Freising (List of European cities with alternative names) is a city in Bavaria, Germany, capital of the district Freising. Geographical location . 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 Some important historical documents have been created from 900 to 1200 in its monastery.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.

External links

• http://www.freising.de
• http://www.weihenstephan.org/~dioemuse/
• Bavarian state library