St. Jacob's Monument

St. Jacob's Monument is a memorial in Basel situated at the intersection of two main streets, featuring a marble structure with multiple figures. A central female figure is flanked by four male representations on a cross-shaped pedestal crafted from costly Carrara marble and limestone.

The memorial was inaugurated in 1872 and replaced an older sandstone tower from 1824, commemorating soldiers who fell in a 15th-century battle. This event was a defining moment in Swiss history and shaped regional memory for generations to come.

The memorial takes its name from the battle that unfolded at this location, serving as a place where visitors pause to reflect on what occurred here. The figures on the pedestal convey through their positioning and poses a story of resistance and sacrifice.

The memorial stands at a busy intersection and is easily reached on foot, with open views from all sides of the street. The best time to visit is late afternoon, when light conditions highlight the marble details particularly well.

Sculptor Ferdinand Schlöth, who created the memorial, did not attend its inauguration and instead remained in Rome. This unusual withdrawal by the artist resulted from delays in marble processing that strained the entire project.