Ueberstorf can be explored from two perspectives: by following the local circular walking trails or by discovering its architectural and church history. The trails differ in their stated focus; churches, chapels and historic residential buildings tell stories of different periods. You can tailor your trip to what interests you most.
Circular Walking Trails with Different Focuses
Five local circular walking trails were officially opened on 9 May 2019. The Ggùgg i d Wytti route offers views from the Höhi. Chomm zue dr takes you on a circular walk through the village and Birchwald and includes a barefoot path. These are two clearly distinct themes: a trail with views and a circular walk that takes in the village and forest.
The other trail descriptions also have their own focus. Loss d Natur leads through the Ledeu Valley, while Lùùf drùf los takes you to the hamlets in the municipality of Ueberstorf. If you would like to choose a route based on its stated destination, you can compare these focuses: views from the Höhi, the village and Birchwald, the Ledeu Valley or the municipality’s hamlets. No walking times or distances are provided; plan your time according to the route that suits you and the information available locally.
Printed maps of the five walking trails are available from the municipal administration; an electronic version can be downloaded. Check the local route status before setting out. The maps provide a basis for distinguishing between the trail names and their different destinations when planning.
Landscape and Elevation
Ueberstorf lies at about 658 metres above sea level, 13 kilometres east-northeast of Fribourg as the crow flies. The municipality extends across a plateau of the Molasse Plateau that slopes gently to the northwest. The Sense River valley lies to the east and the Tafersbach valley, also known as Taverna, to the west. At the edge is the formerly marshy lowland of Moos.
The elevations provide further context for the landscape: the highest point in the local terrain is on the Höhi at 818 metres above sea level; the undulating hills average about 650 metres. The Moos land depression lies in the southwest of the municipality. It is about 500 metres wide and two kilometres long. The lowland was originally a marsh and has now been drained. This helps place the plateau, the prominent high point and the lower depression as distinct features of the municipality’s landscape.
Churches, Chapels and Architectural History
The parish church of John the Baptist in Ueberstorf is first mentioned in 1226. The Hostettle Chapel has had its present form since 1844 and is dedicated to the Fourteen Holy Helpers. Above its entrance is a picture painted on wood depicting Saints Ursula, John and Mary. It commemorates the wedding of Hans de Gottrau and Ursula Englisberg in 1590. The chapel thus connects its present form with a painting whose link to local history reaches back to the 16th century.
The Magnus Chapel in Obermettlen was consecrated by Bishop Strambino in 1672. The chapel contains an altar dating from the second half of the 18th century. Englisberg Castle, meanwhile, was built by Dietrich von Englisberg at the beginning of the 16th century: the large building has a hipped gable roof. The castle is of exceptional architectural-historical significance. It was built according to a clearly recognizable plan in the spirit of the emerging Renaissance, with military considerations not being decisive.
Ratzé Castle – Reyff Castle dates from the late 16th century. Its described architectural features include a timber-framed section with two coats of arms, a stair tower and a residential wing set at right angles. The Techtermann House reflects a different purpose: it was built in the second half of the 18th century as a summer residence, is set in an orchard and is considered an art-historically valuable example of an 18th-century country house in the French style. These buildings therefore offer different points of interest for anyone interested in architectural forms, uses and periods.
Summer Services and Advent Season
The Lourdes Grotto is a popular place for quiet reflection and prayer. Services are held there regularly during the summer months; if you would like to attend a service, check the dates in advance. Another recurring event takes place in December: the municipality of Ueberstorf offers a special Advent calendar every year. These seasonal highlights thus differ clearly from the landscape and architectural-history themes described throughout the year.
Discover more travel destinations: Plasselb, Schmitten, Oberschrot, St. Ursen, Tafers, Bösingen, Schwarzsee, Saint Antoni.
Return to the main travel overview: Sense.
