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| Welcome to Basel |
 Basel is Switzerland's
third largest city. It is also a highly cosmopolitan city: not just as the centre ofan agglomeration of 700,000 people living in three countries (Switzerland, Germany, France), but also as home to citizens of some 150 nations. Moreover, Basel is characterized by a very high density of internationally-active corporations; these spread Basel's name throughout the world. As a large number of world's companies have their headquarters in Basel, the city also attracts highly-skilled specialists and their families from the widest possible variety of countries. |
| History |
| Basel is known as a banking and pharmaceutical multinational centre. However, it would be a bit narrow-minded to leave it at that. Basel is an interesting arty city, split up by the river Rhine and its medieval past is endowed with some of the greatest minds of European history, including Erasmus, Ulrich Zwingli, Friedrich Nietzsche and Hermann Hesse. Its long-standing patronage of the arts has resulted in a monopoly of first-rate museums and galleries, which are well worth visiting, as is its historic centre. The right bank (better known as Kleinbasel) is the more modern centre. On the left bank (Grossbasel), one can trace the history of Basel in the old town that is ruled by the Münster cathedral, where the bones of the reformist Erasmus of Rotterdam are buried. |
| Remarkable features |
| Basel's sights can be easily explored on foot. The highest concentration of sights is around the old marketplace and the cathedral. The hilly surroundings of the city offer some excellent views and walks. Don't miss your chance to stand on the three countries corner (Switzerland, France and Germany). A good day-trip is a visit to Kaiseraugst, just some few kilometers from Basel. Here, you can visit the remnants of the oldest roman city on the Rhine. Jean Tinguely Museum, accessible by public transport, near the Roche offices. Great fun for all ages – see and manipulate some of the artist's kinetic sculptures. University of Basel – Switzerland's oldest and major centre for humanism, founded in 1460 by Pope Pius II. Tinguely fountain in the city proper. It will make one wonder why all fountains don't make such fun use of water pressure. Fasnacht Festival, once a year – a tradition of costumes, music and fun. |
| Getting there |
| Basel shares its airport with Mulhouse (France) and Freiburg (Germany). It is a public company under international law domiciled in France and the only completely bi-national airport in the world. Situated entirely on French territory, the airport has a Swiss customs sector, connected to Basel via a customs road. Basel has two train stations straddling three countries. Basel SBB is the main one, most in Switzerland, although the section known as "Balé" SNCF is in French territory (passport control). Trams No.1 and 2 shuttle to Barfüsserplatz. Fast trains from Germany terminate at Basel SBB, but local Freiburg trains stop short at Basel Badischer Bahnhof, in a German enclave within Kleinbasel. There is a tourist office at the SBB train station (open every day) and a larger one in the centre at Schiffslände 5 (closed on Sundays). Town: Bern Basel Geneva Zurich |
Switzerland-4You: be Swiss-Happy! |
| Switzerland at a glance | |
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| Outdoor activities in Switzerland | |
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