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Schwabentorsteg: A Bridge to Freiburg's Past

Cross the Schwabentorsteg for a scenic connection between Freiburg's Old Town and the Schlossberg, with views of the historic Schwabentor.

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The Schwabentorsteg is a covered wooden bridge that provides pedestrians access between Freiburg's Old Town and the Schlossberg. Built in 1970, it spans the Schlossbergring, a busy ring road, and offers a unique vantage point of the historic Schwabentor (Swabian Gate).

A brief summary to Schwabentorsteg

  • Schlossbergring, Freiburg im Breisgau, Mitte, DE

Local tips

  • Take your time while crossing the bridge to enjoy the views of the Schwabentor and the surrounding area.
  • Visit the Zinnfigurenklause museum inside the Schwabentor for a glimpse into the region's history through intricate tin figure displays.
  • Use the Schwabentorsteg as a starting point for exploring the Schlossberg, with its hiking trails and panoramic viewpoints.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From Freiburg's city center (Bertoldsbrunnen), walk east along Kaiser-Joseph-Strasse, the main pedestrian street. Continue onto Oberlinden, passing the Martinstor (another historic city gate). The Schwabentor and Schwabentorsteg will be visible on your right, approximately a 5-10 minute walk. No cost.

  • Public Transport

    From Freiburg Hauptbahnhof (main train station), take tram line 1 towards Littenweiler. Get off at the 'Schwabentor' stop, which passes directly through the gate. The Schwabentorsteg is adjacent to the tram stop. A single ticket within Freiburg (Tarifzone 1) costs approximately €2.50.

  • Parking

    If driving, the closest parking garage is Schwabentorgarage on Leo-Wohleb-Strasse. From there, it's a short walk to the Schwabentor and the Schwabentorsteg. Parking rates at Schwabentorgarage range from €2.20-€2.70 per hour, with a maximum daily rate of €18-€30.

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Discover more about Schwabentorsteg

The Schwabentorsteg is more than just a functional bridge; it's a charming architectural element that complements Freiburg's historic cityscape. Constructed in 1970, the covered wooden structure allows pedestrians to safely cross the Schlossbergring, a four-lane ring road that encircles the Old Town. The bridge links the Salzstrasse with the Schlossberg, Freiburg's castle hill. The bridge offers pedestrians a direct route to the Schlossberg, providing access to hiking trails and panoramic views of Freiburg. Its wooden construction blends harmoniously with the historic surroundings. The Schwabentor (Swabian Gate), one of Freiburg's two remaining medieval city gates, stands close to the Schwabentorsteg. Built around 1250, the gate has undergone several transformations throughout its history. In 1547, it was enclosed with a stone wall, and in 1572, a stair turret was added. A painting from 1572 depicts a merchant with a cart, which inspired a local legend about a Swabian man who tried to buy the city with barrels of sand and pebbles. The gate was significantly altered around 1900, with a design by Carl Schäfer that nearly doubled its height. In 1903, Fritz Geiges added a painting of Saint George slaying the dragon. Since 1969, the Schwabentor has housed the Zinnfigurenklause, a small private museum featuring historical scenes depicted with approximately 9,000 tin figures. The museum showcases events related to southern Germany's freedom movements, including the Battle of Sempach and the Revolution of 1848 in Baden.

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