Tilleul de Morat

Fribourg, Drei-Seen-Land and The Jura


Legend has it that in 1476 a messenger sprinted from Murten to Fribourg to relay the joyous news that the Swiss had defeated Charles the Bold…only to drop dead with exhaustion on arrival. Onlookers, saddened by this tragic twist, took the linden twig from the messenger’s hat, planted it and cared for it – the tree you see today, over half a millennium later, is born of that very twig.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Fribourg, Drei-Seen-Land and The Jura attractions

1. Hôtel de Ville

0.03 MILES

Fribourg's late-Gothic town hall dominates the heart of the Old Town. Just to the side, you'll find the 500-year-old symbol of the city, the Tilleul de…

2. Basilique de Notre-Dame de Fribourg

0.09 MILES

The highlight of this church is an 18th-century Crèche Napolitaine featuring 75 figurines re-enacting the nativity, annunciation and scenes from daily…

4. Musée Gutenberg

0.11 MILES

Embark on a voyage of the printed word in this printing and communication museum, housed in a 16th-century granary and with a multimedia show to bring the…

5. Cathédrale St Nicolas de Fribourg

0.13 MILES

Before entering this brooding 13th-century Gothic cathedral, contemplate the main portal with its 15th-century sculptured portrayal of the Last Judgment…

6. Musée d’Art et d’Histoire

0.16 MILES

Fribourg’s art and history museum, with an excellent collection of late Gothic sculpture and painting, is housed in the Renaissance Hôtel Ratzé. Gothic…

7. Fri Art

0.19 MILES

For an inspiring dose of contemporary art, head to this old red-brick seminary for some excellent temporary exhibitions. Late-night opening on Thursday…

8. Old Town

0.19 MILES

The 12th-century Old Town was laid out in simple fashion, with Grand-Rue as the main street and parallel Rue des Chanoines and Rue des Bouchers devoted to…