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Street · Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden-Württemberg
Freiburger Bächle
Narrow water channels that run along the streets of the Altstadt since the Middle Ages. They were used to supply the city and fight fires; today they cool the center in summer.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Freiburger Bächle
The Bächle (little streams, in the local dialect) are shallow, narrow stone channels that run beside the sidewalks of Freiburg’s Altstadt. They appear in documents as early as 1220, total nearly 16 km (partly underground), and are fed by water diverted from the river Dreisam, which flows through the town.
In the Middle Ages the water was used for livestock, washing and firefighting. Today the channels are part of the city center’s scenery: children float wooden boats on the current and, in summer, the sound of the water accompanies walks along Kaiser-Joseph-Straße, Gerberau and Fischerau.
Local tradition says that whoever accidentally steps into a Bächle will marry someone from Freiburg. In the Gerberau, near the Augustinermuseum, the water runs wider between old tanners’ houses, one of the quietest stretches of the Altstadt.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
There is no specific visit: the Bächle accompany any walk through the Altstadt. Allow about 30 minutes for Gerberau and Fischerau.
Best time
On hot days, from May to September, when the channels run full and cool the streets. The channels may be drained for cleaning at certain times.
How to get there
They are found throughout the Altstadt. Gerberau and Fischerau are about a 5-minute walk from Münsterplatz, near the Augustinermuseum and Martinstor.
Tip
Watch the ground when crossing streets, especially at night: the channels run flush with the curb. Wooden toy boats for children are sold in shops in the center.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Freiburger Bächle
Is the water in the Bächle drinkable?
No. It's water diverted from the river Dreisam that runs through open channels. Do not drink it.
What is the legend of the Bächle?
According to local tradition, whoever steps into a Bächle by accident will marry someone from Freiburg.
Where are the most scenic stretches to see?
At the Gerberau and the Fischerau, near the Augustinermuseum, where the water runs wider between old houses, and along the Kaiser-Joseph-Straße.