L'Hôtel Cantonal de Fribourg - City Hall bears late-Gothic traits.
Perched on a cliff overlooking the Neuveville district, this early 16th-century building - whose imposing silhouette, clock tower and monumental staircase are well known to the people of Fribourg - conceals historical and architectural treasures long inaccessible to the public.
Renovation and conversion work on the Hôtel Cantonal, from 2020 to 2022, has not only revealed the original volumes and structures of the various spaces, it has also helped to uncover hidden treasures, such as a 1531 fresco in the Petit Conseil room.
Initially designed as a grain store, the building housed all the political, judicial and military authorities before finding its current function as the center of legislative power. The Grand Council Chamber, preserved in its 18th-century appearance, remains one of our country's oldest parliamentary precincts.
All images are taken from Aloys Lauper and Fabien Python (eds.), L'Hôtel cantonal de Fribourg (1522-2022), Fribourg, Service des biens culturels, 2022.
Hôtel Cantonal de Fribourg
Secrétariat du Grand Conseil SGC
Place de l'Hôtel-de-ville 2
1700 Fribourg
+41 26 305 10 50