Explore Basel

The Middle Bridge crosses the Rhine at the oldest bridge site in Basel, where the first bridge was built around 1225; until 1879 it was the city's only crossing. The present granite bridge with seven arches replaced it in 1903–1905 and links Grossbasel with Kleinbasel. A copy of the old bridge chapel, the Käppelijoch, stands at its centre.

Basel Town Hall stands on the Marktplatz, its red facade covered with painted figures and topped by a tall tower. The central building with three pointed arcades was erected in 1504–1514 to mark Basel's entry into the Swiss Confederation in 1501. The cantonal parliament and government meet here, and the interior is shown on guided tours.

Basel Minster stands on the hill above the Rhine and was the city's cathedral until the Reformation of 1529; today it is a Reformed church. Built in red sandstone between 1019 and 1500, rebuilt after the earthquake of 1356, it has a roof of coloured tiles, two slender Gothic towers, two cloisters and the tomb of Erasmus of Rotterdam.

The Spalentor is one of three gates that survive from Basel's outer city wall, built after the earthquake of 1356. First recorded in 1387 and finished around 1400, it guarded the road to Alsace. A square gate tower with a steep roof of patterned tiles stands between two round crenellated towers, and the outer face carries carved figures and the Basel coat of arms.