Roam this medieval Swiss city’s charming streets, browse its quirky museums and cross its wonderful bridges in search of French and German-influenced monuments.
Fribourg looks like something out of a fairy tale, especially after snowfall. This hilly university city is nestled in a steep gorge carved by the winding Sarine (Saane) River, which forms the cultural and linguistic border between the German and French parts of Switzerland.
Although Fribourg translates to Free Fort in German, French is spoken on the western bank where you’ll find the city center. Enjoy the best of both worlds by regularly crossing the river. The eye-catching Pont de Berne (Bern Bridge) is a covered wooden bridge from medieval times and the stonework Pont du Milieu and tall Viaduc de Grandfey train bridge are also very picturesque.
In the elevated Old Town, admire Fribourg’s Gothic-style buildings, including many from the 15th century. Built in 1283, the Cathedral of St. Nicholas is even older. One of the cathedral’s more recent additions was its 242-foot (74-meter) tall clock tower from 1490. Climb the 368 steps for superb views over the city and gorge.
Connecting the Bourg quarter of the Old Town on the hill withthe Basse-Ville (lower town) is the Fribourg Funicular, built in 1899 to transport brewery workers. Jump aboard and learn how waste water is added to assist with gravity, pulling the opposite wooden carriage up and down the hill.
Discover more about the fascinating history and mixed culture of Fribourg in the city’s many museums. Pick the Musée d'Histoire Naturelle Fribourg for natural history, the Espace Jean Tinguely - Niki de Saint Phalle for modern art, the Musée Guthenberg for the history of printing and the Art and History Museum for antiques and religious paintings. Quirkier options are the Musée Suisse de la Machine à Coudre about sewing machines, the Swiss Puppet Museum full of masks and puppets and the Chemins de Fer du Kaeserberg museum with model railways.
Fribourg is not only the linguistic border between French and German Switzerland, but also a meeting place of cultures and cuisines, old and new, young and old. Grab a meal at a classic French restaurant or join the students in the cafés to find out that this medieval city is not only proud of its past, but also ready for the future.
