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Basel

Basel is Switzerland’s second largest city and is located just inside Swiss border with France and Germany. Its wealthy patrician family has nurtured a tradition of scholarship and art since the Renaissance. The Swiss EuroAirport is on French soil and is shared with Mulhouse-France, Freiburg im Breisgau-Germany and Basel-Switzerland.

Basel is divided into Greater Basel and Basel Proper and it is believed that the Celts were the first people to settle the area now known as Basel in the pre-Christian era. The name Basilica (King’s Castle) was first mentioned in 374 in documentation and the area converted to Christianity, as Basel became an important seat for Bishops.

Attractions

Munster (Cathedral) – the cathedral built in red sandstone in old town was consecrated way back in 1019 but an earthquake destroyed it in 1356. It was rebuilt with green and yellow tile roof along Romanesque and Gothic style and functioned as an Evangelical Reformed Church since 1529. The pulpit dates back from 1486 was carved from a single block of stone and the main treasure at the end of south aisle is an 11 th century bas-relief. The façade is richly decorated depicting everything from prophets to virgins.

Antoniuskirche – is an example of church made of concrete was built in 1925-27 and designed by Karl Moser. The church is influenced by industrial buildings with bright interior can be compared with an aircraft hanger and the rest of the surrounding rooms is of same height.

Architekturmuseum – the small and influential museum was established in 1984, is privately run museum. The museum building is an example of modern 1950’s architecture with three exhibition areas the Swiss Modern Architecture, Contemporary International Architecture and International Shows.

Historisches Museum Barfusserplatz – is an former 14 th century Franciscan Church on ‘Barefoot Square’ named for the unshod friars has collections of many relics of medieval Basel. The main exhibit among the collections is the reliquary bust of St. Ursula in silver and gold was commissioned by the people of Basel to contain the saint’s relics. The best-known sculptures are in the late Gothic style depicting a babbling king and also rare 15 th century tapestries and specimens of ecclesiastical art.

Museum of Contemporary Arts – a leading European museum highlighting artists from the 1960’s to the present includes works by Bruce Nauman, Richard Long, Jonathan Borofsky, Joseph Beuys, Frank Stella and Donald Judd.

Fischmarktbrunnen – the beautiful fountain was built at the end of the 14 th century and was heralded as the most beautiful fountain in Northern Europe. The original piece is in the Historical Museum with a gothic centerpiece. Above the four solid gargoyles stand angels either with musical instruments or weapons.

Kunstmuseum (Fine Arts Museum) – the fine arts museum is the oldest museum in Switzerland and one of Europe’s most remarkable collections with collections of old masters to 20 th century paintings. The works represent the development of art of the upper Rhine valley from the 14 th century to the 17 th century and also works by outstanding modern artists.

Botanischer Garten Bruglingen - Basel hosted a garden show with the title ‘Green 80’ in 1980 and the original name came from a homestead, the remains of which are still visible. The small nearby café, which was served as Christoph Merian’s summer residence is now a café.