Not only to see the main sights, but also to visit one of the many museums, taste the famous local honey gingerbread, and explore the architectural monuments reminiscent of the culture of nearby Germany and France. Here is a program “minimum” – for anyone who is ready to go to Basel.
The third most populous city in Switzerland, is located on three borders and is divided into two parts by the Rhine, the swift flow of which can be admired from high bridges. Most of the most important sights are located in the so-called Greater Basel. We will take our time to explore the history of the medieval city: churches with unique altars and frescoes, narrow alleyways with curious names, houses with unusual facade decorations, and fortress towers. I’ll tell you about the history of the city and show you the basilisks, mysterious creatures with whom much is associated in Basel. But that’s not all. We will study together the stone and wooden carvings of the portals and choirs of the Cathedral, pass by the luxurious 18th-century residences, where representatives of European imperial houses were once received, and look into the inner courtyard of the Town Hall. If you have enough energy, we will definitely visit a special old quarter of the city and have a short rest in one of the famous patisserie. A cup of coffee and tasty pastries will be a great addition to the stories about the famous Carnival in Basel. It’s almost impossible to describe this stunning spectacle in words, but I’ll try…
A list of the main sights we will see
Railway station building
Strassburger memorial – modeled by F.A. Bartoldi, best known for designing the Statue of Liberty
Aeschenplatz and interesting buildings by contemporary architects
Elisabeth Church, Stadt Theatre (Municipal Theater) and Tinguely Carnival Fountain
Barfüsserkirche (Franciscan Church) and Barfüsserplatz
Fischmarkt and famous historic hotel Les Trois Rois
Mittlere Bridge and Kleinbasel (Little Basel)
Marktplatz (Market square) and Rathaus (Town hall)
Münster Cathedral and Pfalz terrace
Noble city buildings and residences
City gates – Spalentor, St.Alban Tor
Medieval guild quarters
Fountains and statues
Contemporary architecture
The Spalentor (Gate of Spalen)
In addition to the main tour
On a small local train and in only 10 minutes you can make a trip to … the past to the capital of one of the former Roman colonies. From the big and rich city the big amphitheater was left, columns of the temple, stone blocks of other constructions…Many waters have flowed away from those very old times, but near the stone steps of the ancient baths, as well as many centuries ago, the great Rhine flows freely and majestically.
