Up early in Munster to catch the train all the way to Freiburg. This took 4 trains with 3 changes and all day. Left Munster at 10am arrived Freiburg just after 5pm. We actually picked a great day to spend travelling as it has been our only rainy day. I’ll give Germany mostly full marks for their train travel. When delayed the driver would always keep us informed.
Our hotel for the next 4 nights is the Intercity hotel. It is conveniently located close to the train and down town. Bags dropped off, time to explore a bit of Freiburg - thank goodness for the long days of daylight.
Freiburg was first established in 1120 by the dukes of Zahringen. Can you believe that? It never ceases to amaze me when I read those dates. As we walked through ‘Old Freiburg’ we discovered one of the major landmark buildings - The Cathedral of Our Lady. It was started in 1200 and completed in 1513.
Freiburg was bombed during the 2nd world war and unbelievable as it is the church survived the bombing.
Surrounding the cathedral are the most delightful narrow, cobble stoned streets. Also Freiburg is referred to as “Little Venice” due to the numerous Bachles (gutters) running with clear, cool water. It is thought that the Bachles were used many, many years ago for the animals to drink from, water for the people and a ready source against fires. It was so lovely to see a current true entrepreneur who has a little toy boat business where eager children float their boats in the gutters.
It just so happened while we walked around the main market square in the ‘old town’ that there was a Summer Wine Festival. Several local wine growers have booths set up so you can buy and try. We sat with a lovely couple who explained to us about the local wine festival and also passed on a great tip for a local German dish and location. It is called Flammkuchen, a traditional French/German pizza. They were originally used by bakers to test the temperature of their ovens. A bit of dough was taken and rolled flat, topped with crème fraiche and baked in the wood-fired bread oven for a few minutes. The amount of time it took for the flammkuchen to bake to blistered crispness told them the oven’s temperature.
So of course we had to try it. It was delicious. Rather than tomato sauce, the dough for flammkuchen is spread with a thick, French soured cream. Ours was topped with ham, caramelised onions and olives.
Friday: Today we set out to discover Castle Hill (Schlossberg), it was right behind the Old Town and the forested peak can’t be missed as you explore the city. There’s no castle anymore but there are the remains of early 12/13th century fortifications and later 18th century fortifications.
It bought back our trek memories as we followed the winding paths to the top.
Having got a sweat up there was an observation tower to climb to see an even better look out across Freiburg.
Of course what goes up must come down. We took the cable car down.
We continued our exploring by looking in various shops and then back for a rest in the hotel.
After a quick rest and some rain we ventured out again to the wine festival to try a “frozen wine experience”. It was delicious - basically a white wine slushie. We enjoyed our drinks while being entertained by the Rathausmusik Freiburg brass band.
Reckon this would go down very easy in Brissie during summer.
Another big day, lots of walking and exploring. Need to come home for a rest!!!
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ReplyDeleteFreiberg sounds lovely! The boats are very cute. The wine slushie reminds me of an alcoholic treat we used to make (back in the day) with a tub of lemon sorbet. I can't remember what we mixed it with...vodka, maybe? Very refreshing.
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