Your Guide to Basel
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YOUR GUIDE TO BASEL. BASEL.COM DISCOVER BASEL. It’s not that easy to find one word to describe Basel. Terms such as “Switzerland’s capital of culture”, “con- ference location” or “university city” are inadequate as they convey only part of the picture. Come and see the wealth of cultural, historical, relaxation and enjoy- ment experiences that awaits you. Whether you choose a swim in the Rhine, an interesting museum visit, an evening at the Schauspielhaus theatre or a river cruise back into the days of the Romans – find inspi- ration in the following pages that show what Basel has to offer. Have a wonderful time! Promenade at the banks of the Rhine CONTENTS. 4 Location & Getting there 6 History 8 Sightseeing 14 Art & Culture 20 Design & Architecture 26 Living & Relaxing 30 Eating & Going out 36 Shopping 40 Leisure & Excursions 44 Events 50 Basel in a day 54 Good to know 58 Contacts YOU CAN’T IGNORE BASEL. Take one of the numerous airlines and land at the Euro- Airport, ten minutes from the city centre, with excel- lent bus connections. You can fly to Basel’s EuroAirport or nearby Zurich from all Euro- pean cities and from over 200 other destinations in the world. Basel is a central transport hub for Europe and offers excellent connections from its three main stations: the Swiss Railway Station SBB, the French Railway Station SNCF, and the German Badischer Bahnhof; all in the centre of the city. As a guest of Basel hotels you will receive a Mobility Ticket with which you can enjoy free use of our efficient and extensive public transport network for the entire duration of your stay. Basel - where three countries meet Location & Getting there / 5 EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg Basel at the heart of Europe A CITY WITH HISTORY. Basel can look back on over 2000 years of history. And today, it is as present as ever. Its history is alive, offering an exhilarating contrast to the modernity in every corner of the city. In bygone times Even before our era, the Celts settled in Basel. The strategic location drew the Romans to station their armies on the Münster Hill in 30 B.C. After this, events in the middle ages left their impression on the city, in particular that of the Church Council and the founding of Switzerland’s first university in 1460. In Erasmus of Rotterdam’s time, this city of humanists was a centre of book printing and paper production. The reformation then brought silk weaving and dying, which preceded the pharmaceutical and chemical companies. Now Today, this once fortified settlement is a centre for life sciences, as well as for the chemical and pharmaceutical industry, and also has important companies in the logistics, transport and financial field. Additionally, Basel is the most important location for trade fairs and congresses in Switzerland, and, with its 200 000 inhabitants, one of the cities with the highest quality of life worldwide. History / 7 City Hall 1 / C-D6 BEAUTIFUL MOMENTS GUARANTEED. You don’t need to search for the sights in Basel. As you wander through the city, you will fi nd them with every step you take. Whether you are in the picturesque Old Town or in the midst of world class architecture – the city off ers something for every taste. The Rhine – our life line If you visit Basel, you won’t be able to avoid the Rhine. Especially in the warm months, the banks of the river tempt you to sunbathe and relax, to rest or to swim. From the Kleinbasel Rhine side, you will have a unique panoramic view of the Grossbasel district with the Cathedral and Pfalz, of the Mittlere Brücke, the four ferries, picturesque half- timbered houses and baroque residences. You can let your eyes wander from various viewpoints, enjoy refreshment in numerous restaurants and cafes, or just sit in the sun by the river and become part of the picture. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT BASEL’S ATTRACTIONS, PLEASE CONSULT OUR GUIDE “FIVE WALKING TOURS AROUND BASEL”. Sightseeing / 9 Mittlere Brücke 2 / D5 A beautiful Old Town Travel through all the eras of time: in hardly any other city do 15th century buildings complement internationally renowned modern architec- ture to create such a dynamic yet harmonious cityscape. The narrow alleyways and hidden squares with over 180 fountains as well as the many century-old buildings and eye-catching sights such as the City Hall or the Cathedral combine to make Basel’s Old Town one of the most beautiful and intact of its kind in Europe. Spalentor 3 / A-B6 Sightseeing / 11 Old Town buildings and the Roche Tower (Building 1) Between tradition and modernity Simultaneously, the city welcomes modernity with open arms. As home of Herzog & de Meuron, Basel has created a stir in the world of archi- tecture. Numerous other world-famous celebrities in this field have enriched the city with their works, thus cementing its reputation as a centre for contemporary architecture. The city oscillates between the inheritance of its history and the beat of the present. Tradition and modernity are more than slogans here, they are a living reality. Cathedral City Hall Tinguely Fountain (Fasnachtsbrunnen) Ferries Sightseeing/ 13 Cathedral and Pfalz 4 / D-E7 Basel’s landmark must be the Cathedral. This former Episcopal Church was built between the 12th and the 15th century in romanesque and gothic style. Today, the square around the church is a meeting place and is often used for events. From the observation platform, known as the “Pfalz”, you can enjoy a spectacular view overlooking the Rhine, the Kleinbasel district, the Black Forest and the Vosges. Tram: Lines 3, 6, 8, 11, 14, 15, 16 to Barfüsserplatz or lines 2, 15 to Kunstmuseum City Hall 1 / C-D6 The City Hall is the seat of the Basel government and its parliament. In the midst of the Old Town, it is particularly eye-catching with its red facade, the characteristic tower and playful frescoes. The oldest part of this imposing structure was built in the years between 1504 and 1514. In the centre court, you will find the statue of Munatius Plancus, the founder of the first Roman settlement in the Basel region. Basel Tourism offers regular tours through this historical building. Tram: Lines 6, 8, 11, 14, 15, 16 to Marktplatz Tinguely Fountain (Fasnachtsbrunnen) 5 / D8 In summer, it cheerfully shovels water, in winter, an enchanting ice sculpture: the unique fountain designed by the Swiss artist Jean Tinguely attracts tourists as well as passers-by, strollers, and Basel inhabitants wishing to enjoy their lunch break outside. With its central location in the city centre, it is the best starting point for a tour of the outdoor works of art of Basel. Tram: Lines 6, 10, 16 to Theater or lines 3, 6, 8, 11, 14, 15, 16 to Barfüsserplatz Ferries 6 / B1 / C4 / E6 / G7 A trip on one of the four ferries across the Rhine is not to be missed. Traditionally one calls the “Fährimaa” with a bell from the landing stage. Experience how time seems to stand still during the short crossing. Without sound, driven solely by the current, the ferries will take you to the other side of the river throughout the whole year. Operating hours: More information at www.faehri.ch 40 MUSEUMS. AND THAT’S NOT ALL, BY ANY MEANS. In Basel you will fi nd art in numerous museums and in many other locations throughout the city. You will experience a great deal of culture otherwise as well. 40 Museums from historical to contemporary Nearly 40 museums with world renowned exhibitions – this is unique in Switzerland and top class by international standards. With various themed areas, our museums off er something for every taste, and some have even written history. For example, the Kunstmuseum Basel Gegen- wart (museum for contemporary art) was the fi rst of its kind. And the Kunstmuseum Basel main building houses one of the oldest public art collections in the world. Open air art Whether you wander through the alleyways of the Old Town or take a break on a park bench – art is everywhere. Serra, Borofsky, Rodin or Niki de Saint Phalle are only a few names of the artists who have con- tributed to sculpting the cityscape with their works of art. base ADDITIONAL basel mu INFORMATION ABOUT THE SPECTRUM OF GUIDE CULTURE IN BASEL 2016 IS AVAILABLE AT englishseu OUR TOURIST seums INFORMATION OFFICES. Art & Culture / 15 “Intersection” by Serra 7 / D8 Paradise for theatre and music lovers In Basel, you will find the largest three-tiered theatre in Switzerland. Nearly every evening, major dance, opera and drama productions – with a broad repertoire and lots of innovation – take place. The city is also home to a lively alternative art scene, with uncountable theatres, jazz bars and music clubs providing a wide variety of entertainment. Theater Basel 8 / D8-9 Art & Culture / 17 Kaserne Basel 9 / C-D4 When culture comes to life Did you know that Basel is one of the few cities with a world-class orchestra of its own? The Basel Symphony Orchestra plays regularly at the Stadtcasino. Moreover, the city on the Rhine offers a wide range of cultural events. This also includes music festivals, such as BScene, which puts the spotlight on the local band scene once a year. 10 / I-J6 Museum Tinguely In this beautiful location on the Rhine, you will not only find the largest Tinguely collection in the world, but there are always exhi- bitions of other artists on display too.