Key Points about Freiburg
Freiburg is located at the southern tip of the Black Forest, close to both France (3 km away) and Switzerland (42 km away). Although still a small city, its population has steadily grown through the years, now reaching over 200,000 residents. It is well-known for its university, Albert-Ludwigs-Uniwersität, for its magnificent cathedral and its medieval treasures. The city has a thriving cultural scene that includes street musicians and artists, concerts and theater. With a large student population, the city tends to have a somewhat bohemian, tolerant character. 

After World War II, Freiburg was left with hardly one brick on top of another. Artfully reconstructed, the city today features a pedestrian zone in the Altstadt from which you can see beautiful historic buildings. Canals (Bächle) run along the old section, providing water during medieval times. Freiburg is also an advantageous location for exploring the surrounding villages and trails of the southern Black Forest, as well as the vineyards of nearby Breisach.

Freiburg is prepared for visitors. More than 400,000 visitors came to the city in 1998, of which almost 130,000 were from outside Germany. Like many tourist destinations in Germany, Freiburg has numerous choices for accommodations, dining and fun. It also has a well-developed public transportation network. Keep reading for more information, and be sure to contact the tourist office for details. 

Freiburg: A Short History
The earliest document mentioning Freiburg comes from 1091. Located on an important trade route, Freiburg's market was a key commercial destination in the Middle Ages. Around 1200, work began on the famous Münster Unserer Lieben Frau (Cathedral of Our Beloved Lady) and continued until the early 1500s. The Middle Ages also saw the opening of the university (1460). The Habsburgs began their 400-year rule over Freiburg, a free imperial city, in 1368. Wars, plague, religious struggles and political upheavals marked Freiburg's history through the centuries. In the 1900s, women began to study at the university, the City Theater opened, and German planes mistakenly dropped bombs on the city during World War II.  Today, visitors come from all around the world to see the restored city and to enjoy the nearby mountains, forests and resorts. 

Winter Cabin in the Black Forest (c) Michael T. Schumacher

Main Sights

Cathedral. The Münster Unserer Lieben Frau (Cathedral of Our Beloved Lady) comes with a 127-meter tower, called "the most beautiful tower in Christendom." Climb its 329 steps for a panoramic view of the city. A mixture of late-Romanesque and Gothic architecture, building began around 1200 and ended in the early 16th century. Large stained-glass windows decorate the walls. Expect lots of tourists when you visit. 

 

Black Forest Farms (c) Michael T. Schumacher

Münsterplatz. The square where the Cathedral stands is also home to an outdoor market (Münstermarkt) where you can buy fruits, vegetables, flowers, cheese and crafts daily except Sundays and holidays.

Kaufhaus. The historical merchant house stands on the south side of Münsterplatz. 

Rathauses. Freiburg has old and new city halls. 

See photos and descriptions of these and other historical buildings in Freiburg.

There are also a number of art and natural history museums, city gardens and parks, and a planetarium. You can also take a cable car ride up Schauinsland mountain. Catch it from the Station der Schlossbergseilbahn in the Stadtgarten. There is a restaurant at the top.  

Major Events 

Frühjahrsmesse. Ten-day fair in May.

Zeltmusikfestival. This two-week Tent Music Festival starts in mid-June and features classical, jazz and rock music.

Weintagen. The Wine Days festival lasts for four days at the end of June.

Weinkost. The Wine Tasting festival features wines produced in Freiburg. It lasts for nine days and starts in mid-August.

Herbstmesse. This Autumn festival lasts for ten days in October.  

Regional Specialties 
The cuisine of the Black Forest is flavored with the tastes of nearby Alsace. White asparagus served with a creamy sauce is a delicate treat in spring. River trout and Käsespätzle (cheese-covered noodles) are also frequent menu items. Of course, Schwarzwälder (Black Forest) ham, cake and cherry brandy are popular regional specialties.

Staying Overnight
Travelers to Freiburg have many choices for accommodations, including hotels, guest houses, and private rooms. There are five nearby campsites, some open year round. Camping Hirzberg is closest to the Altstadt. Freiburg also has a youth hostel located near a forest. The Freiburg Tourist Information site has more information about accommodations but it is only in German. You can always send an email to the office for information in English, or you can visit the English-language Freiburg-Online site.

Getting There and Getting Around
To get to Freiburg by car, take the A5 highway from Karlsruhe or Basel, or the B3 or B31 (east-west). By air, you can fly to the EuroAirport 70 km away, or the nearby Stuttgart, Strasbourg or Zurich airports. 

By rail, take the high-speed intercity ICE trains. EC and IC trains also stop in Freiburg, as well as other trains. The Höllentalbahn train leaves for the Black Forest every 30 minutes. The main train station is about a 10-minute walk from the old city center.

Freiburg has 158 km of bicycle paths. You can rent bicycles from Geco Bikes, located at Turnseestrasse 51.

Tourist Information
For sightseeing, dining, and accommodations information, visit the Web site of the Freiburg Online. 

Click here for information about Freiburg's extensive public transportation network.

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