Breisach's history dates back over 4000 years as the seat of a Celtic principality. In the 17th and 18th centuries, Breisach was one of Europe's most important and strongest fortified cities but the city was almost completely destroyed by the French in 1793 and again at the end of WWII. This was the first city where its citizens were in favor of forming a united Europe.
There's quite a bit to see in Breisach. Pick up a map from the ship's reception and take one of 3 walking tours: the Lower City Tour, the Munsterberg Tour or the Fortification Tour.
The ship docked close to the center of town. As you leave the ship, you can see St .Stephan's Minster on the top of a hill. It was built between the 12th and 15th centuries.
As you walk through town towards the Minster, you'll pass charming cobblestoned streets.
Follow the signs to the Hagenbachturn--the Hagenbach Tower. It was a former prison.
A Memorial for returnees and victims of war, erected in 1955. This stands where the Shipper's Guild House once was.
The Rathaus--Town Hall.
Interesting sculpture near the Rathaus. It featured a bull with a female figure standing on top.
St. Stephan's Minster
Breisach is on one of the routes of the Camino de Santiago.
Pfarrhaus or Clergy House stands near the Minster.
The Tulla Tower at the end of the street is part of the Breisach Theatre Festival . The lookout tower was built in 1874.
The outdoor stage.
The Blue House was the former Jewish Community Center.
The Kupfertor consists of 2 towers that you can walk through and a wooden bridge that spans the two. It formed part of Breisach's fortification.
The Juggler's Fountain, a reference to the Breisach juggler and the Traber family of artists who lived in this city.
A sculpture made from the wooden columns from the old Rhine Bridge from 1500. It sits near the Rhine Gate.
The Rhine Gate was built in 1678 to protect the Rhine Bridge. It now houses the Museum of City History.
The Kapftor (Gate with Lovely View)
The Notre Dame Monastery is now an elementary school.
The Pforrhaus was built in 1511 by the patrician Pforr family. It was one of the city's most magnificent secular buildings.
The Red Cup was the Drinking Lounge of the Guild of Gentlemen from 1499 to 1793.
The Gutgesell Gate was erected in 1402.and named after the Gutgesell family of watchmen.
The other side of the Gutgesell Gate.
Rheinstrasse
Admire the beautiful building signs.
The Piper King stands on the corner of a house. It is a character from the Middle Ages Breisach carnival.
New Gate Place and the old city wall.
Vineyards can be found near the old city wall.
St.Martin's Hospital Church from the 17th & 18th century is now an event and concert room.
From here, we had circled the town and it was time to return to the ship.
2022 07 21
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