Freiburg’s Old Town offers sights, narrow alleys, historic buildings, and lively squares—we’d like to take you on a tour of discovery through 900 years of the city’s history, while still experiencing a modern and youthful city. You can simply follow our route—or take a detour here and there, depending on how you feel at the moment.
You’ll start right in the heart of the city at City Hall Square: The old town hall, with its red facade and the tourist Information office, is the place to go for any questions or requests you may have. Next door is the new town hall, which served as a building on the University campus Freiburg until the end of the 19th century. Where Freiburg’s city leaders meet today, the anatomy department and polyclinic were once located. Directly across the square stands St. Martin’s Church, built around 1300, which served as the monastery church of the adjacent Franciscan monastery until 1783.
The fountain monument on the square depicts the monk Berthold Schwarz, who is the subject of a special legend: as an alchemist, he is said to have invented black powder by accident. In front of it, on Town Hall Square, the coats of arms of Freiburg and its sister cities shine as elaborate mosaics. Many such works of art made from colorful Rhine pebbles adorn Freiburg’s Old Town and also decorate the entrances to numerous shops—so it’s worth looking down!
You stroll past St. Martin’s Church on your left through Franziskanerstraße. The Whale House, with its magnificent late-Gothic portal bay window, was built by Emperor Maximilian’s Grand Treasurer. The famous humanist Erasmus of Rotterdam lived here from 1529 to 1531.
You cross Kaiser-Joseph-Straße and reach the regional council Basler Hof on your left. Built between 1494 and 1496, it is one of the city’s most important secular buildings and today houses the Regional Administrative Council. Here on Kaiser-Joseph-Straße—which was still called “Große Gass” in the Middle Ages—the city’s market was once located. Today, the “Kajo,” with its arcades built after the war, is considered Freiburg’s main shopping and strolling street.
Passing the regional council Basler Hof on your right, you’ll soon see the heart of Freiburg: Münsterplatz. Here, from Monday through Saturday, farmers and vendors sell their goods at the Münstermarkt (cathedral market): Take the opportunity to try a “Lange Rote,” have a glass of wine, or enjoy one of the local specialties.
In the center of the square stands the imposing Freiburg Cathedral with its 116-meter-high tower. Built between 1200 and 1513, it has survived numerous wars virtually unscathed and captivates visitors with, among other things, the magnificent gable relief in the narthex, the historic stained-glass windows, and the high altar by Hans Baldung Grien.
On the south side of the cathedral, the historical merchants' hall particularly catches the eye with its red façade. Decorated with Habsburg sculptures and coats of arms, it was built between 1520 and 1532 for the city’s market administration and served as a customs, trade, and finance building. Take the opportunity to stroll across Münsterplatz and discover the historic buildings all around. The diverse array of dining options invites you to linger.
The route continues past the House of Baden Wines (Alte Wache) and the Münsterbauhütte (cathedral workshop) into Herrenstraße, home to the archiepiscopal ordinariate—one of the most outstanding examples of late historicism in Baden. Through the narrow Münzgasse, you’ll reach one of Freiburg’s most beautiful streets, "Konviktstraße". In the Middle Ages, it was a bustling artisans’ street, and today, with its charming building facades and small boutiques, it offers you the perfect opportunity to stroll and shop. Continue strolling until you reach the Schwabentor (Swabian Gate). Built in the mid-13th century, it is the newer of the two surviving city gates, and its façade tells the legend of the Swabian who once tried unsuccessfully to buy the city. Around the Schwabentor, numerous restaurants offer Baden specialties. Germany’s oldest inn, “Inn 'Zum Roten Bären,'” is particularly worth seeing. From the Schwabentor (Swabian Gate), it’s also worth taking a detour into the countryside! Crossing the Schwabentorsteg, you’ll reach Cannon Square on Schlossberg Hill in just a few minutes and can enjoy the magnificent view of Freiburg.
Freiburg’s Upper Old Town, with the Gewerbekanal, Gerberau, Fischerau, and the island, is worth every step along the cobblestone streets! This idyllic neighborhood (Schneckenvorstadt) invites you to visit galleries, explore owner-operated shops, linger in one of the lovely cafés, or admire the crocodile in the canal. Following the Gewerbekanal, you’ll reach the lively Augustinerplatz with the former monastery of the Augustinian Hermits. Built in 1300 and renovated in the Baroque style in the early 18th century, it houses what is arguably Freiburg’s most beautiful museum, the Augustian museum. In the Middle Ages, the Upper Old Town was Freiburg’s craftsmen’s quarter. Today, you can enjoy the city’s almost Mediterranean charm here, cool your feet in the Bächle, and watch the hustle and bustle. Refreshed, you’ll reach the city’s oldest surviving defensive and watchtower, the 13th-century Martinstor (Martin's Gate), which at times served as a prison and was raised and expanded in the early 20th century.
From here, you’ll see Bertold's Fountain in the middle of the shopping street. The statue on the fountain commemorates the city’s founders from the Zähringer dynasty. However, turn left onto Niemensstraße and you’ll find yourself behind the university in the lively student district with its many international snack bars, pubs, and cafés.
Follow Niemensstraße until you reach Bertoldstraße. On the opposite side stands the Universitätskirche (university church). Right next to it is the old University, which houses the university museum, the Uniseum (university museum). There, you’ll gain fascinating insights into the history and student life at the venerable Albert Ludwig University, founded in 1457 by Albrecht VI. Turn left and you’ll soon reach the old synagogue square. The square’s name commemorates the former synagogue, which was destroyed in 1938. The fountain on the square is modeled after it. On this spacious square, you’ll see the architecturally striking University library on your left. Right next to it stands Theater Freiburg, built in 1905 in the Neo-Baroque style.
You slowly make your way back to the starting point, walking along Rotteckring. Before turning right onto Turmstraße, take a moment to look across the street toward Colombi Park, where the Colombischlössle is perched on the hill. Built between 1859 and 1861 for Countess de Zea Bermudez y Colombi in the English Neo-Gothic style, the villa now houses the Archaeological Museum. On the last few meters of the route, you’ll pass the Breisgau Fools’ Guild House (carnival museum) on Turmstraße. Across the way, in the courtyard of the old town hall, you’ll see the city’s oldest council building, the old court house. It was built in 1303 to serve as a council chamber. You’ve now returned to the starting point of your tour, Rathausplatz.
Town Hall Square Freiburg
Town Hall Square Freiburg
