Churches and sacred institutions
Barefoot Church
The church, built by the Order of the Franciscans in the late Gothic style in 1298, was subjected to other purposes after the Friars Minorite abandoned it, such as the storage of salt in the 19th century. Nowadays the church houses a section of the historical museum, in which, among other things, exhibits on handicrafts and everyday culture are shown. These exhibits also include the Basel Minster Treasure and Erasmus’ estate from Rotterdam. According to militarynous, Basel is a city located in Switzerland.
Basel Minster
The minster stands on the mountain of the same name and on the square of the same name and was consecrated in 1019 by Emperor Heinrich II. (973-1024) and his wife Kunigunde, although the actual completion of the Romanesque-Gothic building should take until 1500. Nowadays the minster is the main church of the Evangelical Reformed Church in Basel-Stadt and a popular venue for concerts, including the Basel Cathedral Choir. The sacred work of art is particularly interesting for tourists because of the Gallus Gate, which is located on the western facade and is considered to be the most important Romanesque sculpture in Switzerland. Inside the church there is a crypt, which is the final resting place of some early Basel bishops. Of course, you shouldn’t miss the 62 meter high St.
Caution
You may only enter the towers when accompanied by another person in order to reduce the risk of suicide.
Elisabethenkirche
Right next to the Basel Theater is probably the most important neo-Gothic church in Switzerland. It was built between 1857 and 1864 and has a tower that, with its 72 meters, exceeds the two towers of Basel Minster.
St. Alban’s Monastery,
founded in 1083, also has parts from the 8th and 9th centuries. After some parts of the monastery had been demolished in 1838, extensive restoration work was carried out in 1890, 1911 and 1979. In 1876 and 1914 the monastery was rebuilt for residential purposes.
Marienkirche
The Marienkriche was built between 1884 and 1886 and thus represented the first Catholic sacred building since the impact of the Reformation. It was kept in the neo-romantic style and was last restored in the 1980s.
Martinskirche
Around 1100 this parish church in Basel was mentioned for the first time. Traditionally, their bells ring in the opening Saturday of the autumn fair. The church is mainly used as a concert hall.
Matthäuskirche
Located in the quarter of the same name, this Protestant neo-Gothic church with its 80 meter high tower is the highest in the city.
Basel synagogue
This Jewish house of God captivates with two gold shimmering dome points and represents the center of Swiss Jewry. It was built between 1866 and 1869, the designing architect being Hermann Gauss. The synagogue was expanded in 1892 and renovated in 1947 and 1986/97.
Markets
Market on the market square
Fresh fruits and fresh vegetables, along with other local products, are available for purchase on Basel’s wonderful market square every day of the week (except Sunday). Most sellers come here on Saturdays. The prices are high, but you should still consider visiting.
Flea market
You can go bargain hunting on St. Peter’s Square every Saturday.
Fountain of Basel
Basel has around 170 wells. But not all of them are of historical or architectural importance. Some of Basel’s fountains are listed below, but they are definitely worth a visit.
Basilisk Fountain
This type fountain was created in 1884 and shows Basel’s heraldic animal, the basilisk.
Elisabethenbrunnen built in
1875, it is crowned by the 1.5 meter high statue of St. Elisabeth.
Carnival fountain
This fountain was created in 1977 by the artist Jean Tinguely and is located in front of the city theater.
Fischmarktbrunnen
The Gothic fountain, built around 1390, is located on the Fischmarktplatz.
Simson and Delilah Fountain
This fountain was established on Barfüßerplatz in 1843. In 1878 he received the portrayal of the Old Testament lovers Samson and Delila.
Spalenbergbrunnen (“John the Baptist”)
This is the largest niche fountain in Basel. It dates from 1839 and has included a mural by the painter Nima Donzé since 1921.
Urban fountain
In 1448 the Urban fountain was built. Its name goes back to the statue of Saint Urban.
Anyone who would like to find out more about all of Basel’s fountains can do so at:
www.brunnenfuehrer.ch
University
University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland (FHNW)
This Basel University of Applied Sciences consists of eight universities and a total of 50 institutes. There are branches at nine locations in the Swiss cantons of Aargau, Basel-Land, Basel-Stadt and Solothurn. About 8,000 women and men are currently studying at the educational institution, which was only founded in 2006.
By the way, the Music Academy of the City of Basel has also been part of the FHNW since 2008.
Gymnasium am Münsterplatz
The gymnasium, founded in 1589 opposite the Münster, is the oldest in the city and one of the oldest in Switzerland. About 300 students currently attend the well-reputed school.
by the way
The most important teachers at the grammar school include the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche and the historian Jacob Burckhardt. The latter was also a student at this grammar school, as was the renowned psychologist Carl Gustav Jung.
University of Basel
With the founding year 1460 the oldest university in Switzerland, the University of Basel also has the most important library in the country. In addition to the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, Karl Barth, Jacob Burckhardt and Karl Jaspers were also important lecturers here. The university, with around 10,500 students studying, consists of seven faculties. These are:
- Faculty of Psychology
- Law Faculty
- Medical school
- Faculty of Philosophy and History
- Faculty of Philosophy and Natural Sciences
- Faculty of Theology
- Faculty of Business and Economics