The Historisches Kaufhaus, or Historical Merchants' Hall, is the deep red building on the south side of Freiburg's Münsterplatz, facing the Minster. Built in the early 16th century as the city's customs and trading house, it carries statues of four Habsburg rulers on its facade, a reminder that Freiburg belonged to Austria for centuries.
The Historisches Kaufhaus at a glance
- Where: Münsterplatz 24, on the south side of the square opposite Freiburg Minster.
- Built: 1520–1532, extending an older merchants' house first recorded in 1378.
- By: probably Lienhart Müller, master builder of the Minster; sculptures by Hans Sixt von Staufen.
- What it is today: a venue for concerts, readings, receptions and events; the interior is open only during events.
- Time needed: 10–15 minutes outside.
From customs house to parliament and concert hall
In the 14th century trade through Freiburg was booming, and the city needed a place to store goods, weigh them and collect customs duties without clogging up the town gates. A municipal merchants' house is first mentioned in 1378. Between about 1520 and 1532 it was extended so that its new front faced the market square in front of the Minster, and this is the building you see today. Freiburg was then a Habsburg town, part of Further Austria, which explains the imperial figures on the facade.
The building has been repaired and altered many times: after bombardment during the siege of 1744, again in the 19th century, and in a major renovation in 1988. After the Second World War it briefly played a political role. In 1946–1947 it housed the assembly that drafted a constitution for the state of Baden, and from 1947 to 1951 it served as the parliament building of South Baden, before the creation of Baden-Württemberg. Today it is run as an event venue, with the Kaisersaal, the Kaminsaal and a small Rococo room.
What to look for
- The four statues under canopies between the windows: Emperor Maximilian I, his son Philip I of Castile, and his grandsons Charles V and Ferdinand I. They are copies; the originals are kept indoors.
- The coats of arms beneath the bay windows, showing the territories ruled by the Habsburgs, and the Habsburg crest above.
- The two polygonal bay windows with colourful glazed tiles, flanking the late Gothic windows.
- The arcade of four arches at street level with the balcony above, added in 1550.
- The steep roof with two attic levels and stepped gables, best seen from the far side of the square.
The Kaisersaal and its oak columns
The main hall upstairs, the Kaisersaal, is known for its massive oak columns, a painted stucco ceiling and portraits of Habsburg rulers such as Maria Theresa. Despite those portraits, its name is said to come from a later emperor: Wilhelm I of Germany dined here in 1876, when Freiburg's victory monument was inaugurated. You can only see the hall during concerts or other events, so look out for listings if you want to go inside.
Tips for your visit
- Visit in the morning, when the farmers' market fills the Münsterplatz around the Minster (it does not run on Sundays).
- For the best photo, stand by the Minster and take in the whole facade, roof and gables at once.
- Check the events calendar if you want to see the halls inside; they are not open as a museum.
- The inner courtyard hosts open-air events such as the Freiburger Weinkost wine tasting.
Nearby
- Freiburg Minster: the Gothic cathedral across the square, with a tower you can climb for views over the old town.
- Wentzingerhaus: a Baroque townhouse on the same square, home to the city history museum.
- Old Town Hall: the red-painted Renaissance town hall on Rathausplatz, a few minutes' walk away.
- Schwabentor: one of the two surviving medieval city gates, at the edge of the old town.
See Freiburg with World City Trail
Our Freiburg scavenger hunt turns the old town into a game you play on your phone. The route links 10 stops and takes around two hours, with about 24 minutes of walking. It includes places such as Freiburg Minster, the Old Town Hall and the Schwabentor.
If you prefer a different format, Freiburg also has a self-guided walking tour and an outdoor escape game.
Play the Freiburg scavenger hunt →
Take the self-guided walking tour of Freiburg →
Play the outdoor escape game in Freiburg →
Facts checked in October 2026.