Day or night, rain or shine, the Bertoldsbrunnen stands at the intersection of Kaiser-Joseph-Strasse and Salzstrasse, helping Freiburgers and visitors find their way amid the tangle of streets and tram lines. “Berti,” as he is affectionately called, has stood here since 1965, when he replaced the Fischbrunnen, or Fish Fountain, that was destroyed in World War II.
Thoroughly modern, depicting the 12th-century founder of Freiburg, Duke Bertold III, the statue represents both Freiburg’s history and its modernity. Visit to get a sense of the rhythm of the neighborood or simply to begin a trip around the city.
Meet Berti in the early morning, when the city is first waking up. The golden light just beginning to filter on his bronze peaks is reminiscent of the Gothic arches that mark churches all around the Schwarzwald. Throw a penny for good luck into the shallow pool around his limestone pedestal or simply watch how the water shimmers as trolleys come trundling past.
Have coffee and an indulgent slice of Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte (Black Forest cake) in one of the nearby cafés as you watch the square fill with people laughing and embracing as they start their days.
Return to Berti many times a day between visits to the rest of the city, from the Schlossberg in the east to Seepark’s lake in the west. As you take your last tram out of Freiburg to the train station, watch the statue grow small in the rear window.
Find the Bertoldsbrunnen in the middle of Freiburg’s Old Town, at the junction of all of the major tramlines in the city. Take the tram here in 7 minutes from the main train station or walk in 10 minutes. Walk from Freiburg Cathedral in 4 minutes.
The Bertoldsbrunnen is in the busiest part of town and is well served by public transportation. Students, tourists and locals all use the statue as a reference point, so be sure to be specific if you’re ever meeting someone here.
