Freistadt oldtown, Medieval town center in Freistadt, Austria.

Freistadt's old town is a medieval town centre whose defences date from the 14th and 15th centuries: a moat with an outer wall, a second wall, a zwinger with wall towers, and an inner ring wall, about two kilometres in all. Six of the eight corner towers remain, along with the 28-metre Linz Gate and the 12-metre Bohemian Gate. Around 150 burgher houses, largely unchanged since the fire of 1516, line the streets around the main square.

Freistadt was founded in 1241 and developed along an important trade route connecting the Danube with Bohemia. This location enabled the exchange of iron and salt and made the town a strategic point between two regions.

The old town's name, Freistadt, means "free town", referring to its medieval trade privileges. The Zwinger, the space between the two town walls, now serves several inns as a beer garden, while the moat on the east side holds walking paths and playgrounds. Between the Böhmertor and the Finstere Promenade, the moat functions as a kind of botanical garden of native plants suited to the rough Mühlviertel climate.

The old town lies in the center of Freistadt and is easily reached on foot, since the streets are narrow and limited for vehicles. It works best to come with comfortable shoes and plan time to explore the different corners and nooks.

Six of the eight corner towers of the medieval walls still stand; the other two burned down. The tower by the Salzhof was made more visible again during the 2003 restoration. A ninth tower, at the former town hall, showed power rather than serving defence.