Basel beautiful views and Switzerland's oldest university.

Basel is a city located in the north of Switzerland right on the border with Germany and France. It is divided into two parts - Little and Great Basel (Kleinbasel and Grossbasel). It is the third largest city in the country and one of the largest cultural and economic centers.

From as early as the Middle Ages, Basel was a major scientific and commercial center in this part of Europe. From the 11th to the 16th century, it belonged to a duchy of bishops under the auspices of the Holy Roman Empire; later it joined the Swiss Confederation and became an independent canton.

One of its symbols is the Basilisk - it can be seen whether on the city's fountains or on buildings. The first likenesses of the mythical creature probably appeared in the city in the mid-15th century. Although it seems that the name Basel is somehow connected with him, there is little evidence of this. Some of the legends associated with the city's origins tell of a basilisk inhabiting one of the caves in the area where the Gerber-Brunnen fountain now stands. Above the tap is a plaque with text describing this legend.

Basel - what to see in the city

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Basel is one of those cities where, in addition to numerous monuments, you will find dozens of museums and art galleries. Which ones are worth visiting first?"

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Market and Town Hall

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The largest landmark on Basel's market square is the more than 500-year-old richly decorated and distinctive red-colored City Hall building. Nearby, the city's main shopping street, Freie Strasse, with its upscale stores and restaurants, has its beginning.

The city's main shopping street.

Basel Cathedral

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This temple was built between 1019 and 1500, making it a combination of two styles - Romanesque and Gothic. Its facade is made of red sandstone that somewhat resembles brick in appearance. Inside, it is worth noting the late Gothic pulpit, the 15th-century baptismal font, the tomb of Erasmus of Rotterdam or the crypt with the graves of bishops buried there between the 10th and 13th centuries. The cathedral's towers retain the original 14th-century statues of its patron saints, St. George and St. Martin.

Pfalz viewing terrace

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The terrace is located just behind the cathedral. From it you can enjoy beautiful views of the Rhine and Little Basel, as well as the hills of the Black Forest beyond the German border. In the Middle Ages, a bishop's palace was located on the site of the terrace, as the name "Pfalz", meaning palace, reminds us today.

St. Martin's Church

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This late Gothic church dates back to the 12th century and is considered the oldest parish church in Basel. However, only the chancel and the lower tiers of the tower have survived to our times. Inside you can see quite a few works of art. Its bell traditionally sounds in autumn during the fair held then.

Kunstmuseum (Art Museum)

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The country's largest collection at this museum includes works of art from the 15th century to the present day. You'll find paintings, sculptures, as well as various installations, video art or photographs. Among the names of the works' authors are Rubens, van Gogh, Monet, Dali, Picasso and Munch. The museum consists of two majestic edifices connected to each other by an underground passage.

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Tinguel's Fountain

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The fountain dates back to 1977 and is the work of Swiss artist Jean Tinguely. It consists of ten sculptures moved by a special mechanism, which twist and bend in various ways while gushing water.

Ruins of Augusta Raurica

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Less than 10 kilometers east of Basel are some of the best-preserved Roman ruins in Switzerland. In the 1st century BC, the Romans established their colony here on the site of a pre-existing Celtic settlement. At the ruins today you can see the remains of an amphitheater and baths, a temple of Jupiter or a Roman aqueduct. There is also a museum collecting objects of daily use of the ancient inhabitants of Augusta Raurica found during the excavations carried out.