Fribourg, University city in Üechtland, Switzerland
Description
The city extends on both sides of the Saane River, with medieval buildings constructed from regional Molasse sandstone at 587 meters above sea level.
History
Founded in 1157 by the Zähringen dynasty, the settlement changed hands after the family line ended and became an important religious and political center in the following centuries. The medieval core grew around the river bend, preserving much of its original layout through successive eras.
Culture
The Cathedral of Saint Nicholas, built between 1283 and 1490, features exceptional stained glass windows created by Polish artist Józef Mehoffer in 1936.
Practical
The funicular between the lower and upper parts runs regularly and makes access to the higher neighborhoods much easier for visitors. Many streets in the historic center are steep and paved with cobblestones, so comfortable footwear is recommended when exploring the old town.
Did you know?
The funicular still operates using a historic water ballast system, where water fills the descending cabin to pull the ascending one up the slope. This principle makes it one of the oldest working installations of its kind in Europe.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Sarine District).
Loreto Chapel
637 m
Stained glass windows by Mehoffer in Fribourg, Switzerland
148 m
Fribourg Cathedral
149 m
Chocolat Villars factory building with transformer station and steam engine
1.4 km
Poya Bridge
870 m
Collège Saint-Michel
306 m
LivrÉchange
1 km
Pont de Berne
606 m
Lac de Pérolles
1.1 km
Pont de Zaehringen
396 m
Pont de Zaehringen
384 m
Musée Gutenberg, Fribourg
197 m
Équilibre
624 m
Fri-Son
1.4 km
Cistercian Abbey Magerau
695 m
Natural History Museum of Fribourg
1.4 km
École de multimédia et d'art de Fribourg
1.3 km
Espace Jean-Tinguely–Niki-de-Saint-Phalle
183 m
Basilique Notre-Dame
152 m
Poya Castle
937 m
La Motta lido
362 m
Gottéron Bridge
818 m
Bible and Orient Museum
653 m
Fribourg Cantonal and University Library
432 m
Pont de Pérolles
2 km
Museum of Art and History
282 mChemins de fer du Kaeserberg
2.1 km
Eglise Saint Michel Fribourg
286 mDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes