Freiberg has a long history dating back to 1091 when Berthold II of Zähringen built a castle on a hill to control local trade. In the valley below, people came and built the town of Freiberg. Today, we hiked up this castle hill (called Schlossberg in German), where there remain a few ruins of the centuries of people who came, saw and conquered this hill at the southern terminus of the Black Forest.
The city of Freiberg changed hands many times over the years as various groups fought and conquered the land here. Two of the medieval city gates still remain standing.
The lower part of the gate is original; however, the top was added more recently.
With no one to keep out, the gate welcomes visitors like us.
No matter where you go, however, the Munster dominates your view.
This spiral-step tower is at the top of Schlossberg hill. Naturally, John climbed all 251 steps to the top.
The Black Forest to the north.
When we wore ourselves out on foot, we stopped for lunch at the Dattler, part-way up the Schlossberg, where I tried radler and flammekuchen for the first time.
A radler is a low-alcohol blend of fruit juice and beer.
Traditional flammekuchen is a thin flatbread topped with cheese and speck (bacon). Rather like a thin crust pizza, it was invented by bakers who rolled out a very thin piece of dough and threw it in their ovens to test if the temperature was hot enough to bake breads.
Speaking of baking, we have two Pastries of the Day today to make up for yesterday. Both were bought here at Greimer shop.
Apfelrahm Kuchen, an apple and pudding torte.
Himbeertorte, raspberry layered on sponge cake and cream.
Two cakes isn’t too many. After all, it’s the start of birthday month!
