15 March 2023
No Italian team has ever played at Freiburg, so let's find out something more about the area that will host Juve's Europa League last 16 second leg.
Freiburg im Breisgau is situated in the Breisgau region on the western edge of the Black Forest in the Upper Rhine Plain. With a population of approximately 230 thousand, Freiburg is the fourth-largest city in Baden-Württemberg, the third most important German state by area and population.
Freiburg was founded in 1120 as a free market town and became one the richest in Europe in the 14th century due to silver mining in the surrounding mountains. The unversity city has since developed into a cultural centre for arts and sciences as well as a tourist hub.
SIGHTSEEING
Freiburg's history can be glimpsed in the city’s historic buildings and narrow streets. The medieval Swabian Gate and the Freiburg Cathedral contrast the city’s more modern architecture. The spire of cathedral, which took over 300 years to build, was the first in the history of Gothic architecture built in an open lattice structure.
Boasting one of Germany's warmest climates, Freiburg attracts a lot of visitors intent on making the most of the nearby Black Forest. Nature and sports enthusiasts flock to the area for the mountain bike trails, hikes and gourmet tours through wine villages.
There is also the longest cable car ride in Germany, at 3.6 kilometres, which runs from the village Günterstal up to the nearby mountain, Schauinsland.
THE STADIUM
Just like Juventus, SC Freiburg undertook the task of building a new stadium. Construction began in November 2018 and was completed in October 2021.
The Europa-Park Stadion has a capacity of 34 700 and was designed with the intention of reproducing the special feel of the old Schwarzwald Stadion. The aim was to build a welcoming and accessible stadium open to all, reflected in the high percentage (36%) of standing capacity.
In fact, the emotional home of stadium is the south stand, where 8 000 standing fans urge on the team.
