city, Saarland Land (state), southwestern Germany. It lies on the Erbach River, northeast of Saarbrücken. 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-Saarbrücken and Pfalz-Zweibrücken. 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 the remains of the 12th-century Hohenburg fortress and the Karlsberg Castle (1778–85; destroyed 1793) are nearby. Homburg is the seat of the medical faculty of the University of Saarland. The university contributes significantly to the local economy. Homburg is also an important industrial centre specializing in the production of motor-vehicle parts. Other economic activities include brewing and retail and providing administrative services for the surrounding region. Pop. (2003 est.) 44,967.