Freudenstein CastleTreasures of the Earth
Although you will not find the famous philosopher’s stone here, you will find everything which will make the heart of geologists and mineral collectors beat faster. Freudenstein is an appropriate name for this town because it houses a treasure of worldwide reputation which not only enchants the scientifically-minded public.
The exhibition “Terra Mineralia” of the Freiberg Mining Academy is the world’s largest private mineralogical collection. About 5,000 of the total of 80,000 exhibits from the collection of the Wella heiress Dr. Erika Pohl-Stroeher who was born in Saxony can be seen in this permanent loan exhibition which bears spectacular and impressively beautiful witness to the history of the Earth on five continents.
The splendor of the exponents has been increased as the “Terra Mineralia” is being shown in a part of the castle which has been specifically refurbished for this purpose. This is where the functional architecture of the third millennium merges with architectural structures which have developed over 700 years providing a fitting stage for the crystals whose age is measured in eons. The neighboring rooms house the Freiberg Mining Academy’s collection of artefacts and mining documents from six centuries, thus rounding off the tour of these underground treasure chambers.
The focus on the treasures of the Earth’s crust in Freiberg is not without good reason because the castle complex once protected the new silver mines from thieves and pillagers. Freudenstein thus protected the natural wealth which was to turn Saxony into a booming country for centuries.
Address
Schloss Freudenstein
Schlossplatz 6 | D-09599 Freiberg
Phone +49 3731 4195190
www.schloss-freudenstein.net
Co-operating partner of State castles, palaces and gardens of Saxony.
