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Freiburg Im Breisgau

a town of Germany, Republic of Baden; 32 miles N. N. E. of Basel. It is an open, well-built town; the walls and ditches with which it was formerly surrounded have been converted into promenades and vineyards. The cathedral, one of the most beautiful and perfect specimens of Gothic architecture in Germany, cruciform in shape, and built of red sandstone, was begun in 1122, but not completed till 1513. Its W. steeple, 381 feet high, is remarkable for its elegance and lightness. The university was founded in 1455. The chief manufactures are sewing silk, cotton and thread, buttons, artificial beads, chicory, paper, parquetry, etc. Wine and timber are the chief articles of trade. Freiburg is the seat of a Catholic archbishop . Founded in 1091 by the Duke of Zähringen, and created a town in 1115, Freiburg has repeatedly changed masters; twice it was given over to France (1679-1697 and 1744-1748). It also played an eventful part in the Thirty Years' War. In 1806 it fell to Baden; and in 1848 the Baden revolutionists were defeated here by the troops of the German confederation.

Pop. about 83,000.