Page "Freiburg im Breisgau" Paragraph 1

Freiburg was founded by Konrad and Duke Bertold III of Zähringen in 1120 as a free market town ; hence its name, which translates to " free ( or independent ) town ".

Frei means " free ", and Burg, like the modern English word " borough ", was used in those days for an incorporated city or town, usually one with some degree of autonomy.

The German word Burg also means " a fortified town ", as in Hamburg.

Thus, it is likely that the name of this place means a " fortified town of free citizens ".