Basel Off The Beaten Path Tips by german_eagle Top 5 Page for this destination

St. Johann Vorstadt

St. Johann Vorstadt is another district of Basel worth to see. It is sort of the pendant to St. Alban, albeit not as picturesque and of totally different ambience.

St. Johann also has a city gate, one of the three remaining. This one was built 1370-80 and looks pretty similar to St. Alban city gate IMO. Other architectural delights are the old townhouses along the street with the same name as the district. On a walk along St.-Johanns-Vorstadt you'll pass the Baroque Reinacher Hof and Erlacher Hof, the "lazy maid fountain", classicistic Formenter Hof etc.

If you have some more time you might consider a walk through St. Johann park to the dock of the cruise ships or a visit of the Anatomic museum (Pestalozzistr.).

Botanical Garden

The Botanical garden operated by the Basel University is a very nice green and peaceful oasis in the bustling city. It is located next to Petersplatz and Spalentor city gate. Access from each side. The garden is open daily.

Founded in 1589 (at a different location, though) it is one of the oldest of its kind. There are several greenhouses and plants/trees outdoor. Any time of the year *something* is in bloom. Particularly nice is the Tropical greenhouse where they also have some birds that sing all the time.

Website: http://pages.unibas.ch/botgarten/

Museum for Paper, Writing and Printing

This museum found its home in the former Basel paper mill from the 15th century, in the charming St. Alban quarter.

This museum is "interactive" - that means you can check out yourself the process of paper making like in old times. Absolutely fascinating. Displayed is also the development of printing and bookbinding. You can even see the original late Gothic living room of the Gallican family. In the shop you can buy excellent papers, but it is quite expensive.

St. Alban-Tal 37,
Tel. +41 61 272 96 52

Website: http://www.papermuseum.ch/

Hauptpost

The central post office building (Hauptpost, located Freie Strasse, centre of the old town) was built 1853 in Neo-Gothic style by J.J. Stehlin, a popular local architect. In 1880 another complex was added. The public hall is decorated with beautiful frescos (theme: Transportation in past and presence) by Burkhard Mangold (1909/10), restored 1977.

From outside the buildings looks rather dark and massive (sandstone), but I was very surprised when I went in and saw the light hall with tall pillars and the stunning pictures. Really a gem. (See my General Tip "Internet" as well.)

BIZ

The building of the BIZ (Bank for International Payment Regulations) is located near the Central Railway Station SBB. It was built 1977 by Burckhardt & Partner AG.

The BIZ was founded 1930 at the conference of Den Haag by the Central Banks of Germany, Belgium, France, UK, Italy, Japan, Switzerland and the US. After WWII Canada, Australia and South Africa joined the BIZ. It acts as the "Bank of Central Banks (In the US "Federal Reserve Bank"). The Bank plays a major part in regulations of international payments and the balance of financial markets (currently Basel II, if you know what this means.)

Strasbourg Monument

The Strasbourg Monument was created by August Bartholdi in 1895 (whose most famous work is the Statue of Liberty in New York). It was a gift from the citizens of Strasbourg to say thanks to Switzerland for the help for the hardly damaged Strasbourg in the war 1870/71.

The figures depict and angel guarding women and children, the reliefs show the help in the damaged city and the legendary boat ride with the millet gruel pot 1476, reminding of the centuries old friendship between Switzerland and Strasbourg.

Spalen fountain

Basel has a huge number of fountains. One of them, and a very beautiful one, is the Spalen fountain, right next to the Spalentor city gate.

It depicts a man playing the bagpipe. This motif is very popular in Switzerland (see Bern) and goes back to a drawing of Albrecht Dürer.

The relief with dancing folks at the bottom of the column is made after a picture of Hans Holbein.

Andreasplatz

The Western part of the old town remained its medieval ambience very well. One of the most charming places is the small Andreasplatz square. The surrounding houses were completely restored in the 1980s.

Very funny is the Monkey fountain in the centre of the square. Cafés, a bakery, several little shops and the restaurant Hasenburg attract visitors and make it a lively, but not crowded place.

Great place to have a coffee with pastry for a break.

Wettstein fountain

Right by the Wettstein bridge in Kleinbasel you also find the Wettstein fountain, a work of Alexander Zschokke (1955). It depicts the mayor Johann Rudolf Wettstein (1594 - 1666).

In 1648, after the 30year war, he achieved independence of Basel and Switzerland from the Roman-German Reich in the treaty of Münster and Osnabrück (Westfälischer Frieden).

In the background of the picture you see the orphanage (see Must See Tip).

St. Theodor church

St. Theodor is an excellent example for a mid-size Gothic church of the Upper Rhine area. The church was rebuilt in 1377 after the earthquake and again 1422.

The walls inside are decorated with beautiful frescos (1420). Very beautiful are the late Gothic font of sandstone, the pulpit (1497), the stained glass windows in the choir (1370).

To get inside you need to make a reservation at the sacristan, claragraben 43, Tel. 691 26 63).

The church is located at the right bank of the Rhine (Kleinbasel), near the Wettstein bridge.