Freiburg Minster (Cathedral), Freiburg (must see)

Freiburg Minster is a magnificent cathedral that bears witness to centuries of architectural evolution and history. The cathedral's origins can be traced back to around 1200 when it was initiated by the last duke of Zähringen, designed in the Romanesque architectural style of the time. However, in 1230, the cathedral underwent a significant transformation, adopting the graceful and soaring lines of the Gothic architectural style that characterize it today.

Remarkably, Freiburg Minster was constructed in part on the foundations of an original church dating back to the inception of Freiburg in 1120. Its most striking feature is the 116-meter tower, which boasts a nearly square base. At its center, you'll find the dodecagonal star gallery. Above this gallery, the tower takes on an octagonal and tapered shape, culminating in a towering spire that pierces the sky. This imposing tower houses 16 bells, with the oldest being the "Hosanna" bell cast in 1258, weighing a substantial 3,290 kilograms. The sonorous toll of this bell resonates through the city on various occasions, including Thursday evenings, Friday mornings, Saturday evenings, and annually on November 27th in remembrance of a historic air raid.

Inside the cathedral, two remarkable altars grace the sacred space: the high altar, a masterpiece crafted by Hans Baldung, and another altar created by the renowned artist Hans Holbein the Younger, found in a side chapel. As you step through the inner portal, you'll be greeted by intricate sculptures depicting the Ten Virgins, a testament to the skill of the cathedral's craftsmen.

The cathedral's nave windows are a visual delight, with each panel bearing the symbols of the guilds that generously donated them. Some of these windows feature a deep, rich red color, not from dye but due to a suspension of solid gold nanoparticles, creating a mesmerizing effect.

Don't forget to admire the 91 grotesque gargoyles adorning the cathedral. Beyond their role in diverting water away from the structure, their grotesque and tortured visages were designed to ward off malevolent forces and protect the cathedral from evil demons.

Freiburg Minster holds the distinction of being the only Gothic church tower in Germany that was completed during the Middle Ages, finalized in 1330. Remarkably, this majestic tower survived the devastating bombing raids of November 1944, which laid waste to all the buildings on the west and north sides of the market. The tower's resilience during these tumultuous times is attributed to its lead anchors, which firmly connect the sections of the spire. Additionally, the windows had been removed from the spire during that period, ensuring their preservation.