2026-06-09 Freiburg Germany

 Tuesday, June 9, 2026

Frieburg Germany

We have not yet taken Pat and Chuck to Germany, so that's the plan for today. OUR weather report said small chance of rain and then a high of 68. Should be perfect for visiting the open market around the Munster. (church) As we started out, the sun was shining. As usual, Dave drove right to the underground parking near the Tourist Office, with a little help from the GPS. There were sprinkles on the windshield as we parked, but it's not supposed to rain. Of course, none of us brought our raincoats. (Lesson learned.)

It was sprinkling as we left the parking garage and by a block later it was "sprinkling" hard. We ducked under doorways along the way and were quite wet by the time we got to the Tourist Office. Pat and I watched people while Dave and Chuck went in to get walking tour maps. I waited under the arcades of the tourist office while Dave, Chuck, and Pat visited St. Martin's catholic church across the road. 

ducking under overhangs to try to keep dry - but no luck

Pat sheltering under the arcade of the new Hotel de Ville

The arcaded gallery at the new Rathaus (town hall) where the Tourist Office is.

 St Martin's catholic church can be seen through the arcade across the Rathaus Platz (town hall place)      

Pat & Chuck walking under an umbrella to St Martin's church. Behind them, the beige building with the arcaded front is the new Rathaus and the red building with the clock is the old Rathaus

Inside of St Martin's Catholic church:

Looking at the organ above the entrance.

A chapel

modern stained glass

By now it was almost noon and Dave had noticed a restaurant just around the corner that opened at noon. The Rothaus restaurant was very modern and we were greeted at the door by a server whose English had an American accent and who found us just the right spot in the corner where I could easily leave my scooter. He brought us English menus and translated the daily menu for us. Of course, we were the only people in the restaurant at noon, so we were able to chat with our server. He had spent a year in Washington State and, of course, had learned English in school ever since he was in first grade. He helped Dave & Chuck find a nearby grocery store on the map. Chuck had a hankering for a German Mosel wine and, of course, Alsace does not sell German wine.

Chuck ordered the daily special - chile con carne - while the rest of us ordered flammkuchen (tarte flambée) with bacon and onions. After a leisurely lunch, the rain had stopped - in fact, the sun was trying to shine. Oops! Too hungry for a photo of our meal. But it was good. 

On our way out, Dave wanted a photo of the beer bottles behind the bar. Our server kindly took a photo of us as we left. 

Each of those colored bottles is a beer bottle - I forget which brand

Chuck, Pat, Dave, & Lynn

What rain? The sun is shining! We traced our steps back to get on the walking tour. 

Dave taking a photo of the oriel window on the new town hall

front of St. Martin's church

door of St. Martin's church

This mosaic was in Rathaus Platz. Madison Wisconsin became a twin city to Freiburg Germany in 1987. Who knew you could find a mosaic of our capitol in Germany? The stones making up this mosaic come from the Rhine River, a tradition that began in the 1800s. Pretty cool!

We made our way to the Munster square via some side streets with very interesting buildings. 

Along Franziskanerstrasse

now a bank building

Haus zum Walfisch (the Whale House) Erasmus, the Renaaissance humanist, lived here from 1529-1531

As in many German cities destroyed in WWI and WWII, Freiburg has a mix of old (and often rebuilt) buildings and new. It also has a modern tram system that keeps cars out of the city center and provides transportation around the entire city. 

This glass fronted grocery store (where Dave & Chuck bought wine) is next to the 15th century late Gothic Basler Hof, now housing the Regional Council.

Trams run frequently through Freiburg

We arrived at the Muenster Platz to find the market closing up. But the church was open with many visitors entering its huge wooden doors. Germany uses the word Muenster (pronounced minster) to designate the bishop's seat, coming from the Latin monasterium, meaning monastery. Although no longer a bishopric, the term continues to be used to designate "an important church". 

As are most churches we see, the Muenster is undergoing renovation.

A last few shoppers take advantage of the fresh produce

The only Gothic tower in Germany, the Muensterturm is 116 meters tall (That's taller than a football field is long.) Built in the 1200s, it survived intact during the 1944 bombing of Freiburg.

Pat entering the Muenster.

The church's stained glass windows had been removed and hidden before the allied bombings in 1944 and so were not destroyed.

High Altar

This photo from 1945 shows that despite all the houses destroyed around it, the Muenster and its tower survived intact.

Leaving the Muenster, we walked back to our car, passing by the set up for the Muensterplatz concert series - a multi-day music fest. 

Historical Merchants' Hall on Muenster Platz advertising the concert series.

A sewer grate in Muenster Platz

Getting out of the city was an hour-long challenge. We had noticed when driving into town that the opposite side of the autobahn (interstate highway) was backed up for what seemed miles. Well, now we had to go home via that same backup, created by roadwork (what else?) Trying to avoid the worst of the backup, Dave drove us on a tour of city streets which only sort of worked. Like the US, this seems to be prime roadwork season. sigh.

But we made it home. Dave grilled salmon which we ate with roasted potatoes, ratatouille, and salad. Oh, and a rosé wine. Too cold to eat outside, but c'est la vie.