The Gothic cathedral of Saint-Nicolas dominates the upper town of Fribourg, its 76-metre tower visible for miles across the plateau. Construction began in the 13th century and continued in stages for two hundred years — the result is a coherent but not entirely uniform building, with Romanesque foundations and a Gothic superstructure that reflects the long process of building.
Inside, the stained-glass windows are the main attraction: a set of 20th-century windows by Swiss artist Józef Mehoffer fills the choir with intense blues and yellows, and the organ concerts held regularly in the cathedral are excellent. Climb the tower for panoramic views over the old town, the Sarine valley, and the Alps on a clear day.