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Basel
We will meet at the Tinguely Fountain (Fasnachtsbrunnen), one of the most famous spots in town. This is the main meeting point for the citizens of Basel. The water fountain was built by the swiss artist Jean Tinguely using pieces of the old theater that formerly existed in this space. During wintertime, the fountain becomes alive with it’s icicles, forming true natural ice sculptures.
Our next stop will be the Elisabeth Church. Known in the German language as Elisabethenkirche, or Offene Kirche Elisabethen, this is a 19th century church built in a Swiss Gothic Revival style. Construction begun in 1857 and was completed in 1864, and was sponsored by the wealthy Basel businessman Christoph Merian, and his wife Margarethe Burckhardt-Merian. Both now rest in a black marble sarcophagus in the crypt of this church.
Time to head out to feel the medieval ages, passing the Knights Street, or Rittergasse. Known in Basel as the mother of all streets, with its medieval architecture. This is the perfect spot to learn about how the city developed along the centuries.
Then we will get to the Münster Cathedral, the main picture-perfect sight of Basel. You will be awed by its 12-15th mixture of romanic and gothic styles, surrounded by a large and stunning square that hosts many events. Behind the cathedral we will pass the Münster Pfalz, to enjoy the view towards the city, the Rhine river and the neighborhood of Kleinbasel.
Some steps away we find the City Hall (Rathaus von Basel). A eye catching building located in the old market square of Basel (Marktplatz), it will call out to you with it’s red color. Don’t forget to enjoy its beautiful façade and the interior patio with the statue of Munatius Plancus, the roman founder of the city.
Let’s head out then to the The Blue and The White House (Blaues und Weisses Haus) are two baroque mansions on the Rheinsprung built by the architect Samuel Werenfels for the brothers Lukas and Jakob Sarasin in the 18th century. Their descendants founded the Bank Sarasin & Cie. in Basel. Nowadays, they are the seat of the Department for Economy, Social Welfare and Environment.
Now we will get to the Mittlere Brücke (Middle Bridge), one of the oldest monuments in town. It was first inaugurated in 1226, becoming one of the most important bridges over the Rhine that connected to the famous Gotthard Pass.
From here we will go back into the old town, once again passing the MarktPlatz, towards Barfüsserplatz, located in the city center. It is one of the most important crossing spots in Basel’s public transportation system. It is also in front of the Barfüsserkirche, or Church of the “Bare Feet”. Inhabited since 1100, the Franciscan order of Monks built a monastery here in 1256. It is from them that the square got its name from, since the Franciscans where known in German as the “Bare Feet” for their vow of poverty.
We can either end the tour here and set you on your own discovery through the city center, or take you to the nearby Tinguely Fountain for a better known place for your send off into Basel.
