Fribourg

Fribourg was founded in 1157 by the Zähringen dynasty, the same family that founded Bern, and the city lies on the border between the German- and French-speaking regions of Switzerland. St Nicholas Cathedral was built in the Gothic style from 1283 to 1490. A spiral staircase of 365 steps leads to the viewing platform at 74 metres, offering a panoramic view of the entire city. The thirteen main stained-glass windows were created by the Polish artist Józef Mehoffer between 1896 and 1936 in the Art Nouveau style. The medieval part of the city comprises the districts of Bourg, Auge, and Neuveville. The funicular, dating from 1899 and powered by the city's wastewater, connects the Lower Town with the city centre.