Historic Freiburg im Breisgau Walking Tour

Under the shadow of the 116-metre high tower of the cathedral, the guide welcomes you and shows you the carved stones with stonemasons' marks that bear witness to eight centuries of faith and craftsmanship. In the market square you will discover how the medieval guilds regulated the prices of fruit, cloth and... sausages, a gastronomic tradition that still survives in the morning stalls.

A few steps further on, the route crosses the Bächle, small canals that run through the old town; legend has it that if you step in - even if you don't mean to - you'll end up marrying a Freiburgers. The guide explains how these streams prevented fires and fed the merchants' horses.

At Bertoldsbrunnen you'll learn about the history of the Zähringers, the founding dukes who turned this crossroads into one of the Black Forest's most prosperous trading centres. The reddish stone of the Gothic façade of the New Town Hall serves as a backdrop as you listen to anecdotes of patricians and students who shaped the liberal character of the city.

The optional climb up the Schlossberg hill (route without demanding steps) offers a panoramic view of the old town and the city vineyard that meanders along the hillside. There, the guide points out the nearby Black Forest forests and tells how Freiburg became a benchmark for sustainability and solar energy in the 21st century.

Back at the square, the walk ends at the Old Town Hall, where the guide hands out recommendations for a Käsekuchen (cheesecake) or a local craft beer in the nearby taverns. A tasty end to a tour that mixes art, commerce and resilience.