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FREISING
- GERMANY
Freising (List of European cities with
alternative names) is a city in Bavaria, Germany, capital of the district
Freising. Geographical location 48° 24' North, 11° 44' East. Population
40,000.
The city is located north of Munich at the Isar river, near the Franz Josef
Strauß International Airport.
History
Even though archaeological finds show that the area was settled in the
Bronze Age, no proof has been found yet to suggest a continuous settlement
until the 8th century Frigisinga. Saint Korbinian was the founder of the
diocese Freising, according to legend using a bear to carry his luggage over
the Alps. The bear is still symbol of the city, displayed in the coat of
arms. The diocese was moved to Munich in 1821. Freising remains seat of
diocese administration until today.
764-783 Bishop Arbeo founds a library and scriptorium. The settlement starts
to become a religious center. In 996 Freising received city rights from
Emperor Otto III. After the foundation of Munich just 40 km south around
1150 Freising starts to lose its economic significance. 1159 construction of
the cathedral at its current location. 1803 the Catholic Church loses most
of its properties and rule over the city. Freising is now ruled by the kings
of Bavaria.
Cultural significance
Freising is one of the oldest settlements in Bavaria gaining importance by
becoming a major religious center of Bavaria in the early middle ages. It
was and still is the center of an important diocese. Some important
historical documents have been created from 900 to 1200 in its monastery.
Freising manuscripts written in Slovenian, being the first written recording
of a Slavic language
Chronicle or history of the two cities by Otto of Freising
The above and other scripts from that time can be found in the Bayrische
Staatsbibliothek (Bavarian state library) in Munich today.
Famous citizens
Otto of Freising (1112 - 1158), bishop
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