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Freiburg im Breisgau Attractions
The Bächel of Freiburg
Freiburg’s Altstadt has many lovely old fountains and a unique system of streams called Bächle (little brooks) that date back to the 12th century. First devised to keep the city clean and to help fight fires, the brooks channel water from the Dreisam River through the old university town and help to keep it cool in the hot summer months. You can see the Bächle running alongside many Altstadt streets. According to local folklore, if you step in a Bächle, you will marry a person from Freiburg.
A Monster Münster in Their Midst
The minster is almost as rich a repository of secular concerns as it is a sacred precinct, a phenomenon you’ll notice even before you step through the massive portals—one of the gargoyles peering down from the tower’s roof has its backside turned toward the archbishop’s house across the square, supposedly a sign of the architect’s contempt for the city fathers. Markings on the façade were used as gauges to keep medieval vendors honest and make sure they were selling bread that met the criterior for length and height. Commerce also makes an appearance in the 13th- and 14th-century stained glass, where the guilds who funded them ensured pretzels, tools, and other signs of their crafts were incorporated into the designs. Likewise, scenes in the panels of Hans Holbein’s magnificent altarpiece include the donor’s sons, daughters, deceased wife, grandchildren, and decreased wife, giving all a little push toward eternal salvation.
6 Results
- Museum
Augustiner Museum
Some outstanding pieces of art from the Middle Ages are arranged throughout a 13th-century Augustine church and monastery that’s been beautifully restored to show off the pieces to their best effect. Weathered red sandstone sculptures of 10 Old Testament prophets that once adorned… - Religious Site
Freiburg Cathedral
This cathedral is one of the great masterpieces of Gothic art in Germany. Its unique spire is of filigree stonework; the steeple sits on an octagonal belfry, which holds a historic 4,500-kilogram (5-ton) bell dating from 1258. Although begun in 1200 in the Romanesque style, by the… - Religious Site
Freiburg Münster (Minster)
You get a sense of the magnificence of this cathedral long before you reach the doors and catch glimpses of the spire, a masterpiece of filigree stonework that has risen above the roofs of Freiburg for almost 8 centuries. Jacob Burckhardt, the 19th-century Swiss historian of art and… - Museum
Museum für Neue Kunst
It’s well worth spending half an hour or so in this small modern art collection that delivers some surprises with a few 20th-century masterpieces. Among the best are works by Otto Dix, who once lived on nearby on Constance and is best known for his depictions of the brutality of war,… - Cooking Class
Schlossberg
From the Schwabentor, a pathway climbs up this hill that provides good views of the cathedral. You can also ascend the Schlossberg from the Stadtgarten (City Gardens) by cable car ([tel] 0761/39855; round-trip fare 3€, operates June–Sept 10am–7pm, Oct–Jan 11:30am–6pm). - Landmark
Schwabentor (Swabian Gate)
One of two surviving gates from the Middle Ages, when Freiburg was a walled city, the Schwabentor dates from around 1200. Paintings on the tower include one of St. George, the city’s patron saint. The neighborhood around the Schwabentor is called the Insel (Island) because rushing…
Freiburg im Breisgau Nightlife
An impressive entertainment complex, the Konzerthaus, hosts a variety of events, ranging from classical music to theater to pop concerts. In June and July, huge tents are raised to house the annual Zeltmusik festival, which emphasizes jazz but includes other musical styles as well. Visit www.zmf.de for details. Summer also brings a series of chamber-music concerts to the Kaufhaus, in Münsterplatz, and a program of organ recitals to the Freiburg Cathedral. Information about all venues and events listed above, including program schedules and ticket sales, is available from Freiburg Tourist Board.
The city also has a thriving bar and club scene that goes on into the wee hours. Jazzhaus, Schnewlinstrasse 1 (tel. 0761/2923446; www.jazzhaus.de; tram: 1, 3, or 5), hosts pop, folk, blues, and jazz shows by international, regional, and local bands. The club is open Wednesday to Sunday 7pm until 1am, with a cover of 10€ to 29€. Until 8pm, the Café Atlantik, Schwabentorring 7 (tel. 0761/33033; www.cafe-atlantik.de; tram: 1), serves spaghetti platters for 3.50€ to 5€, but later on it's mainly a bar, occasionally with a band. It's open Saturday to Thursday 11am to 2am, Friday 11am till 3am.
Hausbräuerei Feierling, Gerberau 46 (tel. 0761/243480; www.feierling.de; tram: 1), is a brewpub, with a beer garden across the street. It's open daily 11am to midnight. Those who want a dark, smoky bar should head to the local Irish pub, the Isle of Innisfree, Augustinerplatz 2 (tel. 0761/22984; www.isleofinnisfree.de; tram: 1, 2, 3, or 5), which sometimes has live music. Cafe Brasil, Wannerstrasse 21 (tel. 0761/289888; www.brasil-freiburg.de; tram: 1, 3, or 5), has a tropical feel. It's open daily 10am to 1am.
