City of Basel, Switzerland: Top Attractions, Pre-Visit Tips & Tourist Reviews

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

Basel is the third largest city in Switzerland after Zurich and Geneva. It is located in the north of the country, on the border with France and Germany, on the river Rhine. Basel is famous for its amazing world-class museums, a large carnival, which is not inferior to the Venetian in its scope, and the old city. For tourists, this is a real paradise. In our article we want to talk about what to see in Basel (Switzerland).

A little about the city…

The city of Basel in Switzerland was founded by the Romans in 44 BC. e. in the territory of the Celtic settlement. The first mention of it in written sources dates back to 374. Already in the eighth century, the city became the center of the episcopate, and in the thirteenth century, the first bridge over the Rhine River was erected in it. Basel is developing rapidly as a transport and commercial center. And in 1459, the first university appeared.

Today in Basel (Switzerland) there are a large number of banks, offices, largeshopping centers and transport organizations. It is worth noting that the local river port is the only outlet to the sea for all of Switzerland. The city is home to the first musical theatre, bookstores, numerous art galleries, bars and restaurants. The locals have a habit of holidaying in Germany, shopping in France, and living in Switzerland. This feature has become the object of numerous jokes and stories. Currently, Basel has the status of the most conservative and we althy city in Switzerland, and the locals are very proud of this.

Historically, the Rhine River divided the city into two parts: in the northeast is Little Basel, and in the southwest - Greater Basel, which is the historical center. The Cathedral is also located here, which is considered one of the main attractions of the city.

Basel Zoo

According to tourists, one of the attractions of Basel (Switzerland) is the zoo. It is located in the very center of the city and occupies about 12 hectares. The zoo is a large park area where you can see animals if they want to show themselves to visitors, and not because the enclosures are built in such a way that the animals are in sight. All information about the zoo is written on the board near the entrance to each territory. So, for example, there is an area where you can admire the cubs. Bezel Zoo is beautiful at any time of the year. In spring, you can admire the awakening of nature and look at the babies born.

In the hot summer in the shade of the trees, you can have a great time watching elephants and primates. In winter, it is worth admiring the mysterious coral reefs or the world of the Amazon River in large heated aquariums. In the zoo, photography and video filming is allowed almost throughout the territory. The enclosures here are designed in such a way that you can take great pictures and at the same time fences will not fall into the lens.

Basel City Hall

Another attraction of Basel (Switzerland) is the town hall. The building of the sixteenth century is built of red sandstone. Its facade overlooks the main square of Marktplatz.

In 1290, the city hall was located on this site, which was destroyed by an earthquake in 1356. The archive of the entire city was completely lost. Instead of the old building, the Palace of Lords was rebuilt, in which the city municipality is located. In 1501, Basel became part of the Swiss Confederation. The Grand Council decided to build a town hall building, which was supposed to be connected by a passage to the Palace of Lords.

Construction work began in 1504 and continued for ten years. The Palace of Lords was behind the new building and was also slightly rebuilt. It was equipped with a hall for the Great Council, which was decorated with stunning frescoes. The Palace of Lords is the oldest part of the town hall. In the twentieth century, another wing and a tower were added to the central building. Initially, residents reacted negatively to such innovations. But now they cannot imagine a city without a town hall and its tower.

Puppet Museum

Basel is a city in Switzerland whose sights attract tourists from different countries. Among them, you can find something that will be of interest to you personally. The city is literally filled with various interesting places. Tourists recommend visiting the local doll museum, which is considered the largest museum of this kind in Europe. The total area of the premises is more than 1000 square meters. The old building was built in 1867, so it can be safely classified as a local attraction. The museum consists of four floors with spacious halls. The exposition is so large that it is difficult to see it all at once. Therefore, the administration of the institution has compiled electronic catalogs, which contain information about all the exhibits. The museum contains not only teddy bears and dolls, but also toy houses and utensils related to puppet life. Among the exhibits you can see what our great-grandmothers and great-grandfathers played with.

The collection consists of toys created from the beginning of the nineteenth century to the present day. The first mechanical dolls, various bears in gingerbread houses and even a series of dolls from well-known manufacturers are stored here. All exhibits were collected from different parts of the world or donated by former owners. But there are also toys that were made by order of the museum. Visitors can order a copy of the dolls on display.

City Bridge

The city bridge Mittler Brücke in Basel (Switzerland) has a long history. It was built in 1226 by order of Bishop Henry of Tun. Mostthe old bridge in the city rightfully bears the title of one of the most popular attractions. It was to protect the bridge that the archbishop created the fortified Little Basel.

Mittlere Brucke has an interesting history. Initially, it consisted of two parts - one was wooden, and the second - stone. It is said that this was done due to the fact that the depth of the river near the banks was different from different sides. But according to another version, the bridge was built in such a way that it could be burned down during the war, dividing Greater and Lesser Basel.

For many years the bridge was the only one across the Rhine. The city was actively growing and developing, and therefore there was a need to build new bridges. After the introduction of the tram service in Basel in 1905, the Mittler Brücke had to be rebuilt. And since then it has looked different. On both sides at the base of the bridge are decorated with figures of the famous hooligan king. Here you can also see a copy of a small chapel where death sentences were carried out in the Middle Ages. In that distant era, it was believed that a woman thrown from a bridge should drown if she was a witch. If she survived, she was cleared of witchcraft charges.

Cathedral

The symbol of the city of Basel in Switzerland is the Cathedral, which is a basilica in the late Romanesque style. Its walls are made of red sandstone. And on top of the building is decorated with a roof of red tiles. In 1258, the cathedral was damaged by fire, as a result of which the temple had to be renovated. But in 1356 the building was damaged by a strongearthquake, after which it was rebuilt in the style of that era, as evidenced by the interior decoration.

University Botanical Garden

The botanical garden at the university is of great interest to guests of the city of Basel in Switzerland. Walking along it will bring a lot of impressions. It was founded in 1589 and is considered the oldest in the world. The garden belongs to the Faculty of Botany. It is open to visitors throughout the year. Its territory consists of several sections, which are located on the street: rock garden, grove, ferns, Mediterranean plants and others. There are also greenhouses in which tropical representatives, succulents, and water lilies grow. But in a cold greenhouse there are those plants that are very sensitive to cold. Their location in the garden changes depending on the season. Among the plants of the botanical garden there are even those that are considered extinct. For everyone, there are guided tours around the territory.

Anatomical Museum

Basel in Switzerland is famous for its museums. Among them there is an anatomical museum, which was founded in 1924. Its founder was C. G. Jung. The museum was created on the basis of the medical faculty of the university, which rightfully bears the title of the oldest in the city. Within the walls of the institution there are interesting anatomical exhibits that have been here since its foundation.

In addition, the museum has a collection of unique things that played an important role in the development of anatomy. Within the walls of the institution you can see not only the permanent exhibition, but also temporary exhibitions,dedicated to the human body.

The exhibits in the museum are arranged in such a way that, moving from one to another, you can study the activity of different systems of our body. The structure of human organs can be thoroughly examined on interactive models. The museum has exhibited wax models since 1850.

Basel synagogue

The first Jews in Basel (Switzerland) appeared in the twelfth century. Over time, they built a temple for themselves. But in 1349, the Jews were accused of poisoning the water in the wells, after which 1,300 people were burned in the main square. Those Jews who survived were expelled from the city. They were able to return back at the end of the sixteenth century, when Basel became one of the major centers for printing books in Hebrew. After the French Revolution, Jews from Alsace moved to the city, where they were threatened with constant pogroms.

The modern community dates back to 1805. Then only 70 Jews lived in the city, now there are about a thousand of them. Basel now has not only a synagogue, but also Jewish schools and libraries. The Great Synagogue was built in 1868. The building accommodates 200 men and the same number of women.

Weather in Basel (Switzerland)

If you plan to visit this unique city and see its sights, then you will certainly be interested in weather conditions. The weather in Basel (Switzerland) is determined by a very mild climate. In this region, compared to other parts of Switzerland, there is always a lot of sun. And in autumn there are almost no fogs. The average daily temperature in summer is +20.5 degrees, andin winter - +2, 8. Experienced tourists note that you can visit the city at any time of the year. Even in summer, you can not be afraid of the heat, since the region is characterized by moderate temperatures in the warm season. Here, the sweltering heat will do you good if you want to see the sights.

Basel Carnival

The city gained world fame not only thanks to outstanding sights and museums. Basel in Switzerland is famous for the carnival, which lasts for three days every year. Celebrations begin on Monday in the first week of Lent. The procession of mummers begins at four o'clock in the morning in the dark. For the next 72 hours, the entire city boils and rages. Along the main street, along which mummers are walking, not a single free table in a cafe can be found, since everyone is celebrating. In fairness, it should be noted that the locals call the holiday Fasnacht, and the word "carnival" is considered offensive, since their holiday has its own characteristics and flavor.

Shrovetide processions in Basel (Switzerland) began to be held in the era of the Romans. Of course, in those days, the carnival looked very different. In its modern form, the scenario of the holiday took shape a little over a hundred years ago. Local communities come up with costumes for processions and frightening masks in advance. Citizens treat the traditional carnival in Basel (Switzerland) with great trepidation. Confetti of different colors, costumes, scary masks and wigs are all symbols of a big three-day performance. Only those who can take part in itassociations of people who have applied in advance. Outsiders are simply not allowed. But absolutely all tourists can look at the wonderful action. The main difference between Fakhsnat and other carnivals lies in the costumes of the participants. They are very specific. You will not see such mummers anywhere else in the world.

It is worth noting that every year a lot of money is spent on the preparation of the holiday. The costumes and traditional multicolored lanterns are remade every year with something new.

Football

The city of Basel in Switzerland (the photo is given in the article) is of genuine interest to all football fans. The Swiss Football Super League is known all over the world, it is attended by the best teams. The format of the championship and the number of participating teams have changed several times.

One of the most famous clubs in the country is FC Basel (Switzerland). It was founded back in 1893. Over the decades of its existence, the club has become a 20-time national champion. Many football fans invariably associate FC Basel with the Swiss Championship. The locals are very proud of the club's achievements. It is worth noting that Basel was the leader among Swiss teams from the late sixties to the end of the seventies. In the decades that followed, the club was not as successful. A new rise occurred in the year 2000.

All football fans watched with bated breath the Champions League match between Manchester City (England) and Basel (Switzerland) on February 13 this year, which was extremely important for the Swiss club. If you consider yourself a fan, then your hometown is super-team you will find a lot of interesting things for yourself.

Art Museum

Basel is known for its numerous museums, among which it is worth highlighting the art museum. Within its walls is a large collection of art objects of the country. The exposition is based on a large collection of Basilius Amerbach. Over the years of the museum's existence, its funds have been replenished with items bequeathed or donated by we althy citizens. So, for example, a city artist named Samuel Birman bequeathed half of his acquired property and his collection to the museum on the condition that paintings by contemporary Swiss masters would be purchased with his funds.

Currently, the largest world collection of paintings by artists of the Holbein dynasty is stored within the walls of the institution. The exposition of the museum is located on two floors of the mansion. On the ground floor there are works by the Holbeins, Rubens, Rembrandt, etc. Also here you can see the paintings of the Impressionists Van Gogh and Paul Gauguin. The second floor houses paintings and sculptures of the twentieth century. The museum contains works by cubists, including Pablo Picasso. There are paintings by Dali in the institution's funds.

Museum of Antiquities

The Basel Museum of Antiquities is worth a visit if you are interested in history. It has an amazing collection of Italian, Russian, Egyptian, Greek, Roman art. It is worth noting that the museum is the only one in the country where you can see an exposition dedicated to the culture of the Mediterranean and antiquity. Its building is located in the very center of the town. Within the walls of the museum, not onlyhouses its own collection, but also exhibitions are held. In different halls of the institution, you can not only see certain antique items, but also learn how they were made.

Travel recommendations and reviews

According to tourists, Basel is beautiful at any time of the year. Guests of the city recommend visiting its old part, where narrow streets have been preserved. It is pleasant to wander around them and feel the spirit of antiquity.

Basel is incredibly charming at Christmas. At this time, there are numerous fairs and markets selling gingerbread, cheese, children's toys, mulled wine and other holiday attributes. If you visit the city on Christmas Eve, you will have a lot of pleasant experiences.

Tourists recommend starting your tour of the city from the market square and the town hall. The historic center of Basel is very well preserved, here you can find a lot of interesting places. No less exciting will be a walk along the embankment along the river. There are a lot of museums in the city, we mentioned only some of them in the article. If you are interested in history or culture, we recommend that you think over the route of visits in advance, since many objects are of interest, but you probably will not be able to see absolutely everything in one trip. Enthusiastic reviews of tourists give reason to recommend Basel for a cultural holiday.