Trip Planner: Europe / Switzerland / Canton of Fribourg / Fribourg / Cathedrale St-Nicolas

Cathedrale St-Nicolas, Fribourg

4.6

Religious Site · Hidden Gem · Tourist Spot

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The Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Fribourg, built in the Gothic style, dominates the center of the medieval town of Fribourg (Switzerland). It is built on a rocky outcrop 50 metres above the river Sarine (Saane).
The main body of the church was started in 1283 and completed by 1430. The tower was completed in 1490. It is 76 metres tall and houses 11 bells. It also features a rose window above the main portal with stained glass by Harrison Weltlich (1988). The stained-glass windows, created by the Polish painter Jozef Mehoffer between 1896 and 1936, constitute one of the most important collection of religious Art Nouveau stained-glass windows.
Originally a parish church, in 1945 it became the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lausanne, Geneva and Fribourg. Plan your Cathedrale St-Nicolas visit and explore what else you can see and do in Fribourg using our Fribourg travel itinerary planner.

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Cathedrale St-Nicolas reviews

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348 reviews

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4.6

By saronic

The Gothic Cathedral of Saint Nicholas can be seen from various places, beautifully also from the right hand side of the Sarine. Its 74m high tower rising above the roofs of the old town, with...

The Gothic Cathedral of Saint Nicholas can be seen from various places, beautifully also from the right hand side of the Sarine. Its 74m high tower rising above the roofs of the old town, with... more »
By FlowerLover77

This is a beautiful old church that is still active and therefore is kept in top-top shape and very colorful. It is free to enter but the audio guide and tours of the upper areas are available for a..... more

This is a beautiful old church that is still active and therefore is kept in top-top shape and very colorful. It is free to enter but the audio guide and tours of the upper areas are available for a..... more »
By 904iainm

The modest exterior belies the treasures inside, and the beautiful stained glass windows throughout. The style is much plainer than you might expect, but impressive nonetheless. It's a good step up.... more

The modest exterior belies the treasures inside, and the beautiful stained glass windows throughout. The style is much plainer than you might expect, but impressive nonetheless. It's a good step up.... more »

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By Shane

Beautiful cathedral! The stained glass, relics, statues organ and more make this a great stop. They had great pamphlets available in multiple languages and really interesting history.

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By Yuriy Sydorenko

Wonderful place. I suddenly learned that a particle of the relics of St. Nicholas rests here.

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By Christoph Swiss

Visiting Fribourg and the cathedral is always worth. Just walking down the roads and up again, contemplative, specially on a quiet winter Sunday.

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By weiq

Nicely decorated with some vibrant stained glass.

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By Andre S

Tower access used to be free but now has fare gate with ticket sales at the cafe next door. Tower is not wheelchair accessible.

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