Fritzlar is a lovely town of 14,000 residents tucked away in the heart of Hesse. It offers visitors something increasingly rare in our modern world: an authentic journey through time that doesn't feel like a tourist trap.
Fritzlar was founded by the legendary St Boniface in 724, and its cobblestone streets have seen more than a millennium of history, from holy pilgrimages to imperial declarations.
But, unlike a lot of other historic European places, this former Imperial City has a cosy, lived-in feel that makes visitors feel like they're locals for a while, not just tourists.
A view of Fritzlar
As you explore the city, you'll see why Fritzlar is a great addition to any German itinerary. You can admire the impressive St Peter's Cathedral or enjoy a coffee in the timber-framed market square.
In this guide, we'll take a look at the top sights that make Fritzlar a great destination for history fans, architecture lovers and travellers looking to venture beyond Germany's usual tourist trail.
Fritzlar is located in the northern part of the state of Hesse, about 160 kilometres north of Frankfurt. The town is located in the Eder valley, where the Eder river flows through a fertile lowland. The nearest major city is Kassel, some 30 kilometres to the north.
The location is strategic - it's at the crossroads of several historic trade routes that were used in medieval times. The town sits on a hill above the river, which made it easily defensible in earlier centuries. Today this elevation offers good views of the surrounding countryside.
Fritzlar has a population of around 14,000 and acts as a regional centre for the smaller villages around it.
Kassel Airport is actually the closest international airport to the town of Fritzlar, but the small airport only serves summer sun holiday destinations.
Distance to Kassel-Calden Airport: 38km
Distance to Frankfurt Airport: 166km
Distance to Hannover Airport: 174km
Distance to Cologne Bonn Airport: 181km
Frankfurt Airport is the busiest airport in Germany and offers the widest range of destinations, as well as being easily accessible by rail and motorway.
Hannover Airport and Cologne-Bonn are both medium-sized airports and offer a range of flights to domestic and European destinations.
Fritzlar's train station (Bahnhof Fritzlar) is located to the south of the Eder river, about a 15-minute walk from the historic centre. It is a small station with no InterCity services but with regional train services through to Kassel and Bad Wildungen.
The A49 motorway runs just to the east of Fritzlar and offers easy access to Kassel and connections south to the A5 down to Frankfurt. The B450 heads north towards the A44 motorway and access to Paderborn and Dortmund, while the B253 accesses Bad Wildungen and routes through to the Kellerwald-Edersee National Park.
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Fritzlar's history begins in 723 when St Boniface, an English missionary, felled a sacred oak tree worshipped by the local Germanic tribes. He used the wood to build a chapel, making a bold statement about Christianity replacing pagan beliefs.
The town grew up around a monastery founded by Boniface. Its position on trade routes helped it to become wealthy during the Middle Ages. Many powerful meetings of German rulers took place here. The first German king of the Saxons, Henry I, was elected at Fritzlar.
Fritzlar was an important fortified town during the Middle Ages. Its strong walls and towers protected wealthy merchants and church officials. The town joined the Hanseatic League, a powerful trading network, which brought further prosperity.
The Thirty Years' War (1618-1648) hit Fritzlar hard. The town changed hands several times between Catholic and Protestant forces. Many of the buildings were damaged or destroyed.
Medieval tower and fortifications in Fritzlar
The military importance of the town continued throughout the 1700s and 1800s. It served as a garrison town for various armies. Many soldiers were stationed here, influencing local life and the economy.
The Second World War largely spared Fritzlar. In contrast to many other German towns, its medieval architecture survived. After the war, the town became home to a Luftwaffe aviation base, which is still in operation today.
Modern Fritzlar balances its historic character with contemporary life. The old town centre, with buildings dating from 1200 to 1500, is largely intact. It is a fine example of a German city from the Middle Ages.
St Peter's Cathedral (Dom)
This impressive Romanesque cathedral was built in 1085. The building has distinctive twin towers and contains remarkable medieval stone carvings and religious artwork. The Fritzlar cathedral still serves as the city's main church and is renowned for its excellent acoustics. Regular organ recitals are held here throughout the year.
Statue of St Boniface in front of Fritzlar Cathedral
Market Square (Marktplatz)
The Market Square is the medieval heart of Fritzlar. Well-preserved half-timbered houses from the 15th and 16th centuries surround the square, where market days continue as they have for centuries. Visitors will find several traditional restaurants and cafes in historic buildings around the square.
Grey Tower (Grauer Turm)
This tower is the last remaining part of Fritzlar's medieval defence system. Visitors can enjoy views over the old town from the top. The tower stands as a fine example of medieval military architecture and helps visitors understand how the town was once protected.
City Walls
Large sections of Fritzlar's medieval defences remain intact today. Visitors can walk along parts of the walls, which offer excellent views of the town and photographic opportunities. The walls help to illustrate how the medieval town was defended.
Cathedral Museum (Dommuseum)
The Cathedral Museum is housed in the former Cathedral Treasury and displays religious artefacts, ecclesiastical treasures and medieval art related to the history of the Cathedral. The collection helps visitors understand the importance of the cathedral throughout the centuries.
Stadtmuseum
This museum in one of the finest timbered houses presents the local history of Fritzlar from Roman times to the present day. Visitors can examine archaeological finds and learn about town life through the centuries through well-curated exhibits.
Fritzlar lies on the German Fairytale Route, a 600 kilometre tourist trail that runs from Hanau to Bremen. The route links towns and places associated with the Brothers Grimm and their fairy tales.
Although Fritzlar itself doesn't feature directly in any of the Grimm's tales, it is significant for a number of reasons:
The Brothers Grimm lived and worked nearby in Kassel for many years. They conducted research in the Fritzlar area, collecting local folk tales and studying medieval manuscripts in the area's monasteries and churches.
Fountain and timbered houses in Fritzlar
The countryside around Fritzlar, with its medieval architecture and dense forests, reflects the landscape described in many of the Grimm's fairy tales. The half-timbered houses and ancient city walls create an atmosphere similar to the setting of tales such as "Hansel and Gretel" or "Sleeping Beauty".
Visitors to the Fairy Tale Route often stop off in Fritzlar because it offers an authentic medieval setting that helps them to imagine the world in which these stories were created.
The Fritzlar tourist information office is located in one of the historic timber-framed buildings right next to the town hall. It is open six days a week from Monday-Saturday with slightly shorter opening times on the Saturday.
Website: www.fritzlar.de