What building best represents Fribourg?
For the team, the Poya Bridge, Switzerland’s longest cable-stayed bridge, is the most emblematic monument. Another bridge, the Zähringen, offers stunning views. Just a stone’s throw from the Café du Belvédère.
The Morat lime tree, one of the most famous in Switzerland, is another feature of Fribourg. The tree commemorates the Battle of Morat in 1476. According to legend, a messenger ran to Fribourg to announce the welcomed defeat of the Burgundian army. He waved a branch he found on the battlefield as a sign of victory. The branch took root and over time turned into a magnificent lime tree. Unfortunately, the tree came to an untimely demise. It was destroyed in a car accident in 1983. Only a shrub taken from the beautiful tree remains today. Every year, the city pays tribute to the messenger on the first Sunday of October by organizing the Morat-Fribourg race. No less than 8,000 athletes compete.
Any famous locals?
Hubert Audriaz , anartist, event organizer and former hockey player for Fribourg-Gotteron. The lower town’s biggest fan, he is famous in Fribourg and scoots around on a ‘boguet’ bicycle. It was he who created the Fribourg-Gotteron hockey club logo : a dragon. In a way, Hubert Audriaz without his bike is like Gotteron without its dragon !
Another irreplaceable local figure is Michel Simonet, ‘the street sweeper with a rose’, poet and philosopher. He is known throughout the city for his flower-topped cart and passionate sweeping. He visited the ibis Fribourg in 2015 with that year’s winner of the Miss Switzerland pageant.
Visitors can also meet Gustav, a singer from the Sense region. His funny nursery rhymes, folk songs and creative blending of French and Senslertütsch are a real treat! His effervescent humor is contagious.
Jean Tinguely is a sculptor, painter and designer. He is famous for creating Crocrodrome de Zig & Puce at the Georges Pompidou contemporary art gallery in Paris.
Last but not least, Jo Siffert is another famous Fribourg local. He’s one of the only Swiss race car driversto have won a Formula 1 race.