Whispers of hidden treasures linger around the Goldbach in Freiberg. This small stream may seem insignificant. However its story is intertwined with Freiberg’s rich mining history.
The Goldbach begins its journey in the Freiberg city forest. It starts near the Großer Teich and Mittelteich ponds. Imagine the scene as the water trickles down from an altitude of about 460 meters.
Initially the Goldbach flows northwest for about 300 meters. It then turns almost 90 degrees northeast. The stream runs parallel to the Ölmühlenweg. Soon it reaches Freiberg’s built-up area.
Near the Schützenhaus on Chemnitzer Straße the Goldbach disappears underground. It enters a 400-meter-long pipe section. This tunnel ends at the Mühlteich pond. The water flows through the Mühlteich. After another 200 meters it reaches the Hammerteich. This pond once powered the Freibergsdorfer Hammerwerk.
About 800 meters further the Goldbach is piped again. Near a kindergarten the Goldbach merges with the Saubach. The Saubach is an artificial water supply. It comes from the Brander area through a 3500-meter-long tunnel.
The Saubach emerges from the Saustolln at Brander Straße. It flows through a collecting basin before joining the Goldbach. The combined stream flows through the Kreuzteiche and Schlüsselteich ponds. Now heading north it continues underground for about 5 kilometers. Finally the Goldbach flows into the Münzbach stream in Freiberg’s Loßnitz district.
Locally the Goldbach is often called “die Goldbach”. It is also known as Saubach. This 5-kilometer-long stream is a left tributary of the Münzbach. The Goldbach’s course lies entirely within Freiberg. Its waters have played a vital role in the area. It provided essential water for mining operations.
Freiberg was founded around 1168. This followed a silver discovery. Mining has shaped the town for centuries. The Goldbach served the mines in this area.
Today Freiberg is also known for the Freiberg University of Mining and Technology. It was established in 1765. It is the world’s oldest university of mining and metallurgy. The Goldbach is a reminder of the past.