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05 / 2017
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BASEL - LOCAL SWISS PRIDE AND COSMOPOLITAN FLAIR Switzerland ' s second - largest city may now be an internationally im portant center of industry and finance , yet a walk around its Old City is like taking a journey back in time . On the hill overlooking the Rhine , the lanes are flanked by splendid mansions spanning architectural his - tory from the Middle Ages to the 19th century . Yet the center of Basel is much more than a mere museum of pretty houses . The city ' s location at the point where Switzerland , France and Germany briefly touch means that its inhabitants are both fiercely independent yet have taken pains to absorb the best of all three cultures . This is reflected not only in the bizarre local dialect but also in the city ' s fine cuisine and an outstanding array of museums and galleries of international standing . Basel is a city where it pays to go with the flow , ' as this is the best way to appreciate its unique atmosphere and slightly offbeat style .
platz northward to Augustinergasse before turning into Martinsgasse that leads to the 14th - century Church of St . Martin . 3 . Museum of Fine Arts : This magnificent temple of the arts spans outstanding works Cranach , Holbein , Rembrandt and Rubens , as well as masterpieces by Cézanne and van Gogh . The modern extension is especially strong on post - war American art . 4 . Historical Museum : The former Franciscan Church on Barfüsser platz contains this very worthwhile museum focussing on Basel ' s illustrious past . The main shopping streets of Basel are located be tween here and Marktplatz . 5 . Old City Hall : The late - Gothic Altes Rathaus dates from 1507 - 13 and is a striking symbol of civic pride at the time of the Reformation . If you have time , you may like to explore the lanes of the hill opposite , the so - called Spalenberg . 6 . Middle Rhine Bridge ( Mittlere Brücke ) : This elegant bridge dating from 1903 - 5 is adorned by a small chapel rescued from an earlier bridge 7 . " Little Basel ( Kleinbasel ) : A walk along the right bank of the Rhine offers great views toward the Old City . 8 . Tinguely Museum : Further upriver on the Kleinbasel side , this mu seum is dedicated to the quirky work of the local artist , Jean Tinguely , who created bizarre moving sculptures using all sorts of odds and ends . There is also a delightful fountain by the same artist opposite the City Theater
BASEL
THE HISTORICAL CONTEXT IN A NUTSHELL Soon after the foundation of the nearby Roman city , Augusta Raurica , in 44 BC , a Roman fortress was built on the hill where Basel ' s Cathe dral now stands . In the following centuries , Basilea ( first mentioned in 374 AD ) grew into a sizeable settlement . By the 7th century , Basel had its own bishop and Cathedral . The latter was destroyed in 917 , when invading Magyars captured the city . Basel gained in importance when a first wooden bridge was erected over the Rhine in 1226 . Its ongoing growth was abruptly halted by a terrible earthquake in 1356 . The next century saw the almost complete rebuilding of the city , whose prestige rose with the foundation of a university here in 1460 . The following years saw Basel emerge as a center of printing and , as the Reformation began , a refuge for Protestants . Indeed , the great hu - manist , Erasmus of Rotterdam ( 1469 - 1536 ) , spent the last years of his life here and is buried in Basel Cathedral . In the meantime , Basel had become an independent free city and joined the Swiss confederation in 1501 . Later growth and expansion led to the demolition of most of the old defensive walls in 1852 .
SWITZERLAND Geographical position : 47° 33 ' N / 07 * 35 ' E Av . alt . : 845 feet ( 260 m ) Area of the city : 8 . 8 square - miles ( 22 . 79 km ) Population : 172 , 000 Region : Basel - Stadt ( canton ) River : Rhine Economy : International banking insurance , major chemical and pharmaceutical companies , machine and metal production , textiles , river transport , publishing , trade fairs , cultural events , university , tourism
ENJOYING THE LOCAL CULTURE AND LIFESTYLE If you have a sweet tooth , you ' ll simply love Basel . The city ' s best known specialty is Basler Läckerli , a rather chewy , spicy ginger bread often sold in elegant tins and in miniature drums . The best address for this is the Läckerli - Huus in Gerberstrasse . For a tempt ing array of chocolate , fudge and cream delicacies , try Brandli ( Barfüsserplatz ) , Café Schiesser ( Marktplatz ) or Confiserie Gilgen ( Spalenberg ) . While the main squares and streets have many good cafés , you can ' t beat the courtyard setting of Café Schmiedenhof ( Rümelinplatz ) or the view from the small terrace of Café Merkur ( Eisengasse ) . Don ' t miss the chance to take a ride across the river on one of the small ferry boats , for example the one that moors directly below the Cathedral . If you feel a little peckish , perhaps you might enjoy Geschnetzeltes ( strips of veal in a creamy sauce ) or a cheese fondue . The latter contains Swiss wine , and the local vintages are a rarity indeed well worth checking out
MAIN POINTS OF INTEREST 1 . Basel Cathedral ( Münster ) : Basel ' s principal church enjoys a com manding site high over the Rhine . Its long building history embraces the Romanesque and Gothic styles . The adjoining double cloister is particularly peaceful and charming . 2 . Cathedral Hill ( Münsterberg ) : To enjoy a crash course in delightful architecture spanning the 14th and 18th centuries , stroll across Münster
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