The central theme of this introduction is the UNESCO World Heritage Site Ore Mountains/Krušnohoří Mining Region. terra mineralia is connected to this theme in several ways: Firstly, the exhibition is located in Freudenstein Castle, a nominated site within the World Heritage List. Secondly, the exhibition is part of the TU Bergakademie Freiberg (Freiberg University of Mining and Technology). As the oldest continuously operating mining school in the world, it, with all its renowned faculty and inventions, is also part of the World Heritage List.

We would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge our founder, Dr. Erika Pohl-Ströher. At a dedicated station, we will showcase what an extraordinary collector she was and the significance of her mineral collection for the university.

Modern communication and networking are virtually impossible without computers, tablets, or smartphones. Their production is a highly advanced process based on innovation, purity, and precision. The necessary raw materials are extracted from minerals. One of the most important is silicon. Other semiconductors, such as germanium or arsenic, are also included. After numerous technical and chemical processing steps, single crystals are grown from them. The semiconductor industry has been firmly established in Freiberg for over 70 years. It all began with research at the Institute for Non-Ferrous Metallurgy and High-Purity Materials at the TUBAF (Technical University of Freiberg). Today, companies like Siltronic AG and Freiberger Compound Materials are a major economic force. They will provide insights into their work during the introduction.

From the introduction, you can reach the America Hall via a staircase.