Description of the attraction
Freistadt is an Austrian city located in the federal state of Upper Austria, in the Freistadt district. Linz is located about 38 km southwest of Freistadt, and the Czech town of Budejovice is about 60 km north. Vienna can be reached from Freistadt in 2 hours (180 km). Freistadt is surrounded by forests.
The Free City was founded in 1225 by Leopold VI. The city separated the possession of the Habsburgs from the Czech lands. It stood at the intersection of trade routes for the transport of salt and iron. The city flourished in the 14-16 centuries. However, the Thirty Years War changed the situation, the city lost all its privileges. A brewery was built in 1777. Since 1850, the free city has become the capital of the district. In 1872, a railway appeared in Freistadt.
During the First World War, a prisoner of war camp for Russian soldiers was established in the city, which housed up to 20,000 prisoners. After the outbreak of World War II, a resistance group was formed in Freistadt, but already in October 1944, all participants were sentenced to death. On May 7, 1945, American tanks reached the city, and on July 1, the city was occupied by the Red Army. The economic recovery began only 10 years later, after the withdrawal of Soviet troops from the city. Investments were made in housing and road construction, construction of water supply and sewerage systems, construction of treatment facilities.
Freistadt is considered a masterpiece of architecture: a large rectangular square is the heart of the entire city. The main attractions include the medieval Old Town with city walls and towers, which are almost completely preserved. The late Gothic city gate Linzer Tor is the symbol of the city of Freistadt.
The Free City has 162 monuments, most of which are located in the Old Town. During the Baroque era, the facades of many buildings were renovated. The main square houses the Town Hall with a carved fountain. Here, on the square, is the Baroque Church of St. Catherine with an altar by Carl Carlone. Nearby, in the building of military barracks, built on the site of an ancient castle, the local history museum has placed its collection.
Reviews
| All reviews 0 Bodrunova Julia 2013-01-11 20:03:45
help to find a family !!! Please help me find a family from the city of Freistadt.. Elisabeth.. Hans.. Michaela.. Leithner..
