HOMBURG

city, Saarland, southwestern Germany, on the Erbach River, northeast of Saarbrcken. Chartered in 1330 and 1558, it belonged to the counts of Homburg, most of whose territory was divided in 1499 between the houses of Nassau-Saarbrcken and Pfalz-Zweibrcken. It became part of the Bavarian Palatinate in 1815 and was included in the Saar in 1920. The market square is surrounded by fine 17th-century houses, and nearby are remains of the 12th-century Hohenburg fortress and the Karlsberg Castle (177885; destroyed 1793). Homburg is the seat of the medical faculty of the University of Saarland. It is an important industrial centre specializing in iron goods. Other industries include woodworking, brewing, construction, and the manufacture of textiles. Pop. (1989 est.) 41,888.