Breisach

Town in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, on a hill overlooking the River Rhine, 25 km/15 mi west of Freiburg im Breisgau; population (1994) 11,800. The centre of the Baden wine-growing region, Breisach contains Europe's largest wine cellars, with a capacity of 80 million litres.

Breisach's commanding position has made it ideal as a fortified settlement since Roman times, and in the Middle Ages, it was an important stronghold. Opposite the town, on the French bank of the Rhine, stands the fortress of Neuf-Brisach, built by Louis XIV.