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The Schlossberg (roughly translated: Castle Hill) is a hill of 456m that is presently for the most part tree-covered and is located in the area of the city of Freiburg im Breisgau. It is directly to the east of Freiburg’s Old Town and belongs to the Black Forest. The main geological fault is at the western edge of the Schlossberg towards the Upper Rhine Graben.

[edit] General information

Schlossberg Tower

Fortified structures had been built on the Schlossberg (roughly translated: The Castle Hill) since the 11th century. Remains of some of them are still visible today. For a few years now the board of trustees has tried to make the historical past of the Schlossberg in Freiburg more visible. To achieve this, the remains of the old, overgrown fortifications are being carefully uncovered so that they are available to interested visitors. The tower located on the hill (German: Schloßbergturm) from which one has a unique panoramic view over the whole town and its vicinity was built in 2002 and was a project of the board of trustees as well.

The Burghaldering (German: Burghalde = motte) also offers a good view over the city, especially from the Kanonenplatz right above the historic part of the town. The Burghaldering, which circles the hill at half height is partly a hiking trail and partly a forest road not open to motor traffic. It can be reached by foot or car and, since July 2008, also via the new Schlossbergbahn, a funicular railway built to replace the old Schlossberg cable railway.

Inside the mountain, there is a water tower built between 1874 and 1876 to supply Freiburg. Alongside the water tank a large bomb shelter can be found, which was built in the 20th century. Its main entrance is located on the west side of the mountain. The Bismarcktower, made of red sandstone, is located on a rock above the Burghaldering. It was designed by Fritz Geiges and inaugurated in 1900.