City Overview

Freiburg lies at the foot of the Black Forest, 280 meters above sea level and surrounded by a fertile mountainous landscape. It is the economic and intellectual center of southwest Germany. As the seat of the University of Freiburg since 1457, its animated, youthful presence and its extensive research facilities work together to make Freiburg a delightful meeting place to exchange information and ideas.

Freiburg was founded by the Dukes of Zähringen in 1120, it then came under the Habsburg Dynasty in 1368. Freiburg was an important trading center during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. It was once a walled market town and later developed into a fort city in the 18th centuries. The city center was badly damaged during the Second World War II, but was rebuilt using the layout of the old city. It is now a modern city with a population of about 250,000. Freiburg's exceptionally efficient and comfortable local public transportation system makes moving around town a pleasure. Unique to Freiburg is the medieval Old Quarter with its architectural treasures, colorful marketplace and ‘Bächle’ which are little waterways running through the streets.

Freiburg has something of interest for everybody offering a host of activities including museums, charming pedestrian areas for shopping, festivals throughout the year and theatres that provide lively entertainment, dramas, musicals, ballets, cabarets and concerts. Freiburg’s summer activities include swimming, sailing, and golf and the surrounding mountains offer many hiking trails and pure mountain air. You can take a cable car up the mountain for spectacular views of the Rhine Valley and the Swiss Alps. To the north you can find splendid castle ruins and beautiful cycling routes. The countryside to the south is well known for its hot springs and for the many frescoes in the churches. On the east lies the Black Forest with hiking trails and lakes. There are a few winemaking villages to the west.

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