Freiburg im Breisgau

Freiburg im Breisgau

DE
Population220,286
Freiburg im Breisgau or simply Freiburg is the fourth-largest city of the German state of Baden-Württemberg after Stuttgart, Mannheim and Karlsruhe. Its built-up area has a population of about 355,000 (2021), while the greater Freiburg metropolitan area ("Einzugsgebiet") has about 660,000 (2018). Freiburg is located at the southwestern foothills of the Black Forest, on the Dreisam River, a tributary of the Elz. It is Germany's southwestern- and southernmost city with a population exceeding 100,000. It lies in the Breisgau, one of Germany's warmest regions, in the south of the Upper Rhine Plain. Its city limits reach from the Schauinsland summit (1,284 metres (4,213 ft)) in the Black Forest to 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) east of the French border, while Switzerland is 42 kilometres (26 mi) to the south. The city is situated in the major wine-growing region of Baden and, together with Offenburg, serves as a tourist entry-point to the scenic Black Forest. According to meteorological statistics, Freiburg held the all-time German temperature record of 40.2 °C (104.4 °F) from 2003 to 2015. An old university town and archiepiscopal seat, it was incorporated in the early 12th century and soon became a commercial, intellectual and ecclesiastical center for the Upper Rhine region. The University of Freiburg (Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg), founded in 1457, is one of Germany's oldest universities. Freiburg's main landmark is the Freiburg Minster (Freiburger Münster), which was built between c. 1200 and 1513 and has been described as "Gothic architectural masterpiece". The old town is traversed by an extensive system of runnels called Bächle (lit. small streams), that are fed with water from the Dreisam and run on the side of almost all streets and alleys, giving the city a unique touch. Freiburg has a high standard of living, and is known for its advanced environmental practices, which is embodied by local housing projects such as the creation of the sustainable district of Vauban. The dialect spoken in Freiburg is classified as (Upper Rhenish) Low Alemannic, and therefore most closely related to the other dialects of Baden north of Markgräflerland and south of Karlsruhe, to most dialects historically spoken in Alsace (Alsatian), and to Basel German.

Places to Explore

Curated experiences in Freiburg im Breisgau

Bertoldsbrunnen

Bertoldsbrunnen

The Bertoldsbrunnen (German pronunciation: [bɛʁtɔltsˈbʁʊnən], "Bertold's Fountain") is a monument in the historic city of Freiburg im Breisgau. It is …

Dreisamstadion

Dreisamstadion

Dreisamstadion is a football stadium in Freiburg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It was formerly the home of Bundesliga team SC Freiburg between …

Augustinermuseum

Augustinermuseum

The Augustiner Museum is a museum in Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany located in the former Augustinian Monastery building. It is …

Roßkopfturm

Roßkopfturm

The Roßkopf tower (actually Friedrichsturm or Frederick's tower after Frederick I, Grand Duke of Baden) is a 34.4 m (113 …

Martinstor

Martinstor

The Martinstor (English Martin's Gate), a former town fortification on Kaiser-Joseph-Straße, is the older of the two gates of Freiburg …

Europa-Park Stadion

Europa-Park Stadion

The Europa-Park Stadion, which opened in 2021 and is also known as the Mooswald-Stadion (German pronunciation: [ˈmoːswaltˌʃtaːdi̯ɔn] ), is a …

Historisches Kaufhaus

Historisches Kaufhaus

The Historical Merchants' Hall (German: Historisches Kaufhaus) is one of the most outstanding buildings in Freiburg im Breisgau. It is …

Seeparkturm

Seeparkturm

Fischbrunnen

Fischbrunnen

Severinskapelle

Severinskapelle

Hildaturm

Hildaturm

Archäologisches Museum Colombischlössle

Archäologisches Museum Colombischlössle

The Colombischlössle Archeological Museum is a museum in Freiburg im Breisgau in southwest Germany which features the prehistoric inheritance of …

Zähringer Burg

Zähringer Burg

The ruins of Zähringen castle is what remains of the ancestral seat of the Zähringer Alemannic noble family, located near …

Schwabentor

Schwabentor

The Schwabentor (English Swabian Gate), also called Obertor in the Middle Ages, is the more recent of the two remaining …

Münster Unserer Lieben Frau

Münster Unserer Lieben Frau

Freiburg Minster (German: Freiburger Münster or Münster Unserer Lieben Frau) is the cathedral of Freiburg im Breisgau, southwest Germany. The …

Jüdischer Friedhof

Jüdischer Friedhof

Berthold-Schwarz-Brunnen

Berthold-Schwarz-Brunnen

St. Columba Kirche

St. Columba Kirche

Kirche Sankt Gallus und Othmar

Kirche Sankt Gallus und Othmar

Burgruine Schneeburg

Burgruine Schneeburg

Schneeburg is a castle ruin between Ebringen and Freiburg, Germany. The ruins are at an altitude of 516 metres (1693 …

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