Header Logo
Friedrichsbau Lichtspiele
(573 Reviews)

Freiburg im Breisgau

Kaiser-Joseph-Straße 268/270, 79098 Freiburg im Breisgau, Deutschland

Friedrichsbau Lichtspiele | Program & Tickets

The Friedrichsbau Lichtspiele is one of the most well-known arthouse addresses in Freiburg im Breisgau. Since 1911, the building has shaped Kaiser-Joseph-Straße and combines historical cinema culture with a carefully curated program. Those looking for photos of Friedrichsbau Lichtspiele will primarily find impressions of a house that connects a renovated foyer, stylish halls, and a clear city center character. Today, the cinema is not only a place for film screenings but also for sneak previews, children's cinema, documentaries, premieres, and series that consciously think outside the mainstream. With four halls, a central location, and a profile that brings together tradition and the present, Friedrichsbau remains a staple for cinema fans who want to not just consume films but experience them. ([friedrichsbau-kino.de](https://friedrichsbau-kino.de/unsere-kinos/friedrichsbau/))

Current Program, Sneaks, and Film Series

The program of the Friedrichsbau Lichtspiele is clearly focused on diversity and discovery. On the official program page, screenings can be filtered by Today, Tomorrow, This Week, and Weekend, as well as by cinema, language version, and film type. This structure makes it easy to find the right film, as the offerings can be sorted not only by time but also by content interests. The selection includes premieres, queer film nights, family films, documentaries, the Friedrichsbau sneak preview, adventure children's cinema, and MET-Live. So, anyone looking for a classic cinema visit will find much more than just the next blockbuster here. The Friedrichsbau is a place where curated film art is made visible and planable. ([friedrichsbau-kino.de](https://friedrichsbau-kino.de/programm/?utm_source=openai))

Particularly defining are the recurring series that give the cinema its own profile. According to the official description, Friedrichsbau is a place where documentaries, children's cinema, the French Film Week, Cinema! Italia!, the biweekly Friedrichsbau sneak preview, and the monthly Wednesday Nite at the Movies with Rolf Luchs feel at home. Additionally, the Freiburg independent cinemas Friedrichsbau, Harmonie, and Kandelhof together represent a particularly strong annual program, showing over 500 films per year. This explains why the house is more than just a cinema for many Freiburg residents: It is a reliable address for film discussions, premiere atmosphere, thematic series, and a selection that consciously focuses on quality and diversity. ([friedrichsbau-kino.de](https://friedrichsbau-kino.de/unsere-kinos/friedrichsbau/))

Directions, Holzmarkt, and Parking

The location is one of the greatest advantages of Friedrichsbau. The cinema is located at Kaiser-Joseph-Straße 268-270 in Freiburg's city center, between Martinstor and Dreisam. This places it right in the urban everyday life, easily visible and very easy to find. For visitors arriving by bus or train, the Bertholdsbrunnen stop is about a three-minute walk away. Even closer is the Holzmarkt stop: Lines 2 and 3 stop directly in front of the entrance. So, anyone coming from other parts of Freiburg can reach the cinema without detours and without a long walk. The central location also ensures that a cinema visit can be easily combined with a city stroll, a restaurant visit, or a detour into the old town. ([friedrichsbau-kino.de](https://friedrichsbau-kino.de/service/anfahrt/))

For drivers, the journey is also well planned if one considers the city center logic. The official directions mention two parking garages in direct proximity that are about a three-minute walk away and located on Rempartstraße. This is not a large square with huge areas but a classic city center cinema with the advantage of short distances. That is why the view on the approach is important: tram and bus are the most relaxed option, while parking garages are a solid alternative. It is also practical that the box office at Friedrichsbau opens 20 minutes before the start of the first screening. So, anyone planning their visit precisely should best use the central location, public transport, and the short walk as part of the cinema experience itself. ([friedrichsbau-kino.de](https://friedrichsbau-kino.de/service/anfahrt/))

Halls, Seats, and Hall Plan

The Friedrichsbau is today a multi-screen house with four differently sized screening rooms. According to the official house description, there are halls with 270, 140, 38, and 28 seats. This results in a total capacity of 476 seats. The largest hall is located in the basement, while Apollo 1 has 140 seats on the ground floor. This division shows how flexibly the cinema can respond to different film formats and audience sizes. Larger evening screenings, special premieres, or events thus find a suitable framework just as much as smaller, concentrated film dates. For an arthouse cinema, this mixture is ideal because it combines intimacy and reach. So, anyone looking for a hall plan will find not only rows of seats but a spatially differentiated cinema that is prepared for different program types. ([friedrichsbau-kino.de](https://friedrichsbau-kino.de/unsere-kinos/friedrichsbau/))

It is also important to handle the hall plan practically. On the barrier-free access page, the cinema points out that one should check online or by phone on the day of the screening which hall the desired film is in, as last-minute hall changes are possible. This is particularly useful for those who are specifically looking for seats or want to sit together with several people. The online ticketing display uses wheelchair symbols and color markings, making the seat selection more understandable in advance. In the largest hall, a short film is also shown before each evening screening. This small program tradition is part of the character of the house and makes the cinema visit a complete experience rather than just a screening without context. Especially in a traditional location like Friedrichsbau, such details are part of the atmosphere. ([friedrichsbau-kino.de](https://friedrichsbau-kino.de/service/barrierefreier-zugang/))

Accessibility at Friedrichsbau

The accessibility of Friedrichsbau is differentiated and therefore very important for planning. On the official access page, it states that only Apollo 1 and Apollo 2 on the ground floor are accessible for wheelchair users. There is a mobile ramp for the step at the entrance of the foyer, which the staff sets up upon request. Wheelchair spaces are indicated in online ticketing with a wheelchair symbol and a different color in the hall plan. This means: the visit is possible but should be prepared with a quick look at the specific hall and the specific screening. The house's recommendation is clear: check the hall again on the day itself after the cinema opens, as last-minute changes cannot be completely ruled out. ([friedrichsbau-kino.de](https://friedrichsbau-kino.de/service/barrierefreier-zugang/))

The cinema also openly communicates the limits of its facilities. The toilets at Friedrichsbau are not barrier-free, while the Harmonie has a wheelchair-accessible toilet. For companions of wheelchair users, a free ticket is available at the box office upon presentation of the disability ID with the B mark. There are also helpful notes for visually and hearing-impaired guests: the cinema shows non-German films at least once in the original version with German subtitles, and for selected screenings, the Greta-&-Starks app is available for subtitles and audio description. This shows that Friedrichsbau is a house that takes accessibility seriously, provides transparent information, and yet openly states where improvements are needed. ([friedrichsbau-kino.de](https://friedrichsbau-kino.de/service/barrierefreier-zugang/))

History since 1911 and the Profile as an Arthouse Cinema

The history of Friedrichsbau Lichtspiele is one of the strongest reasons for the special impact of this place. The cinema opened on Easter Sunday, April 16, 1911. According to the official house description, it is one of the five oldest cinemas in Germany that still date back to the founding era. This historical classification makes it clear that Friedrichsbau is not an interchangeable venue but a piece of living cinema history. The development of the house also reflects the change in the medium itself: the ground-level hall was converted into the balcony of the newly added Friedrichsbau hall in the basement in 1929. In 1971, it became the Apollo Studio, today known as Apollo 1. In 1980 and 1983, Apollo 2 and Apollo 3 were added. Thus, over the decades, a single hall has become a multifaceted cinema ensemble. ([friedrichsbau-kino.de](https://friedrichsbau-kino.de/unsere-kinos/friedrichsbau/))

Since 1998, Friedrichsbau has been operated by Michael Wiedemann as an arthouse cinema, focusing on demanding film art from around the world. In 2012, Ludwig Ammann and Michael Isele took over the cinemas Friedrichsbau, Harmonie, and Kandelhof with their Freiburg arthouse film distribution company KOOL Filmdistribution. In the summer of 2024, the ventilation and foyer of Friedrichsbau were renovated so that the house can shine in new splendor. Additionally, it received an award at the Baden-Württemberg cinema awards for an outstanding annual film program in 2024. The result is a cinema that consciously combines historical flair and modern technology. Those sitting there not only feel the film but also the continuity of a house that has been placing cultural relevance for over a century. ([friedrichsbau-kino.de](https://friedrichsbau-kino.de/unsere-kinos/friedrichsbau/))

Tickets, Prices, Vouchers, and Practical Tips

For tickets, Friedrichsbau follows a clear and transparent model. The box office at Friedrichsbau opens 20 minutes before the start of the first screening, and reservations are not accepted by phone or email. The regular ticket price is 10.50 euros. On cinema Tuesday, all cinemas in the chain charge 8.00 euros, and everyone under 25 pays 7.50 euros. Additionally, there are discounts for Cinecard holders, who receive a 12 percent discount, as well as the Cineville subscription starting at 20 euros per month. This structure shows: the house is not just any multiplex but a cinema with consciously designed conditions that consider regular guests, young visitors, and frequent viewers. Those who come spontaneously should keep an eye on the box office opening hours and prepare early for the desired film. ([friedrichsbau-kino.de](https://friedrichsbau-kino.de/service/eintrittspreise/))

Additionally, the cinema offers its own series and service points that make the visit pleasant. The adventure children's cinema runs on weekends in the afternoon and costs only 3.00 euros for children and their companions. Value vouchers can be redeemed online and at the box office and are even sold at the Chocolaterie Kaiser-Joseph-Str. 265 across from Friedrichsbau or at the grocery store Daria in the passage if the cinema box office is still closed. The operator of the website and the cinemas is Friedrichsbau-Lichtspiele GmbH & Co. KG, based at Kaiser-Joseph-Straße 268-270. So, anyone looking for Friedrichsbau Lichtspiele GmbH & Co. KG will find the official company structure here. Practically, one thing remains: come early, check the program, choose the right series, and experience the cinema as part of Freiburg's city center life. ([friedrichsbau-kino.de](https://friedrichsbau-kino.de/filmreihen/abenteuer-kinderkino/))

Sources:

Show more

Friedrichsbau Lichtspiele | Program & Tickets

The Friedrichsbau Lichtspiele is one of the most well-known arthouse addresses in Freiburg im Breisgau. Since 1911, the building has shaped Kaiser-Joseph-Straße and combines historical cinema culture with a carefully curated program. Those looking for photos of Friedrichsbau Lichtspiele will primarily find impressions of a house that connects a renovated foyer, stylish halls, and a clear city center character. Today, the cinema is not only a place for film screenings but also for sneak previews, children's cinema, documentaries, premieres, and series that consciously think outside the mainstream. With four halls, a central location, and a profile that brings together tradition and the present, Friedrichsbau remains a staple for cinema fans who want to not just consume films but experience them. ([friedrichsbau-kino.de](https://friedrichsbau-kino.de/unsere-kinos/friedrichsbau/))

Current Program, Sneaks, and Film Series

The program of the Friedrichsbau Lichtspiele is clearly focused on diversity and discovery. On the official program page, screenings can be filtered by Today, Tomorrow, This Week, and Weekend, as well as by cinema, language version, and film type. This structure makes it easy to find the right film, as the offerings can be sorted not only by time but also by content interests. The selection includes premieres, queer film nights, family films, documentaries, the Friedrichsbau sneak preview, adventure children's cinema, and MET-Live. So, anyone looking for a classic cinema visit will find much more than just the next blockbuster here. The Friedrichsbau is a place where curated film art is made visible and planable. ([friedrichsbau-kino.de](https://friedrichsbau-kino.de/programm/?utm_source=openai))

Particularly defining are the recurring series that give the cinema its own profile. According to the official description, Friedrichsbau is a place where documentaries, children's cinema, the French Film Week, Cinema! Italia!, the biweekly Friedrichsbau sneak preview, and the monthly Wednesday Nite at the Movies with Rolf Luchs feel at home. Additionally, the Freiburg independent cinemas Friedrichsbau, Harmonie, and Kandelhof together represent a particularly strong annual program, showing over 500 films per year. This explains why the house is more than just a cinema for many Freiburg residents: It is a reliable address for film discussions, premiere atmosphere, thematic series, and a selection that consciously focuses on quality and diversity. ([friedrichsbau-kino.de](https://friedrichsbau-kino.de/unsere-kinos/friedrichsbau/))

Directions, Holzmarkt, and Parking

The location is one of the greatest advantages of Friedrichsbau. The cinema is located at Kaiser-Joseph-Straße 268-270 in Freiburg's city center, between Martinstor and Dreisam. This places it right in the urban everyday life, easily visible and very easy to find. For visitors arriving by bus or train, the Bertholdsbrunnen stop is about a three-minute walk away. Even closer is the Holzmarkt stop: Lines 2 and 3 stop directly in front of the entrance. So, anyone coming from other parts of Freiburg can reach the cinema without detours and without a long walk. The central location also ensures that a cinema visit can be easily combined with a city stroll, a restaurant visit, or a detour into the old town. ([friedrichsbau-kino.de](https://friedrichsbau-kino.de/service/anfahrt/))

For drivers, the journey is also well planned if one considers the city center logic. The official directions mention two parking garages in direct proximity that are about a three-minute walk away and located on Rempartstraße. This is not a large square with huge areas but a classic city center cinema with the advantage of short distances. That is why the view on the approach is important: tram and bus are the most relaxed option, while parking garages are a solid alternative. It is also practical that the box office at Friedrichsbau opens 20 minutes before the start of the first screening. So, anyone planning their visit precisely should best use the central location, public transport, and the short walk as part of the cinema experience itself. ([friedrichsbau-kino.de](https://friedrichsbau-kino.de/service/anfahrt/))

Halls, Seats, and Hall Plan

The Friedrichsbau is today a multi-screen house with four differently sized screening rooms. According to the official house description, there are halls with 270, 140, 38, and 28 seats. This results in a total capacity of 476 seats. The largest hall is located in the basement, while Apollo 1 has 140 seats on the ground floor. This division shows how flexibly the cinema can respond to different film formats and audience sizes. Larger evening screenings, special premieres, or events thus find a suitable framework just as much as smaller, concentrated film dates. For an arthouse cinema, this mixture is ideal because it combines intimacy and reach. So, anyone looking for a hall plan will find not only rows of seats but a spatially differentiated cinema that is prepared for different program types. ([friedrichsbau-kino.de](https://friedrichsbau-kino.de/unsere-kinos/friedrichsbau/))

It is also important to handle the hall plan practically. On the barrier-free access page, the cinema points out that one should check online or by phone on the day of the screening which hall the desired film is in, as last-minute hall changes are possible. This is particularly useful for those who are specifically looking for seats or want to sit together with several people. The online ticketing display uses wheelchair symbols and color markings, making the seat selection more understandable in advance. In the largest hall, a short film is also shown before each evening screening. This small program tradition is part of the character of the house and makes the cinema visit a complete experience rather than just a screening without context. Especially in a traditional location like Friedrichsbau, such details are part of the atmosphere. ([friedrichsbau-kino.de](https://friedrichsbau-kino.de/service/barrierefreier-zugang/))

Accessibility at Friedrichsbau

The accessibility of Friedrichsbau is differentiated and therefore very important for planning. On the official access page, it states that only Apollo 1 and Apollo 2 on the ground floor are accessible for wheelchair users. There is a mobile ramp for the step at the entrance of the foyer, which the staff sets up upon request. Wheelchair spaces are indicated in online ticketing with a wheelchair symbol and a different color in the hall plan. This means: the visit is possible but should be prepared with a quick look at the specific hall and the specific screening. The house's recommendation is clear: check the hall again on the day itself after the cinema opens, as last-minute changes cannot be completely ruled out. ([friedrichsbau-kino.de](https://friedrichsbau-kino.de/service/barrierefreier-zugang/))

The cinema also openly communicates the limits of its facilities. The toilets at Friedrichsbau are not barrier-free, while the Harmonie has a wheelchair-accessible toilet. For companions of wheelchair users, a free ticket is available at the box office upon presentation of the disability ID with the B mark. There are also helpful notes for visually and hearing-impaired guests: the cinema shows non-German films at least once in the original version with German subtitles, and for selected screenings, the Greta-&-Starks app is available for subtitles and audio description. This shows that Friedrichsbau is a house that takes accessibility seriously, provides transparent information, and yet openly states where improvements are needed. ([friedrichsbau-kino.de](https://friedrichsbau-kino.de/service/barrierefreier-zugang/))

History since 1911 and the Profile as an Arthouse Cinema

The history of Friedrichsbau Lichtspiele is one of the strongest reasons for the special impact of this place. The cinema opened on Easter Sunday, April 16, 1911. According to the official house description, it is one of the five oldest cinemas in Germany that still date back to the founding era. This historical classification makes it clear that Friedrichsbau is not an interchangeable venue but a piece of living cinema history. The development of the house also reflects the change in the medium itself: the ground-level hall was converted into the balcony of the newly added Friedrichsbau hall in the basement in 1929. In 1971, it became the Apollo Studio, today known as Apollo 1. In 1980 and 1983, Apollo 2 and Apollo 3 were added. Thus, over the decades, a single hall has become a multifaceted cinema ensemble. ([friedrichsbau-kino.de](https://friedrichsbau-kino.de/unsere-kinos/friedrichsbau/))

Since 1998, Friedrichsbau has been operated by Michael Wiedemann as an arthouse cinema, focusing on demanding film art from around the world. In 2012, Ludwig Ammann and Michael Isele took over the cinemas Friedrichsbau, Harmonie, and Kandelhof with their Freiburg arthouse film distribution company KOOL Filmdistribution. In the summer of 2024, the ventilation and foyer of Friedrichsbau were renovated so that the house can shine in new splendor. Additionally, it received an award at the Baden-Württemberg cinema awards for an outstanding annual film program in 2024. The result is a cinema that consciously combines historical flair and modern technology. Those sitting there not only feel the film but also the continuity of a house that has been placing cultural relevance for over a century. ([friedrichsbau-kino.de](https://friedrichsbau-kino.de/unsere-kinos/friedrichsbau/))

Tickets, Prices, Vouchers, and Practical Tips

For tickets, Friedrichsbau follows a clear and transparent model. The box office at Friedrichsbau opens 20 minutes before the start of the first screening, and reservations are not accepted by phone or email. The regular ticket price is 10.50 euros. On cinema Tuesday, all cinemas in the chain charge 8.00 euros, and everyone under 25 pays 7.50 euros. Additionally, there are discounts for Cinecard holders, who receive a 12 percent discount, as well as the Cineville subscription starting at 20 euros per month. This structure shows: the house is not just any multiplex but a cinema with consciously designed conditions that consider regular guests, young visitors, and frequent viewers. Those who come spontaneously should keep an eye on the box office opening hours and prepare early for the desired film. ([friedrichsbau-kino.de](https://friedrichsbau-kino.de/service/eintrittspreise/))

Additionally, the cinema offers its own series and service points that make the visit pleasant. The adventure children's cinema runs on weekends in the afternoon and costs only 3.00 euros for children and their companions. Value vouchers can be redeemed online and at the box office and are even sold at the Chocolaterie Kaiser-Joseph-Str. 265 across from Friedrichsbau or at the grocery store Daria in the passage if the cinema box office is still closed. The operator of the website and the cinemas is Friedrichsbau-Lichtspiele GmbH & Co. KG, based at Kaiser-Joseph-Straße 268-270. So, anyone looking for Friedrichsbau Lichtspiele GmbH & Co. KG will find the official company structure here. Practically, one thing remains: come early, check the program, choose the right series, and experience the cinema as part of Freiburg's city center life. ([friedrichsbau-kino.de](https://friedrichsbau-kino.de/filmreihen/abenteuer-kinderkino/))

Sources:

Upcoming Events

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviews

No reviews found