2026 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship 
A river tamed
The pont de la Motta has remained unchanged since it was built in the 1960s. The bridge which leads to Maigrauge spans the tranquil waters of the Sarine, downstream from the dam. The dam has calmed the natural flow of the river considerably. Also, certain points of the Sarine were much wider, causing significantly higher water levels than the river experiences today. It would be fair to say that not only has Fribourg mastered the art of bridge-building, it has also shown itself to be adept at taming rivers. Today, the city has launched a whole series of projects to restore the natural landscape of the Sarine.
Travellers have been navigating the waters of the Sarine since the Middle Ages. At that time, it served to move people and goods, such as cloth and leather, to regions along the Aare and the Rhine, right up to Alsace, France. As well as having a port, which was situated not far from the pont de Berne, the city had its own boatyard.
In summer, locals love nothing more than going for a refreshing dip in the Sarine. It may not be quite as exhilarating as a swim in the River Aare in Bern or the Rhine in Basel, but a paddle in the Sarine is still a great way to cool off
Not far from the bridge is the famous Motta lido which is as popular now as it was when it opened, back in 1923.
Fribourg Tourisme et Région
Place Jean-Tinguely 1
Case postale 448
1700 Fribourg
+41 26 350 11 11
