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Old Town Freiburg

Freiburg's old town dates back to centuries of history: after the Dukes of Zähringen had built a castle on the Schlossberg in 1091, they elevated the smaller settlements at the foot of the mountain to the status of a city in 1120 and laid out the structure according to the usual pattern: Two main axes quartered the city and crossed at today's Bertoldsbrunnen. The town hall and the church are not located in the same quarter. The right to hold markets, the convenient location and the rich silver deposits helped the city to grow rapidly even then, so that it quickly gained economic and political importance in the region. With the construction of the magnificent gothic-style cathedral, prosperity and power were demonstrated.
In the course of several wars, the city's affiliation changed several times between the French Crown, the Grand Duchy of Baden under Napoleon's leadership and Austrian rule. As a repeated scene of armed conflicts and sieges, the historic old town was protected by a fortress and eight bastions. With the Schwabentor and the Martinstor, two gates of the medieval city fortifications are still preserved.
Today Freiburg's old town is rich in historical highlights and a true paradise for strolling and strolling.

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Federal state: Baden-Württemberg
Population: 231,195 (as of 2019)
Area:153,1 km²
Height: 278 m

Tour along the highlights of Freiburg

Coming from Freiburg (Breisgau) main station, you first make a short detour to the nearby Wiwili bridge. It connects the eastern part of the city, Stühinger, with the old town. With the Herz-Jesu-Church in the background it is a popular postcard motif. From here you walk straight towards Freiburg's city theater. On the opposite side you will also pass directly the renowned University of Freiburg. On your way north with the crossing of the Rotteckring you finally reach the pedestrian zone of the contemplative old town. Small stores and old half-timbered houses border the narrow alleys and level the way to the gothic St. Martin's Church and the Freiburg City Hall. Theater performances take place here in the inner courtyard in summer.
Heading east, you now head straight for Freiburg's impressive landmark, the Freiburg Cathedral. It was built from 1200-1513 in a romantic-gothic style and served representational purposes in addition to its function as a cathedral, i.e. as a church belonging to a monastery or convent. It is also known as the most beautiful tower in Christendom. Numerous cafés at the foot of the building invite you to linger and marvel, while the top of the tower offers a unique view over Freiburg's old town. The weekly market is also held regularly on the Münsterplatz.
Through numerous winding alleys you can reach the Bertoldsbrunnen - but if you expect a representative fountain here, you will search in vain. Because the "Berti" is more of a location designation - as a city center, it is the number one meeting place, because four of the five streetcar lines converge here. Anyone who manages to find a way through the usual bustle will see a four-meter-high limestone pedestal with an abstract bronze equestrian statue in a narrow water basin. The monument is named after the founder of the city, Duke Bertold, and since 1965 has replaced the fish fountain that was destroyed in World War II.
From here, turn into Salzstraße and follow the splashing of the stream, walk towards the famous Augustinian Museum, whose modern architecture fits stylishly into the medieval picture. The extensive art collection ranges from the Middle Ages to the Baroque and works from the 19th century.
With a stone's throw you reach the Schwabentor and the forecourt Oberlinden. It is one of the two remaining gate towers of the medieval city fortifications that once surrounded Freiburg's old town. Here you will find the most traditional inn in Germany: the Gasthof zum Roten Bären has been in continuous operation since the 12th century. To complete the tour, you can also take a detour to the second medieval city gate, the Martinstor, which is also worth seeing.

Distance

to Karlsruhe: ca. 135 km
to Airport Basel: ca. 75 km


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