February 2007: Fribourg – Cathédrale St-Nicolas

Fribourg’s highlight is the towering, High Gothic Cathédrale St-Nicolas, just off Place Notre-Dame. Take a moment to absorb the breathtaking, soaring, buttressed tower, exposed to view for its entire 73m height clear to the ring of feathery spires on top. Built over a church dating from the city’s foundation in 1157, the present building was begun in 1283, and took two centuries to complete. Traffic swishes past the elaborate main portal, featuring a tympanum with the Last Judgment.

The vast interior is impressive, especially with the atmosphere done by the stained Art Nouveau glasses. Magnificent. Saints and Martires hurt to death by arrows, soldiers wearing seducing boots.