Kaiser-Joseph-Straße

Kaiser-Joseph-Straße is the main shopping street in Freiburg and runs approximately 900 meters from north to south through the city center with retail stores and arcaded walkways. The street connects different city districts and features a wide range of shops lined up in the ground floors of buildings.

The street was originally called Grosse Gass and received its current name after Emperor Joseph II visited in 1777. This name change marked a turning point in how the place was perceived and developed.

The street is defined by the Bächle, shallow water channels that run along the sides and are a distinctive feature of daily life here. Visitors quickly notice how these small waterways shape the character of the place and create a unique sense of space.

The street is closed to through traffic and can only be used by trams and delivery vehicles, making it pleasant for walking. Several bus stops and the train station provide good connections to different parts of the city.

Among the buildings on this street stands the Basler Hof, a 15th-century structure that now serves as the official residence of the district president. This historical building is easy to overlook while walking past modern shops, yet it holds significant historical and administrative importance.