Freising

Freising
Name	Freising
Type	Town
State	Bavaria
District	Freising
Elevation	448
Area	88.45
Population	49,339
Population as of	2022
Coordinates	48, 24, N, 11...
Postal code	85354, 85356
Area code	08161
Licence	FS
Mayor	Tobias Eschenbacher
Party	SPD
Website	www.freising.de

Freising. A historic town in Bavaria, Germany, it is one of the oldest settlements in the state and served as a crucial ecclesiastical center for centuries. Located north of Munich on the Isar river, it is renowned for its majestic cathedral hill, its long association with the Prince-Bishopric of Freising, and as the home of the Weihenstephan brewery, considered the world's oldest. Today, it functions as a vibrant administrative hub and university town, blending deep tradition with modern academic and economic life.

History

The area's significance began with early settlements by the Celts and later the Romans, evidenced by archaeological finds. The town's documented history starts around 724 AD when the Frankish missionary Saint Corbinian founded a bishopric here, with his symbol, the Bear of Saint Corbinian, becoming a lasting emblem. Under the rule of the Prince-Bishopric of Freising, the diocese became a powerful independent state within the Holy Roman Empire, with bishops like Otto of Freising contributing greatly to medieval historiography. The Freising manuscripts, dating from the 10th century, contain the oldest surviving writings in a Slovene dialect. In 1803, the bishopric was secularized during the German Mediatisation and incorporated into the Kingdom of Bavaria. The town later became a district capital and evolved with the establishment of the Weihenstephan Science Centre for Life and Food Sciences.

Geography

Freising is situated in the Bavarian Alpine Foreland, approximately 35 kilometers northeast of central Munich on the banks of the Isar river. The town's most distinctive topographical feature is the Domberg (Cathedral Hill), a moraine hill offering panoramic views, alongside the lower town in the Isar valley. It lies within the Freising district and is part of the Munich Metropolitan Region. The landscape is characterized by the fertile Hallertau region to the north, one of the world's largest continuous hop-growing areas, and features several smaller streams and the Moisach river. Its proximity to Munich Airport, located on former municipal territory, significantly influences its modern connectivity and development.

Main sights

The skyline is dominated by the twin towers of the Freising Cathedral (Mariendom), a Romanesque and Baroque basilica on the Domberg containing the renowned Bestiensäule (Beast Column). Adjacent to the cathedral are the Benediktuskirche and the historic Bishop's Residence, housing the Diocesan Museum of Freising. The Weihenstephan Abbey complex, home to the Weihenstephan Brewery and the TU Munich campus, is a major attraction. Other notable sites include the St. Georg parish church, the Asam Church of St. Peter and Paul, and the Old Town Hall on the bustling Marienplatz. The Sichtungsgarten Weihenstephan botanical gardens and the Freisinger Moos wetlands offer significant natural and recreational spaces.

Economy

The economy is diverse, anchored by the presence of Munich Airport in nearby Erding, which hosts numerous logistics, service, and aviation companies like Lufthansa. The Weihenstephan Science Centre, part of the Technical University of Munich and the University of Applied Sciences Weihenstephan-Triesdorf, drives innovation in agriculture, brewing, and food technology. Traditional industries include the famed Weihenstephan Brewery and hop-related agriculture from the surrounding Hallertau region. Major employers also include technology firms, retail centers, and public administration offices for the Freising district. The service sector is robust, supported by tourism related to the town's historical and cultural assets.

Culture

Cultural life is deeply influenced by its ecclesiastical history and academic institutions. The Domberg serves as a central venue for events like the annual Freisinger Gmoamusik festival. The town hosts the Freisinger Kultursommer, featuring open-air concerts and theatrical performances. The Diocesan Museum of Freising exhibits important religious art, while the Museum of Hop Growing and Brewing in nearby Wolnzach highlights regional heritage. The Bavarian State Research Center for Agriculture and the academic institutions foster a vibrant student culture with numerous lectures and public science events. Traditional Bavarian customs are celebrated during the Freisinger Frühling and various Christmas markets.

Notable people

Prominent historical figures include the theologian and historian Otto of Freising, the missionary Saint Corbinian, and the composer Orlando di Lasso who served as choirboy at the cathedral. The naturalist and priest Johann Baptist von Spix was born here. Modern notable individuals include the former President of Germany, Christian Wulff, who studied at the university, and the actor Michael Herbig. The physicist and brewer Ludwig Narziß significantly influenced brewing science at Weihenstephan. The artist Rupprecht Geiger, known for his abstract works, also has connections to the town's cultural scene.

Category:Towns in Bavaria Category:Freising district