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Monument · Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden-Württemberg
Martinstor
The older of the two gates remaining from Freiburg's medieval wall, dated 1202, on Kaiser-Joseph-Straße. The tower was raised in 1901, and trams pass under the arch.
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 Martinstor
The Martinstor is one of the two gates of Freiburg's medieval wall that have survived to the present. The timber of the structure was dated to 1202, and the first written mention is from 1238. The gate marked the city's exit in the medieval wall and for a time also served as a prison.
At the end of the 19th century there were proposals to demolish the gates to make way for the electric tram. Mayor Otto Winterer defended their preservation, and in 1901 the tower was raised to about 66 metres, with a high Gothic-style roof. Since then the trams on Kaiser-Joseph-Straße have passed under the arch.
Beside the gate begin the Gerberau and the Fischerau, streets of canals and houses of former artisans, and the surrounding area gathers bars and restaurants frequented by university students, which is just a few steps away.
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
10 to 15 minutes, combined with the walk along Gerberau and Fischerau.
Best time
At any time; at night the tower is illuminated. Around midday pedestrian and tram traffic is heavy.
How to get there
It is on Kaiser-Joseph-Straße, about a 5-minute walk from Münsterplatz. The Bertoldsbrunnen tram stop is the closest.
Tip
Watch out for trams passing under the arch: the street is pedestrianized, but the tracks are in constant use.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Martinstor
Is the gate medieval?
The original structure dates from 1202. In 1901 the tower was raised to about 66 metres, with a Gothic-style roof.
What's near the Martinstor?
The Gerberau and the Fischerau, with canals and old houses, the university buildings and many bars and restaurants.
Do trams pass through the gate?
Yes. the Kaiser-Joseph-Straße tram lines pass under the arch. Be careful when crossing.