Breisach am Rhein (Germany Baden-Wurttemberg)

Breisach am Rhein (fka Altbreisach) is a Rhine River cruise port and city in Germany's Baden-Wurttemberg state (Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald district) with population around 17,000. Breisach is located halfway between Colmar and Freiburg im Breisgau (approx 20 km / 12 mi away from each) and approx 60 km (37 mi) north of Basel, close to Kaiserstuhl (Emperor's Chair hills). A bridge over Rhine connects to Neuf-Brisach (Alsace France).

On bus excursions from Breisach, cruise tourists may also visit Schonau im Schwarzwald (Lorrach district) in the Black Forest. Schonau is approx 35 km (22 mi) northeast of Basel and approx 23 km (14 mi) south of Freiburg im Breisgau.

The name of Breisach is Celtic and is translated as "breakwater". In the 16th century, the town became a stronghold of the Holy Roman Empire (800-1806 AD). In the 17th-18th-centuries the town was part of France, the Holy Roman Empire and Vorderosterreich/Outer Austria (1278-1805/Territory of the Habsburg Monarchy and the Austrian Empire), until 1805 when was annexed to Grossherzogtum Baden/Grand Duchy of Baden (1806-1918).

The current-day municipality was formed via mergers between Breisach and four neighboring towns (Hochstetten, Gundlingen, Niederrimsingen, Grezhausen-Oberrimsingen). Trains link the city with Freiburg (via Gottenheim) and Riegel (via Vogtsburg and Endingen). There are road connections to Lindau and Colmar.

The local economy is largely based on viticulture/wine growing.

Nearly the entire town (85%) was destroyed during WW2 (1939-45) by artillery fire while the Allied forces (mainly Americans) were crossing the Rhine River. St Stephansmunster (13th-century cathedral) was heavily damaged.

In 1969, the town was considered a construction site for nuclear power plant. However, Wyhl was chosen instead, but the construction project was abandoned in the face of opposition.

Freiburg im Breisgau

Freiburg im Breisgau is a major city in Baden-Wurttemberg located in the Breisgau and Baden regions. By population (around 240,000, metro around 660,000) the city is ranked the state's fourth-largest - after Stuttgart, Mannheim, and Karlsruhe. Freiburg is on the Dreisam River (a tributary of the Elz River that empties in the Rhine near Lahr).

Together with Offenburg, Freiburg is the gateway to the Schwarzwald/Black Forest mountain range. Traditionally for Baden, wine-growing and tourism have a major impact on the local economy.

On river cruises, Freiburg is visited on guided tours/bus travel excursions leaving roundtrip from Breisach. Freiburg is included as a complimentary land tour (with food and wine tasting) in Emerald Cruises' 7-day itinerary "Jewels of the Rhine" between Holland and Switzerland.

Emerald's criusetour prices are inclusive of 20 onboard meals, beverages (wine, beer and soft drinks with lunches and dinners), airport transfers (to and from the ship), guided tours, Amsterdam Canal cruising, port taxes and charges, and all gratuities.

Freiburg (translates as free/independent fortified town) was founded in the early 12th century as a Marktgemeinde/Marktstadtchen (free market town) housing mainly servants and craftsmen who received in 1120 market and town rights.

In the 13th-14th centuries, Freiburg grew significantly because of the silver mined from Mount Schauinsland (height 1284 m/4213 ft) providing capital for the city and making it one of the richest in Europe, minting even its own coin (Rappenpfennig). In 1377, four cities (Freiburg, Breisach, Colmar and Basel) entered into a monetary alliance that facilitated trade among them until the 17th century.