Tympanum of the St Nicolas cathedral in the city of Fribourg, Switzerland showing the scene of the Last Judgment.

© DRG Photography/Shutterstock

Cathédrale St Nicolas de Fribourg

Top choice in Fribourg, Drei-Seen-Land and The Jura


Before entering this brooding 13th-century Gothic cathedral, contemplate the main portal with its 15th-century sculptured portrayal of the Last Judgment. On your right upon entering, inside the Chapelle du Saint Sépulcre, is an exceptionally lifelike sculptural group (1433) depicting Christ’s burial. Unless you suffer vertigo, or are of poor health, a 368-step climb of the cathedral’s 74m-tall tower for remarkable views over the medieval town should be considered a must-do.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

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

1. Old Town

0.09 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…

2. Basilique de Notre-Dame de Fribourg

0.1 MILES

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

3. Hôtel de Ville

0.11 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…

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…

6. Tilleul de Morat

0.13 MILES

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…

7. Musée d’Art et d’Histoire

0.22 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…

8. Planche Supérieure

0.24 MILES

Cross Pont du Milieu and head west towards this broad, sloping square, which features the former Commanderie de St Jean, erected by the Knights of the…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "switzerland/fribourg-neuchatel-and-the-jura/attractions/cathedrale-st-nicolas-de-fribourg/a/poi-sig/1115459/1004503",
      "destination": "Fribourg,-Drei-Seen-Land-and-The-Jura",
      "continent": "Europe",
      "country": "Switzerland",
      "region": "Fribourg,-Drei-Seen-Land-and-The-Jura",
      "position": "superzone"
    }