Breisach am Rhein (Germany)

Breisach am Rhein (formerly Altbreisach) is a city with around 16,500 inhabitants, located along the Rhine River in the Rhine Valley, in district Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald district, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, halfway between Colmar and Freiburg, 20 km away from each, and 60 km north of Basel close to Kaiserstuhl. A bridge leads over Rhine to Neuf-Brisach, Alsace.

The name of Breisach is Celtic and is translated as "breakwater". Construction on the cathedral in Breisach, St. Stephansmünster, started in the early 13th century. In the 16th century, Breisach was a stronghold of the Holy Roman Empire. 85% of Breisach am Rhein was destroyed during World War II by Allied artillery while crossing the Rhine. St. Stephansmünster was heavily damaged. In 1969, the town was considered as construction site for nuclear power plant. However, Wyhl was chosen instead, but the construction project was abandoned in the face of opposition.