Where It's Located
The Freiberg Germany Temple is located at Hainichener Strasse 64 in Freiberg, Saxony, Germany. The temple sits on a 3.58-acre site in the northwestern part of the city. The temple complex includes patron housing, a distribution center, a meetinghouse, missionary housing, and a temple president's residence. Its beautifully landscaped grounds are open to the public and are a well-known landmark in the community.
Getting There
The nearest major airport is Dresden Airport (DRS), about 35 miles (56 km) from Freiberg. Travelers from the United States typically connect through major European hubs such as Frankfurt, Munich, Amsterdam, or London before continuing to Dresden. Another option is Leipzig/Halle Airport (LEJ), approximately 65 miles (105 km) away. From either airport, Freiberg is accessible by car or Germany's extensive rail network.
A Bit of History
The Freiberg Germany Temple was announced on October 9, 1982, becoming the third temple in Europe, the first temple built in what is now Germany, and notably the first temple ever constructed in a communist nation. The temple was originally named the Freiberg DDR Temple, reflecting its location in East Germany before German reunification.
Groundbreaking took place on April 23, 1983, with Thomas S. Monson presiding. Following a public open house attended by nearly 90,000 visitors, President Gordon B. Hinckley dedicated the temple on June 29–30, 1985, making it the 33rd operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Five years later, Germany was reunified, giving the temple an even more significant place in Church history.
The temple underwent a major renovation and expansion from 2001–2002, nearly doubling its size. During that project, an angel Moroni statue was added to the spire for the first time. A second extensive renovation took place from 2015–2016, after which President Dieter F. Uchtdorf rededicated the temple on September 4, 2016.
Design and Architecture
Following its expansions, the Freiberg Germany Temple now contains approximately 21,500 square feet of floor space. The exterior features white German stucco over thick masonry walls with a distinctive blue-gray slate roof. The temple has a single attached end spire topped with an angel Moroni statue and sits at an elevation of approximately 1,400 feet above sea level.
Inside, the temple includes two instruction rooms, two sealing rooms, and one baptistry. During the 2002 renovation, additional ordinance space, a new baptistry supported by twelve oxen, expanded waiting areas, and improved facilities were added. The 2016 renovation further enlarged the celestial room, added a second ordinance room, and carefully preserved the temple's original architectural character while modernizing its interior.
Final Thoughts
The Freiberg Germany Temple holds a unique place in the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As the first temple built in a communist country, it stands as a powerful symbol of faith and religious freedom. Today it continues to serve members throughout eastern Germany, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia while remaining one of the most historically significant temples in Europe.
Scott & Riah
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