Breisach's Gate

Breisach's Gate is a 17th-century city gate in Freiburg im Breisgau, located at the intersection of Rempartstraße and Gartenstraße. It features a triangular gable and a central vertical accent on its third story, with a restaurant occupying the ground floor and university seminar spaces housed in the upper levels.

The gate was built in 1677 as part of fortifications designed by French military engineer Vauban for Freiburg. It is the sole surviving structure from that entire defensive system, retaining its original name from that period, Porte Saint-Martin.

The gate takes its name from the nearby town of Breisach and serves as a recognizable landmark in the heart of the old town. Visitors and locals use the square behind it as a gathering space, especially during warmer months.

The square at the gate provides space to walk through and linger, and is easily accessible on foot from the city center. A restaurant on the ground floor offers seating options, and the surrounding streets connect to regular pedestrian routes through the old town.

A small water channel called Bächle runs through the square behind the gate and was added during renovations in 1989. This traditional city feature now flows unobtrusively through the public space, creating a gentle connection to the natural surroundings.