7 important places to visit in Basel

Located on the banks of the Rhine, Basel is a major commercial and industrial center in Switzerland, and the University of Basel is an important part of European higher education and science. Important city attractions are concentrated in the historic center of Basel, with convenient infrastructure and tourist routes. Here are 7 of the most interesting places for tourists.

1. Basel Town Hall

The building of the city administration, built in the 16th century on the site of the old town hall, completely destroyed in an earthquake. Today it is a building of red stone with an old observation tower, which houses the city hall of Basel and the authority of the canton of the same name.

2. Basel Minster

The oldest European temple. Its history began in the 7th century with a wooden building. Until the 16th century, Basel Minster(Cathedral) was repeatedly destroyed and rebuilt, so no trace of the Middle Ages remained in the building. Now belongs to Protestants.

3. Basel Art Museum

The largest collection of fine arts in the country. Famous for the impressive Holbein art gallery. The museum also displays paintings by such masters as Van Gogh, Rembandt, Rubens, Dali and Picasso.

4. Museum of Natural History

Basel Museum of Natural History and Science. The collection of the museum tells about the history of the Earth in various historical periods – from Jurassic and Cretaceous to modern times, and also shows a huge variety of flora and fauna of our planet.

5. St. Elizabeth’s Church

The first Protestant church in the country, built after the victory of the Reformers. The temple was built entirely with money bequeathed to the city by K. Merian. The church building is built in the Gothic style and has a church spire, which is much higher in height than Basel Cathedral.