- 38,800 inhabitants in the town of Fribourg (82,700 agglomeration)
- 1157: the town of Fribourg was founded by Berchtold IV von Zähringen in 1157
- 2 languages: German and French
- 1 river: Sarine
- 6 towers, 7 gates, 7 sections of fortifications in Fribourg
- 14 bridges and 12 historic fountains
A walk from Freiburg/Fribourg train station to the lower town will reveal how “modernity” competes with the “Middle Ages”. The old town of Fribourg is deemed to be one of the most beautiful towns in Switzerland. Its location alone is enchanting: it nestles in an extremely picturesque location in the meander loop of the Sarine River and extends from the riverside via the lower town to the centre of the old town around the Cathedral.
The cantonal capital not only forms a cultural bridge between the German and French areas of Switzerland, it also boasts numerous bridges of special architectural interest.
There are 14 bridges in total in the urban area and the oldest were built in the 13th century. The newest, called Poya Bridge, which was completed in 2014, is an impressive cable-stayed bridge with the longest distance between two piers nationwide. It is this oldest bridge that leads to the Gottéron Valley - according to a legend, a dragon once lived there.
So it is no surprise that the Fribourg-Gottéron ice hockey team and its mascot, the dragon, originated here. The Gottéron Valley is an area of natural beauty and a recreational spot for town dwellers, tourists and people in search of peace and quiet.
Would you like to spend the night in a historic town hotel in old walls, a cosy B&B in the town centre or even in a monastery?
Finest gourmet cuisine alternates with student restaurants and fondue restaurants. The choice is amazing.