Germany · Ruin
Freiburg Castle
Freiburg Castle (the Burghaldenschloss) was a hilltop motte-and-bailey complex on the Schlossberg above Freiburg. Over many centuries it was rebuilt and enlarged, most famously fortified in the late 17th century under Vauban and Leopold, and later largely demolished in the mid-18th century; today only earthworks remain.
Its prime
1681
Today
Ruin
As it stood in 1681
What Freiburg Castle looked like in its prime.
A compact hilltop fortress crowning the heavily wooded Schlossberg above the town, built in stone on a raised motte with an inner bailey and surrounding curtain walls. A tall, rectangular donjon dominates the cluster of lower domestic buildings; multiple towers pierce the curtain line. The hill slopes are terraced with a continuous fortress ring and bulwarks along the slope; a neck ditch protects the landward approach. Roofs are pitched; ramparts and bastioned works connect into the slope.
Its story
The story of Freiburg Castle.
In 1091 Duke Berthold II of Zähringen ordered the construction of the Castrum de Friburch on the Schlossberg above Freiburg, in Romanesque style. His servants and craftsmen settled at the foot of the hill, and in 1120 his son Konrad, with the approval of Emperor Henry IV, granted the settlement market rights — the founding moment of the city of Freiburg.
After the Zähringer line ended in 1218, the lordship passed to the counts of Urach, who restyled themselves counts of Freiburg and resided in the castle. Relations with the townsfolk repeatedly soured over the city's financial obligations, and in 1299, at war with Count Egino II, the citizens turned catapults on the castle to blow a breach. In 1368 they ransomed themselves from their lords for 15,000 silver marks and submitted voluntarily to Habsburg protection; Duke Leopold III of Austria handed the castle ruins over to the Freiburgers.
The military story did not end with the counts: the Schlossberg was refortified in the late 17th century under Vauban and Leopold, and the works were largely demolished in the mid-18th century. Of the castle usually called the Burghaldenschloss, only earthworks survive today.
Step inside
7 places to explore in 1681.
The record describes 7 distinct spots at Freiburg Castle — including the full exterior approach. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and walk through every one — more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.
Create History
Recreate Freiburg Castle with AI to explore it.
The artist rebuilds it as it stood in 1681 — a photoreal walk that belongs to you alone. Pay with coins, no subscription needed.
Recreate this castle →Whose castle
Clans who held Freiburg Castle.
The families that held Freiburg Castle for a decade or more across its history — follow a name to its clan.
Zähringen
Built from 1091 for Duke Berthold II of Zähringen; held by the Zähringer until the line ended in 1218.
Urach
The counts of Urach, styled counts of Freiburg, resided in the castle from 1218 until the citizens bought themselves out in 1368.
