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"Fribourg - a hidden treasure" a Fribourg Travel Page by Tolik

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"Fribourg - a hidden treasure" a Fribourg Travel Page by Tolik
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Tolik    
Travels make one wiser


Real Name: Anatoli
Lives In: Tampa, US
Member Since: Aug 07, 2001
VT Rank: 472

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Page Views: 1,208            Last Visit to Fribourg: May, 2003      

Fribourg - a hidden treasure

by Tolik - last update: Jun 10, 2003

Fribourg from the Pont de Milieu
Fribourg’s Old Town is one of Switzerland’s best-kept secrets. It remains a mystery for me - how the town that is considered one of the finest remnants of mediaeval architecture in Europe, remains almost unknown among the travelers.
Fribourg preserved its character as a medieval town thanks to a fantastic collection of more than two hundred Gothic facades of the 15th century. The fortifications of Fribourg are the most representative of medieval military architecture in Switzerland. The visitors will find St-Nicolas cathedral with single 73m buttressed tower, more than two kilometers of ramparts, 14 towers and 11 historical fountains that date from the Middle Ages. Its steep, cobbled streets, lovely fountains and ornate inn signs, are picturesque and character-full. The Sarine River, which carves a path through the town, is the local defining line of the Röstigraben: Fribourg is split roughly 70:30 between French speakers, who call their town Fribourg (pronounced free-boor) and are a majority on the western bank; and Swiss-German speakers, to whom the place is Freiburg (fry-berg). Six bridges, from medieval wooden fords to lofty modern valley spans, provide woodcut-pretty views back across the town of the old houses piled up together on the steep slopes.
Since its foundation, Fribourg has achieved a perfect alliance of tradition and modernity. All it started in 1157, when Bertold IV of Zähringen founded the town as part of his consolidation of regional power, which also saw the establishment of Bern, Burgdorf, Thun and Murten. After 1218, the Zähringens were succeeded by the Counts of Kyburg, who were themselves bought out by the Austrian Habsburgs in 1277. In 1452, Savoy house took over, but in the Burgundian Wars shortly afterwards Fribourg supported the Swiss against Savoy, and became a free city. In 1481, it joined the Swiss Confederation. Jews were allowed to return to Fribourg in 1866 after almost 400 years of banishment from the city.
Ramparts near the Tours des Chais

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Tolik's Fribourg Travel Tips

OverviewThings to Do
Tips: 5 - Photos: 5
 
RestaurantsHotels & Accommodations
 
NightlifeOff The Beaten Path
 
Tourist TrapsWarnings Or Dangers
 
TransportationLocal Customs
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
 
Packing ListsShopping
 
Sports TravelGeneral Tips
Tips: 1 - Photos: 1

Comments for Tolik about Fribourg
dabidc Wed Aug 9, 2006 18:45 UTC
 Tolik, an excellent travel document, full ofwonderful detail of places to visit in Fribourg and with excellent photos. Am looking for somewhere other than mountains for a visit in October. Many thanks.
mustertal Mon Aug 9, 2004 20:34 UTC
 So many thing's I have yet to see.
Rhondaj Mon Jun 14, 2004 11:46 UTC
 Interesting St. Nick story-town looks like it could take you back in time!
LisaMF Thu Oct 2, 2003 00:55 UTC
 Amazing town, fantastic pictures!
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