Shopping cart Wishlist loader
+ 49 (0) 761 3881-880 German landline
no extra fees

Search accommodations

Book in just 3 minutes

Questions?

We are here to answer your questions at no extra charge!

+ 49 (0) 761 154331-60

German landline - no extra fees

booking.freiburg@lohospo.de

Groups welcome!

Our Group service is happy to send you a personalized quote.

Request form
Inspected accommodations chosen by the official partner of the city of Freiburg
No reservation fees
Book online and pay upon arrival
Guaranteed secure bookings via SSL encryption

Historisches Kaufhaus (Historical merchants‘ hall)

The dark-red, elaborately ornate building is hard to miss when passing through Freiburg’s Münsterplatz.

Waiting in line in the Middle Ages – for merchants that meant waiting with one’s wagon at the city gate after a difficult journey. The city gates were where merchandise was inspected and a customs duty applied. This could take some time, especially with the significant increase in trade in Freiburg in the 14th century. The city gates were literally bursting at the seams, making it absolutely essential to create a designated place for storing goods and issuing customs clearances. The first official mention of such a city market administration building dates back to 1378.

In the early 16th century, sometime between 1520 and 1532, the Cathedral master builder Lienhart Müller extended the original structure with the construction of the Historical Merchants' Hall. The building stands slightly in front of the line of neighboring structures, showcasing its sumptuously decorated turrets and arcades.

Behind the wide entrance lies a large 300-square-meter inner courtyard. Once a merchandise storage area, the space is now used for outdoor events, such as the “Freiburg Weinkost” wine tasting.

A spiral staircase from the courtyard leads up to the Kaminsaal. The addition of a fireplace in the 15th century by the cathedral master builder at the time gave the room its name of 'Kaminsaal' (fireplace room).

While the ostentatious Kaisersaal (Emperors’ Hall) impresses visitors with its massive oak columns, the virtuoso 18th-century ceiling ornaments in the Rokokosaal (Rococo Room) create a beautifully majestic focal point above.

Tip: The impressive rooms of the Historical Merchants' Hall can be visited only during regularly scheduled events. Plan to attend a reading or a concert by the SWR Symphony Orchestra.

Short note: Martin’s Gate can only be viewed from the outside!

A visit of the inside of the building is only possible during events.

Map

Map

Please enter your starting address here

Please enter the point you wish to depart from. You can also include a street address in order to get a more precise result.