Fribourg Cathedral

Fribourg, Switzerland

The Gothic Cathedral of St. Nicholas dominates the center of the medieval town of Fribourg. It is built on a rocky outcrop 50 metres above the river Sarine (Saane).

The main body of the church was started in 1283 and completed by 1430. The tower was completed in 1490. It is 76 metres tall and houses 11 bells. It also features a rose window above the main portal with stained glass by Harrison Weltlich (1988). The stained-glass windows, designed by the Polish painter Jozef Mehoffer and made by local craftsmen Kirsch & Fleckner between 1896 and 1936, constitute one of the most important collection of religious Art Nouveau stained-glass windows.

Climb the 368 steps to the tower and you will be rewarded with an unforgettable view of the town of Fribourg.

References:

Wikipedia

Address

Rue des Chanoines, Fribourg, Switzerland

See all sites in Fribourg

Details

Founded: 1283
Category: Religious sites in Switzerland

More Information

www.stnicolas.ch
en.wikipedia.org

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

Interesting Sites Nearby

Museum of Art and History (0,3 km)
Hauterive Abbey (5,8 km)
La Maigrauge Abbey (0,8 km)

Old City of Berne (26,9 km)
Bern Minster (27 km)
Zytglogge (26,8 km)
Federal Palace of Switzerland (26,5 km)
Chillon Castle (47,2 km)
French Church (26,8 km)
Nydeggkirche (27,4 km)
Gruyères Castle (25,3 km)
Solothurn Cathedral (53 km)

User Reviews

Hector Gonzalez (5 months ago)
In Fribourg town in Switzerland this majesty and antique cathedral.

Dan S (7 months ago)
One of the oldest cathedral in Europe, a wonderful testimony of architecture and human dedication, leaving a capodopera of human sacrifice to posterity. If you visit the area stop for a moment and rest inside! Let the century of prayers to infuse you regardless of your believes.

Francisco Castelo (15 months ago)
Beautiful gothic Cathedral! Centuries old Catholic church is in the center of Fribourg. It is open, definitely worth a visit.

Sunil Yaduvansh (2 years ago)
The Cathedral of St Nicholas represents three diferent periods of western art and architecture. The edifice of the building is from the Gothic period - as is the choir gate, the baptismal fonts, the pulpit, the cross, 'The Burial of Christ' and two sculptured portals. One of the famous Catholic Church..

KangWei Yew (2 years ago)
Amazing view! Pay 5 Fr. (student / child price available) at the cathedral shop next to the church and you will get a ticket to climb the stairs (368 steps ?) at the left side of the church (another door).

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Finest Norman castles in Italy

Exploring the History of Northern Poland

Discovering Slovenia's Historic Wonders

Photo from Flickr, copyright Andy Hay

Historic Site of the week

Argos Theater

The ancient Argos Theater was built in 320 BC. and is located in Argos, Greece against Larissa Hill. Nearby from this site is Agora, Roman Odeon, and the Baths of Argos. The theater is one of the largest architectural developments in Greece and was renovated in ca 120 AD.

The Hellenistic theater at Argos is cut into the hillside of the Larisa, with 90 steps up a steep incline, forming a narrow rectilinear cavea. Among the largest theaters in Greece, it held about 20,000 spectators and is divided by two landings into three horizontal sections. Staircases further divide the cavea into four cunei, corresponding to the tribes of Argos A high wall was erected to prevent unauthorized access into the theatron and may have helped the acoustics, but it is said the sound quality is still very good today.

Around 120 CE, both theaters were renovated in the Roman style.