The most common mode of transportation in Basel


The Museum of Crafts and Design at the university that we passed on our way to our hotel.


On the front there is a plaque commemorating the appointment of a new bergermister (mayor) in 1574
When I used Google to try to figure out the inscription it gave "drunk driver" as the translation of "Suuffeuritre"


The Fish Market fountain


From there head toward the waterfront and find Boy with a Fish fountain.


A ramp provided for docking even if the river level varies a lot.


A broader view of the part of the city across the river.


In the courtyard of the Kunstmuseum Basel you will find Les Bourgeois de Calais.sculpture by Rodin.
It commemorates when Edward III of England offered to spare the people of the city if six of its leaders would surrender themselves to him, presumably to be executed. Edward demanded they walk out wearing nooses around their necks, and carrying the keys to the city and castle.
One of the wealthiest of the town leaders, Eustache de Saint Pierre, volunteered first, and five other burghers joined with him.
Saint Pierre led this envoy of volunteers to the city gates.
It was this moment, and this poignant mix of defeat, heroic self-sacrifice, and willingness to face imminent death which Rodin captured in his sculpture.
The burghers expected to be executed, but their lives were spared because England's queen, Philippa of Hainault persuaded her husband to exercise mercy.
 

Dinner in a restaurant near our hotel.
It was good so we went back the next day.


Walking through town one evening we decided to stop for a snack.
Does this look good to you?


It did to us so we sampled several


Walking through Basel we came on this water powered sculpture.  Very creative.


There was a small protest group in the park next to the university.


Tents for the protesters


Upcoming events.


Saint Peter's church



Not far away we found this plaque over a doorway, it may mean the clergyman's yard.
Then again it may not.


A farmer's market in the main town square.


The Rathaus" literally means "council house"
The local Basel German dialect term "Roothus" means both "council house" and sounds like "red house", an appropriate pun since it is made of red sandstone.


The bell tower played for us


Note this clock has two hands.
You will see why that is interesting a few pictures below.


A statue inside.


The open courtyard inside from ground level


and several stories up


A single handed clock unlike the one on the front of the building.


The door to the council chamber.
It was in use so we couldn't go in.


Samson and the lion in bas-relief decorated a hall.


Anything look good?
Pretty much everything.


Desert for dinner upstairs in the dining room.


A map of the city from 1615 was displayed.


Three views of the Basel Minster cathedral.


Saint George and the dragon.


This sundial manages to show the hours by being in two parts on the corner of the building so it is in the sun all day.
 

Saint Martin of Tours cutting his cloak to give part of it to a beggar


These statues show a young maiden on the right about to swoon for the Duke or dandy on the left.
They were intended to serve as a warning.
You can see from another view that shows that behind his cloak he is made of serpents.


The front entrance


Inside we were struck by the stained glass windows.


A courtyard is surrounded by a hall with memorial plaques honoring historic figures of Basel.
 


And more sculpture and plaques nearby.


One of the gates in the wall surrounding the old city.


And within sight of the gate was another fountain.
Basel has 231 of them.


The Novartus Pavilion, a medical display center.


Roman Catholic Church of St. Joseph spotted as we drove by.


This is a basilisk, a mythical creature guarding the Wettstein Bridge.
We were careful not to get in front of it since it can kill with a single glance.


And here a fountain is topped with another


As we strolled about we found this rather pained fellow


And this one was downright rude.
 

And elaborate carvings over entryways.


If you didn't want to walk this steep pathway there was an elevator to reach the lower level near the square.


Les Trois Rois, a luxury hotel, we didn't stay there.


Gifthüttli, a restaurant on Andreasplatz


Hotel Märthof in Basel


Colorful trams to get around the city


Thanks for visiting