“Neck bridge.” That’s Halsbrücke’s literal translation. It might sound a bit odd at first. But as we explore this place, the name will begin to make sense.
Halsbrücke is a municipality north of Freiberg. It sits on the banks of the Freiberger Mulde river. Its story is deeply entwined with mining and metallurgy.
Imagine Halsbrücke in 1349. It began as an estate named “czu dem Halse”. It belonged to Altzella Monastery. “Hals” referred to a “neck”-like ridge. This ridge sat on a bend in the river. By 1441, the name evolved. It became “czu der brucken am Hals”. This means “at the bridge on the neck”. Later variations included “an der Halßbrücken” in 1654. Finally, in 1706, it settled as Halsbrücke.
For centuries, Halsbrücke was divided. The Freiberger Mulde river split it administratively. Hals and Neu were on the left bank. They belonged to Freiberg. Sand and Grüneberg were on the right. They fell under Meissen’s jurisdiction.
Interestingly, Halsbrücke lacked its own church for a long time. Residents attended services in Tuttendorf. Then, between 1985 and 1991, St. Lorenz am Schulberg was built. It opened in 1992. From 1890 to 1995, a rail line served Halsbrücke. The Freiberg-Halsbrücke line connected the town. The station still stands today. It is unused.
Halsbrücke’s mining history is significant. In 1612, the St. Lorenz and Rheinischer Wein mines established a smelting works. This became the Halsbrücker Smelting Works in 1663. The south wing of the electoral amalgamation plant remains. It was rebuilt after a fire between 1792 and 1794.
In 1815, Wilhelm August Lampadius established Europe’s first illuminated gas station here. By 1862, the Halsbrücker Smelting Works housed a gold refining plant. It processed raw concentrates. In 1888, the Plattner extraction process with chlorine was introduced. Electrolytic gold extraction began in 1903.
One cannot miss Halsbrücke’s landmark. It is the “Hohe Esse”. Built in 1888/98, this chimney was once the world’s tallest. It reached 140 meters. A 500-meter-long flue carried smoke from the smelting works.
The Rothschönberger Stolln is a vital part of Halsbrücke’s mining history. Constructed from 1844 to 1877, it stretches over 50 km. It served as Freiberg’s primary mine drainage system.
The Rote Graben, built around 1613, is another point of interest. This artificial ditch supplied water to the smelting works. It also powered the ore washing facility and water wheels.
In 1788, Johann Friedrich Mende built a boat lift. It was used to raise ore barges. It is considered the world’s oldest ship lift.
Halsbrücke’s story is one of industry and innovation. From its origins as a monastic estate. To its role in mining and metallurgy. Halsbrücke has always been a place of activity. Today, Halsbrücke continues to evolve. It honors its past while embracing the future.