Scenes From Freiburg, Germany

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I’ve been waiting for spring for a long time. Since right around the time the first chill of late fall hit the air. And since we got our first snow at the end of October, I think I’ve waited long enough for this dreary winter to call it quits. This past weekend, it finally happened. The sun came out big and bright, the temperature rose to a point that was warm enough for T-shirts, and people poured out of their homes into the center of the city for some much needed outdoor time.

Freiburg, Germany photosAndy and I spent Sunday afternoon sitting outside at a cafe just enjoying the warmth, sunlight, and each other’s company. But Monday morning when Andy went off to work and I tried to write, I realized Sunday afternoon wasn’t enough for me. I hate cold weather, and I was almost giddy that I could finally go outside without a coat again. So I grabbed my camera and headed back into Freiburg’s old town to wander around and take pictures of the city coming back to life.

Münsterplatz

The big cathedral in the center of town is Münster, and every day but Sunday you can find a lively market all around it. I like to buy vegetables here to make salads. Stroll through to purchase fruits, vegetables, flowers, meats, cheeses, olives and other Mediterranean foods, handmade crafts, spices from all over the world, and local sausages for a quick lunch.  Come early though, most stands start shutting down by noon or 1PM, though the sausage stands will stay open longer than the fruit and vegetables stands.

Freiburg, Germany photos

Freiburg, Germany photos

Freiburg, Germany photos

Freiburg, Germany photos

Freiburg, Germany photos

Freiburg, Germany photos

Rathausplatz

City Hall in German is Rathaus (pronounced like rat house) so the square it sits on is Rathausplatz. I don’t think the building itself is all that impressive, but there’s a calm fountain in the square, cobblestones displaying a few of Freiburg’s sister cities, and it’s one of many relaxing places to lounge in the sun.

Freiburg, Germany photos

Freiburg, Germany photos

Freiburg, Germany photos

Freiburg, Germany photos

Freiburg, Germany photos

Freiburg, Germany photos

Bertoldsbrunnen

In the city center is where you will usually find the most people. Bertoldsbrunnen is a fountain at the intersection of two major roads, right where all the trams cross paths, so it’s where people often meet up in town. There are shops and restaurants all along the main roads and various side roads in this area. If you stand in the center where everything intersects, you can see Martinstor, one of two remaining gates of the old city walls. When walking through the center of town, be aware of the Bächle that run along the side of the roads. Bächle are little streams or gutters of running water, and you’ll often see kids pulling little boats in them.

Freiburg, Germany photos

Freiburg, Germany photos

Freiburg, Germany photos

Freiburg, Germany photos

Freiburg, Germany photos

Hopefully this wonderful spring weather is here to stay. I have no desire to put on my scarf again, and I’m quite enjoying wandering through Freiburg in a T-shirt again. Even though this is the sunniest and warmest corner of Germany, that’s still comparing our cold city with an even colder country. It’s been almost a full six months of winter conditions, and I’ve never been happier to see spring arrive. If only there was a way to keep it here permanently.

Explore Freiburg and more with this 1 week itinerary in the Black Forest.