Attractions and Places To See around Freiburg im Breisgau - Top 20

In my opinion, the McDonalds is the only McDonalds in such a historic building. At least that's what a Freiburg resident told me. The requirements of the monument protection had to be observed for the installation.

The Martinstor is a well-preserved city gate of the former city fortifications. Originally there were 5 gates. In addition to the Martinstor, there is also the Schwabentor. Both are wonderful photo subjects!

A very special building is the bright red historic department store from the 14th century. A real eye-catcher!

One of the beautiful old city gates that you should definitely see on a tour of Freiburg's city center. You'll almost automatically pass by it. Of course, you can also take the tram and drive through. 🙃

Brief information on accessibility: Schwabentor is wheelchair accessible from Salzstraße and can be viewed from the outside. Accessible restrooms are located at Augustinerplatz. The tin figure hermitage in Schwabentor is not wheelchair accessible.

Schwabentor, Freiburg im Breisgau The Schwabentor was built in the mid-13th century as a city gate within the fortifications to protect the citizens. Leaving the city walls behind must have been a real adventure in the Middle Ages: Unknown forests and routes and the constant fear of being attacked by robbers made traders and travelers alike unsafe. For all those not deterred by their own fear, the "Thorn Puller" warns against leaving the city. A tormented expression adorns the relatively large head of the small, neckless figure, which sits with crossed legs above the gate of the defensive tower, pulling a thorn from its foot. This has been a symbol of sin and punishment since ancient times, which is why historians assume that the small relief served as a warning not to stray from the right path. Anyone who nevertheless entered the Schwabentor via the Salt Road could immediately cross the Dreisam Bridge and reach the most important trade routes in the Black Forest. A salt merchant from Swabia once came to Freiburg via one of these routes. He had fallen in love with the city on his previous business trips. He intended to buy Freiburg with several barrels full of money, but he was met with only ridicule and laughter from the townspeople, especially when he exuberantly opened the barrels and noticed that his stingy wife had made provisions. Not particularly enthusiastic about her husband's idea of spending all his money on buying a city, she had wisely exchanged the money for sand and stones before his departure. It is said that this legend gave the Schwabentor its name. Therefore, the salt merchant and his wagon have adorned the inside of the city gate since the 17th century. Freiburg's patron saint – the dragon slayer St. George – is emblazoned on the outside. Text / Source: City of Freiburg, Rathausplatz 2-4, 79098 Freiburg https://visit.freiburg.de/attraktionen/schwabentor

Schwabentor, Freiburg im Breisgau The Schwabentor was built in the mid-13th century as a city gate within the fortifications to protect the citizens. Leaving the city walls behind must have been a real adventure in the Middle Ages: Unfamiliar forests and routes, and the constant fear of being attacked by robbers, created uncertainty for merchants and travelers alike. For all those not deterred by their own fear, the "Thorn Puller" warned against leaving the city. A tormented expression adorns the relatively large head of the small, neckless figure, which sits with crossed legs above the gateway of the defensive tower, pulling a thorn from its foot. Since antiquity, the thorn has been a symbol of sin and punishment, which is why historians assume that the small relief served as a warning not to stray from the right path. Those who nevertheless passed through the Schwabentor on the Salt Road could immediately cross the Dreisam Bridge and reach the most important trade routes of the Black Forest. A salt merchant from Swabia once traveled along one of these routes to Freiburg, having fallen in love with the city on his previous business trips. He intended to buy Freiburg with several barrels full of money, but the citizens only mocked and laughed at him, especially when he exuberantly opened the barrels and discovered that his miserly wife had taken precautions. Less enthusiastic about her husband's idea of spending all his money on a city, she had wisely traded the money for sand and stones before his departure. It is said that this legend gave the Schwabentor (Swabian Gate) its name. Therefore, the salt merchant and his wagon have adorned the inside of the city gate since the 17th century. On the outside, Freiburg's patron saint – St. George the dragon slayer – is prominently displayed. Text / Source: City of Freiburg, Rathausplatz 2-4, 79098 Freiburg https://visit.freiburg.de/attraktionen/schwabentor

Martinstor, Freiburg im Breisgau "It would be an unparalleled lack of respect if one wanted to lay hands on this venerable, stately witness to Freiburg's oldest history and tear it down. [...]" said Mayor Otto Winterer shortly after taking office in 1888. At that time, in view of the plans for an electric tram, some citizens and business people called for the demolition of the Schwabentor and the Martinstor. The two medieval Freiburg city gates, two of what were once five defensive towers, had survived all wars and were seen by critics as an obstacle to modern transport development. Winterer, however, saw things differently. To emphasise the importance of the two historic towers from the 13th century and because "a village has roofs and a city has towers", Winterer literally "went one step further". Instead of tearing down the Martinstor, it was raised almost three times its height, from 22 to 63 metres. It was also given a roof structure in the historicising style of the 15th century. Century and a larger passage for the tram. This also calmed down its critics. Like the other four towers, the Martinstor was integrated flush into the city wall and connected to the battlement. On the outside of the city there was a massive forecourt as an additional defense system and a bridge over the 12 meter wide and five meter deep moat. On the east side you can still see the opening of the battlement at a height of about six meters. On the inside of the Martinstor there is a memorial plaque commemorating the victims of the witch hunts. The three council widows Anna Wohlffartin, Catharina Stadelmennin and Margaretha Mößmerin were beheaded and burned during the first wave of persecution from 1599 and therefore represent all victims from the 16th and 17th centuries. Although the Martinstor was chosen as the location for this memorial plaque, it was not witches who were imprisoned here, but mostly debtors. That is why it was said at the time that the Martin's cloak had been hung around their necks. Text / Source: City of Freiburg, Rathausplatz 2-4, 79098 Freiburg https://visit.freiburg.de/attraktionen/martinstor