Friedberg (Hesse)

Friedberg is a charming medieval town dating to the 12th or 13th century in North Hesse. Its main claim to international fame is the fact that Elvis Presley was stationed here during his military service (1958-1960).

Understand
The town was founded under Staufer king Friedrich I (aka "Barbarossa" - red beard) as a planned city and had its heyday in the medieval era. For a long time the castle was in different hands (and subject to different laws) than the city, a situation not uncommon in medieval central Europe - Nuremberg had a similar arrangement until the local patricians bought out the owners of the castle.

While he lived in nearby Bad Nauheim during that time, Friedberg was the site of Elvis Presley's garrison during his military service. The town is doing all it can to benefit from "Elvis pilgrimages" and has renamed a central square after him and even installed a pedestrian traffic light with a dancing Elvis (green light) and a standing Elvis (red light).

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