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 Town Hall by german_eagle
The most parts of it were built 1504 - 14 and 1606 - 08 (Middle wing seen from the Market Square). 1898 - 1904 the left wing with the alcove and the tower were added - in the same style.
The stunning paintings on the facade are works of Hans Bock (1608 - 11, restored 1977). The clock was constructed by Master Wilhelm 1511 -12. In the vaulted entrance hall you can see paintings depicting stories of the jewish history (by Hans Bock again).
The yard fascinates again with painting by Hans Bock, restored 1978 - 83 (e.g. the gods Hermes and Diana, Prometheus waiting for the eagle etc.) Very impressive is the figure of Munatius Plancus (the Roman founder of Augst and Basel) on the foot of the staircase (1574).
I was very fortunate to have a friend in Basel who made the guide for a tour of the rooms in the town hall. For example I was able to see the magnificent government hall (16th century) with excellent stained glass windows, wooden panels and a stunning wood-carved ceiling. He also showed me the huge parliament hall (around 1900) which was fascinating.
Finally he got the key for the tower, we climbed up and enjoyed the fantastic views of the city. Leave a Comment Directions: Market square, right in the centre of the old town.
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 Inside, the main nave by german_eagle
The cathedral dominates Basel's impressive silhouette seen from across the Rhine river. Its towers are landmarks of the old town.
The cathedral as seen today was built over more than 500 years. The first church (donation by King Heinrich II.) was dedicated 1019. A fire destroyed large parts of that church in 1185, and it was rebuilt soon afterwards. The devastating earthquake 1356 hit the cathedral hardly. Large parts of the vaults, the choir and the towers had to be rebuilt. The construction was completed 23 July 1500.
Since this amazing cathedral houses so many outstanding works of art it is impossible to list these in only one tip - please let me take you on a tour of the cathedral in the following tips! Leave a Comment
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 Gruen80 lake by Myndo
Actually this one is located a little outside, behind the St. Jakob Stadion and garden bath.
In the Park right next to it ,they had a big exhibition in 1980, and the name kinda stuck, so today the area is called "Gruen 80" (green 80).
The park with its big lake and smaller creeks and lot of green areas is a recreation place for the Basler.
You can have a stroll through this green surrounding or lie at the lake go biking or with the inline skates.
Do not be astounded if you happen about a bigger Dinosaur in the park, that is a relict from the exhibition.
On the picture they had an exhibition from a Dadaism-artist (actually she was the girlfriend of Tinguely, so its no wonder this moved and turned, too, like the Tinguely fountain...)
UPDATE: Right now (summer 2005) they have an exhibition of Dinosaurs with many sculptures scattered all over the park. Leave a Comment Address: behind the St. Jakob Stadion and garden bathDirections: Take Tram No 14 until the St. Jakob Stadion to enter from the side of Brueglingen, take Tram 10 until the station "Neue Welt" to enter from the Gruen 80 side. or Bus 63 until the station "Neue Welt" (take care this bus drives only every 1/2 hour)Website: http://www.seegarten-gruen80.ch/park/default.asp
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 St. Alban Gate, Basel by Myndo
Every night the doors would be closed. If you wanted to come in after that you had to do it through a special small side door (the needle hole) and would have to pay a fine as well as getting registered.
Because the town grew too big, they finally tore down the walls and filled up the ditches.
From these 7 doors only 3 persist.
Its the St. Alban Gate. The St. Johann Gate and the Spalen Gate.
The St. Alban Gate on the picture is 32 m high.
It was the southern gate and a way to the Cloister-settlement in the St. Alban Valley.
The Cluniazenser Cloister was founded in 1083. The romanic Church St. Alban belonged to it too (and can also be visited here).
The monks also made an artificial pond here and two canals to the Rhine, so they could power some mills.
The surrounding of the Gate is a wonderful piece of the old Basel with its well maintained and renovated buildings. Just have a stroll around. Leave a Comment Directions: Tram No 3 until St.Alban Tor
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 Middle Bridge, Basel by Myndo
There are different Bridges in Basel over the Rhine, Middle Bridge is the most Central one.
The first version was built 1226. That bridge was made half of wood, half of stone (the stone half on the side of the bigger Basel).
Later it became quite important as it was one of the few ways to cross the Rhine and was lying on different trade routes.
The smaller Basel was actually built as a "bridge head", to protect the important bridge against attacks from germany.
Up until today that bridge would be an important defense point, and as far as I know there is still explosives built into it - just in case...
1905 the bridge as it stands today was built. The Käppeli (chapel) in the middle reminds of the old bridge.
As one might notice, that bridge is quite "clean". The stone it was made of had to be washed. That is also quite a story.
On one April 1st (fools day) a radio station made a joke, saying, that the gouvernment has decided to paint the Middle Bridge white. That was quite an uproar (for nothing, since it was only a joke). But because they really did paint part of the bridge white in the night, they had to clean it off ... and realized that this was not so easy. In the end that piece looked a lot different from the rest, so they were forced to clean the whole bridge. Leave a Comment
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 Arlequin assis (Pablo
Picasso) by german_eagle
Large parts of the old pictures go back to the 16th century and the collection of Basilius Amerbach, whose father was friend with Hans Holbein and Erasmus of Rotterdam. In 1661 the city of Basel bought his collection of pictures - the so called "Amerbach Kabinett" became the first public museum of Europe. Nowadays the museum's home is an impressive modern building (1932 - 36). In the yard you can see Auguste Rodin's sculpture "The citizens of Calais".
Highlights of the collection are the medieval pictures by Konrad Witz, Hans Baldung Grien, Lucas Cranach T. E., Hans Holbein etc. One of my personal favourites is Arnold Böcklin. The collection of 20th century pictures is another highlight: Picasso, Braque, Gris, Leger, Warhol, Tinguely, Beuys etc.
I was very fortunate to see the Schwitters/Arp exhibit as well for free. This exhibition is devoted to the work, the development and the dialogue of Hans Arp and Kurt Schwitters, two extraordinary geniuses. The 150 collages, reliefs, assemblages, paintings and sculptures on show cover the period from Arp’s early Dada creations to his last works of the 1960s, and from Schwitters’ first collages to sculptures and pictures dating from 1947, shortly before his death. Audio guides were available. In the entrance hall there are seats equipped with recordings of Schwitters and Arp reciting their own poems, musical contributions and a modern recording of Schwitters’ greatest literary work, the Ursonata. An unique exhibit, a must see if you are in the area, closing 22 August 2004
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 10 - 17 h Leave a Comment
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 View from the terrace by german_eagle
A narrow staircase leads down to the Rhine and the funny little ferry which crosses the river.
The views from the terrace are superb - "Klein"basel right across the river, the Black Forest in the distance, the Rhine with the bridges. Leave a Comment
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 view from the promenade across
the Rhine by german_eagle
To one side you see beautiful houses - mostly 19th century architecture, but partly older - and to the other you can enjoy the gorgeous views of the Rhine with the medieval old town at the other bank, with the cathedral as the landmark.
The promenades are dotted with cafés, restaurants, benches under trees and small fountains. Funny little ferries take you across the Rhine.
On the picture the view from Schaffhauser Rheinweg across the river of St. Alban quarter. Leave a Comment Directions: Right bank of the river (Kleinbasel), between Dreirosen bridge in the North and Schwarzwald bridge in the East.
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 Gallus Portal by german_eagle
The scenes depict the final judgement. In the arc Jesus as the judge of the world, to his sides Peter and Paul. Below this scene each five intelligent and dumb virgins.
The bigger sculptures to both sides of the door the four apostels with their symbols: Matthew (angel), James (eagle), Mark (lion) and Lukas (bull).
These works of art are very well preserved - almost everything is original. The quality is outstanding. For Romanesque art they show surprisingly much movement and individual expression. The figure of Jesus e.g. is with its dignified, but gentle impression one of the most beautiful Jesus figures of Romanesque art. Leave a Comment
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 Villa Merian by Myndo
It is located a little outside, next to the Gruen 80 and behind the St. Jakob Stadion.
They have several attractions (if you like plants): a garden with healing and poisonous plants, a maze where you can learn something about plants, in early summer they have the biggest blowing collection of Lilies of Europe (maybe the world).
In summer they are having theatre plays outside, in the gardens.
Here you also find the "Villa Merian". The Merians are an old and famous Basler family, quite rich, too, and they gave this building for the public.
In the parterre you have a Cafe where you can have a drink with the view on the smaller lake in front.
P.s. Under the roof is a room for university classes. I was there also, learning Botanic and about poisonous plants, which is great, because you can just get out and have a look at the real object.
The website is only on german, sorry. Leave a Comment
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- Les Trois Rois
Blumenrain 8 (Formerly Drei Konige Am Rhein), Basel - Dorint Hotel Basel
Schoenaustrasse 10 (formerly "Novotel"), Basel - Hotel St Gotthard Basel
Centralbahnstrasse 13, Basel - Euler Hotel
Centralbahnplatz 14, Basel - Mercure Hotel Europe Basel
Clarastrasse 43, Basel - Radisson Blu Hotel Basel
Steinentor strasse 25, Basel - Hotel du Commerce
Riehenring 91, Basel - Schweizerhof Hotel
Centralbahnplatz 1, Basel - Hotel Rochat
Petersgraben 23, Basel - Kunsthotel Teufelhof
Leonhardsgraben 49, Basel - Dasbreitehotel
Zurcherstrasse 149, Basel - Fw Fair Events Bb Basel
AESCHENVORSTADT 71, Basel - Hilton Basel
Aeschengraben 31, Basel - Basel Youth Hostel
Sankt Alban-Kirchrain 10, Basel - Admiral Hotel
Rosentalstrasse 5 Am Messeplatz, Basel
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