Fribourg, Switzerland - Definition and Overview

Fribourg (in French: Fribourg, German: Freiburg im Üechtland, Italian Friburgo, Romansh Friburg) is the capital of the Swiss canton Fribourg on the river named Saane (in German) or Sarine (in French).

Some numbers

• Surface: 9.32 km²
• Height: mean height 610 m; the highest point is the Schönberg (702 m)
• Population 36.405 inhabitants (2003)
• Languages: French (ca. 21.240 inhabitants) and German (ca. 8.288 inhabitants)

History

The town was founded in 1157 by Berchtold IV von Zähringen. It is a member of the Swiss Confederation since 1481.

Sights

Saane/Sarine river near the city

As its sister city Bern Fribourg has preserved its medieval center as a whole that is now one of the largest in Europe. Consisting of the neighborhoods Bourg, Auge and Neuveville its old town is rich in fountains and churches dating from the 12th century until the 17th century. Its Gothic cathedral, reaching 76 meters in height, has been built between 1283 and 1490. The fortifications of Fribourg form the most important medieval military architecture of Switzerland: 2 kilometers of ramparts, 14 towers and one big bulwark.

Education

• University of Fribourg

Schools and the University are bilingual French and German. It is possible to follow schools in either language at any level.

Miscellaneous

Canton and capital share the name but have different coat of arms.

External link

• Official site (http://www.fr.ch/ville-fribourg/) (French & German).