"Fribourg - a hidden treasure" Top 5 Page for this destination Fribourg by Tolik

Fribourg Travel Guide: 105 reviews and 299 photos

Fribourg from the Pont de Milieu - Fribourg

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.

Ramparts near the Tours des Chais

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.

Last visit to Fribourg: May 2003
Intro Written Jun 10, 2003
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Reviews (7)

Art and History Museum Things to Do (5)

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St. Nicholas Story Local Customs (1)

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In the Chapel of the Holy Sepulchre - Fribourg

Cathédrale St-Nicholas Favorites (1)

Cathédrale St-Nicholas was built between 1283 and 1490. This High Gothic church has a rich architectural decor and... more travel advice

Cityscape from Rue des Alpes, - Fribourg

Fribourg Walking Tour - Part Four Things to Do (5)

From Planche-Supérieure, passing St-John the Baptist church, the triple-arched Pont de St-Jean leads you up into... more travel advice

Comments (6)

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mustertal Aug 9, 2004 at 1:34 PM

So many thing's I have yet to see.
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Rhondaj Jun 14, 2004 at 4:46 AM

Interesting St. Nick story-town looks like it could take you back in time!
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LisaMF Oct 1, 2003 at 5:55 PM

Amazing town, fantastic pictures!
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HappyHoliday Sep 15, 2003 at 6:35 PM

Beautiful town indeed!
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HappyDolphin Sep 12, 2003 at 4:51 PM

The most beautiful Swiss town!
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german_eagle Jul 20, 2003 at 5:40 AM

An awesome page about a magnificent town. I also loved Fribourg!