EGER, a t. and river of Austria, in the province of Bohemia.-1. The town E. stands on a rock on the right bank of the stream of the same name, is 90 m. w. of Prague, and near the Bohemian frontier. Formerly, it was a border fortress of some importance; its walls, however, have been almost entirely pulled down, and its fosses filled up with rubbish. Among the conspicuous edifices of E. are its churches, of which there are four —one of them, the deanery church, very handsome; the market-place, Within which is the large town-hall; two monasteries, a Dominican and a Franciscan; and the barracks. East of the market-place is the house of the burgomaster, in which Wallenstein was .assassinated in 1634. The ruins of the imperial burg or citadel, formerly the residence of kings and emperors, is situated in an angle of the fortifications above the river.
From the midst of these ruins rises a singular square black tower, constructed of masses of volcanic tufa. The double Chapel, consisting of two stories, the upper supported by graceful marble pillars, is a fine specimen of Gothic architecture. An avenue, nearly three m. long, leads from E. to Franzenbrunn (q.v.). E. has manufactures of broad cloth, kerseyrneres, cottons, chintz, leather, soap, etc. Its industry and commerce have greatly increased since it became a point of junction of five railways. Pop. '69, 13,463. —2. The river E. rises 12 m. D.W. of the t. of E., flows first s.e. to E., then advances in a general n.e. direction, passing Elbogen, Saaz, Birdin, and Theresienstadt, near which town it joins the Elbe, after a course of about 120 miles. Its current is rapid, and no part of its course is navigable.