The Münsterplatz Freiburg
The southern side of the Muensterplatz Freiburg (Minster Square Freiburg) in a linear cityscape panorama. Here two of the most outstanding historical buildings of Freiburg can be seen, the historical merchants’ hall and the Wentzingerhaus. The Minster Square stretches out north and south of the Freiburg Minster (formally a cathedral). In former times this was the church yard, since the 18th century markets have been held here. To the far right of the panorama we see the Georgsbrunnen (St. georg Fountain), with a golden statue of Saint Georg. On this side of the square most of the buildings survived world war II., only the four buildings on the right edge had to be reconstructed.
The historical merchants’ hall
The dominating building in the left centre is now called the historical merchants’ hall of Freiburg. It dominates the square not only because of its red facade, but also because its facade is placed a bit in front of the line of the other buildings, so it appears larger to the eye of the viewer. It was built 1520-1532 by an unknown master for the municipal market and tolls organiszation. The first floor is mainly occupied by the Kaisersaal (emperor hall), the four sculptures along its front represent Emperor Maximilian I., King Philipp der Schöne, Emperor Karl V. and Emperor Ferdinand I.
Further buildings
To the far left we see the Wentzingerhaus, errected after 1761 by artist, sculptor and architect Johann Christian Wentzinger. He built it as a residential and atelier house and today it is one of the last existing artist houses from that period. It houses the msueum for city history today.
