With its steeple visible from nearly all over town, it won’t take you long to be drawn to Freiburg’s Gothic cathedral. Construction of Freiburg Munster started in 1200. Building started in a Romanesque style but eventually changed to an elaborate Gothic style. The church became a cathedral in the 19th century and has remained the most important Catholic religious site in the city since. Visit the church to admire its architecture, attend a mass or simply relax in its quiet interior.
Admire the 380-feet (116-metre) tall steeple as it protrudes high above Freiburg’s low skyline. Listen for the 19 bells that ring at midday. At the top of the steeple the original 7,253-pound (3,290-kilogram) bell hangs high above the city.
Study the multi-panelled painting behind the high altar. This 1516 work, called the Coronation of the Virgin, was the largest commission of Renaissance artist Hans Baldung Grien.
Bask in the colored light that floods through the cathedrals beautiful stained-glass windows. While most of the windows are later additions to the Freiburg Munster, some are original and date back to the 13th century. To see other original windows that have been removed from the cathedral to be preserved, visit the Augstiner Museum in town.
Climb the tower for a small fee for sweeping views across the city. Wind your way up the narrow spiral staircase to reach the summit. Admission to the cathedral chapels is included in this fee. The remainder of the cathedral is free of charge.
The Freiburg Munster is open daily, however, the tower closes from Sunday to Tuesday in winter. Reach the Freiburg Munster on foot from most central Freiburg locations or on trams 1, 3 or 5.
