Freiberg, an antique paradise in the state of Saxony, retains odes to its wealthy past as a mining town of antiquity and has aged gracefully much like a wondrously exciting cognac. Tributes to its elegant past are to be seen everywhere as you wander around the Old Town quarters of the Obermarkt.
The market square is where you can easily spend the better part of a day admiring the stately buildings with their rich detail and picturesque beauty. Standing out in this elegant crowd is the Town Hall dating back to the 15th century, followed closely by the Lorenzkapelle and the Kaufhaus.
The 17th century Schönlebehaus is yet another beauty worthy of admiration. Examples of exquisite gothic and early renaissance architecture abound in the area and will surely have you spell bound.
The Freiberg Cathedral, however, towers over the rest of them with its gothic spires delicately reaching out to the blue skies. The interiors can only be termed poetry in stone and wood. Note the details on the “Tulip Pulpit,” and the “Miner’s Pulpit.” You will also love the ancient organ preserved in excellent condition.
While on the topic of exquisite architecture, don’t miss the Schloss Freudenstein, a perfect rendering of the 16th century renaissance style and the Nikolaikirche, a wonderful instance of late gothic elegance.
In Freiberg there’s no escaping its silver mining history. The best place to learn all about it would have to be the Silbergwerke or the Silver Mines where work was carried out right up to the 20th century. Here’s your chance to go down into a mine and get a first hand experience of how it used to be like.
Museums in Freiberg offer a rich display of local history and art. Visit the Natural History Museum, the Municipal and Mining Museum, and the Mineral Collection and come away well-informed and enlightened.
Frauenstein, about 20km (12mi) away from Freiberg, is another spot worth visiting for the wonderful Museums and history. Here’s where you’ll find the remains of a burned down palace and castle which now houses a museum. Nearby is the Heimatmuseum displaying the works of a renowned organ builder, Gottfried Silbermann.
