BRESLAU, breslow, Germany, city rank ing third after Berlin and Cologne in popula tion; capital of the province of Silesia. It is situated in a spacious plain at the confluence of the Ohlau and the Oder, the latter dividing it into two main portions (the largest on the left bank), which, with islands in the river, are connected by a large number of bridges. The streets of the older quarters are narrow, those of the newer broad connected by electric and other street railroads. The public squares and buildings are handsome. The fortifications which surrounded the old or inner city were converted into pleasant promenades and the ditch into an ornamental sheet of water. The cathedral, built in 1148-1680 and restored in 1875; the Protestant churches of Saint Eliza beth (13th century), Saint Mary Magdalene (14th century), Saint Michael (19th century); the synagogue; the Rathhaus or city hall, a Gothic structure of the 14th and 15th centuries; the municipal buildings; the government build ings; the building for the provincial Diet; the royal residence, courthouses, exchange and university are among the most remarkable buildings. The university was founded in 1702 as a Roman Catholic institution, with which was combined the Protestant university at Frankfort-on-the-Oder, transferred hither in 1811. The university has attached to it a mu seum of natural history, a cabinet of antiqui ties, a library of several hundred thousand volumes, including many old works and manu scripts, an observatory, a picture gallery, a botanic garden, etc. The number of students
is about 1,500. There are numerous other edu cational institutions, as well as hospitals and asylums. Gas, electric lighting and power plants, and modern waterworks are operated by the municipality, which also built an up-to-date sys tem of sewers with sewage farms. Breslau carries on an extensive trade in the products and manufactures of Silesia, principally in corn, wool, metals, glass, coal and timber. The Oder is navigable and there is a connection with Berlin by the Oder-Spree Canal. The indus tries comprise iron-founding, bell-founding, the manufacture of machinery, railway car riages, organs and other musical instruments, cigars, oil, spirits, etc., brewing and glass-paint ing. There are two annual wool fairs which are largely attended. Breslau was the seat of a bishopric by the year 1000, an independent duchy from 1163 to 1335, was ceded to Austria, after many wars and calamities, in 1527. It was conquered by Frederick II of Prussia in 1741. It was from this time the scene of fre quent warfare, being successively attacked by Austrians, French, Russians and Prussians. It was twice occupied by the French, in 1807 and 1813. Its fortifications were destroyed by Na poleon in 1807, but it finally remained in the hands of Prussia. Pop. 514,000.