surrendered without a battle. He is later granted a title.

1714

Freiburg and Breisach are once more returned to the Empire in the Treaty of Rastatt.

1729

The linden tree that still exists today in Oberlinden (Upper Linden) is planted.

1744

The French once again occupies the city. Before departing the city, they raze Freiburg's ramparts to the ground.

1773

The Jesuit Order is abolished by a papal decree.

1781

Abolishment of serfdom.

1782

The beginning of secularisation: The Kartäuser and Klarissen Cloisters are abolished.

1783

A new Magisterial Constitution ends the city's self government.

1789

The French Revolution. Many French emigrants flee to Freiburg.

1794

In light of an imminent French invasion, Freiburg citizens and students form an honour corps to defend the city.

1796

French revolutionary troops occupy Freiburg and are then repelled by Archduke Karl's army.

1798

The Treaty of Campo Formio between France and Austria promises Freiburg to Duke Herkules III of Modena as compensation. Because of the limited income, he turns the offer down.

1800

The French General Tareau occupies the city and holds it for ransom. He demands payments of contribution.

1801

The Duke of Modena's right to the city is confirmed, but he still refuses to take up reign. Thus, the city remains under French occupation.

1805

After Napoleon's victories near Oberelchingen (Ulm) and Austerlitz, the Breisgau and Freiburg belong to the electoral prince of Baden, who is a descendent of the Zähringer.

1807

A Zähringer descendent builds the Bertoldsbrunnen as a historical monument to celebrate Freiburg?s return to rule.

1813/14

During the War of Liberation, 660,000 soldiers from the Austrian, Prussian, and Russian allied armies pass through Freiburg.

1816/17

As a result of the war, Freiburg lives through a time of price increases and poverty.

1821

A papal bull declares that Freiburg shall succeed Konstanz as the seat of the Archbishop.

1845

The railway line between Freiburg and Offenburg is built.

1848/49

The Baden Revolution: The revolutionary movement, which was latent until March, spreads from Baden to all the German states. The movement advocates freedom of the press, jury courts and a general German parliament.

1849

Because Freiburg is the seat of the provision revolutionary government, it is subject to a temporary occupation by Prussian troops.

1852

The city has 16,441 residents.

1864

A government edict recognizes the Israelite community as a public body.

1870/71

The Franco-Prussian war: Baden's 5th Infantry Regiment is stationed in Freiburg and fights near Belfort.

1876

The festive unveiling of the Siegesdenkmals (Victory Monument).

1885

The 1000th student matriculates.

1900

For the first time, women are allowed to study at the University.

1910

The Stadttheaters (City Theatre) is opened.

1915

Food rationing begins. The first bombs fall.

1918

On November 9th, people on the Karlsplatz cry for revolution. Soldiers' councils are established. The Grand Duke abdicates his thrown and Baden becomes a republic.

1932

8000 of Freiburg's 100,000 residents are unemployed. Hitler speaks in Mösle Stadium.

1936

Freiburg once again becomes a garrison city.

1937

German-French war front veterans meet and talk of atonement and peace.

1938

Freiburg's Synagogue is burned during the Nazi organized Crystal Night pogrom. All Jewish men under the age of 85 are arrested.

1940

German planes mistakenly drop approximately 60 bombs on Freiburg near the train station. 57 people are killed. Until the end of the war, the bombing is officially declared to be an enemy attack.

1944

Trench workers and Volksturm (form of citizens army) receive orders. The Vichy government flees through Freiburg to Sigmaringen. On the 27th of November, air attacks destroy a large portion of Freiburg..

1945

French tanks roll into Freiburg on April 21st. On October 28th, General Charles de Gaulle leads the victory parade on the Kaiser-Joseph-Straße.

1951

Freiburg votes in the plebiscite with 52.2% in favour of Baden remaining an individual state. The City is outvoted by other sections of the land.

1957

Albert-Ludwigs-Universität is 500 years old

1959

Besancon becomes Freiburg's first partner city, followed by: Innsbruck (1963); Padua (1968); and Guildford (1979). (See Partner Cities).

1960

Approximately 10,000 students are enrolled in the University. Freiburg has 140,000 residents.

1970

850 years of market privileges. A repetition of the 1951 plebiscite. Only 18.1% vote for a sovereign Baden.

1974

Freiburg's population is now 180,000, with approximately 16,000 students.

1991

The three remaining French tank divisions stationed in Freiburg are discharged and take their leave as part of the reduction of allied troops in Germany.