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Basel

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Basel, Border city in northwestern Switzerland.

Description

The city sits where Germany, France and Switzerland meet, with the Rhine running through the center and connecting both banks. The old town rises on the left side of the river, while the younger district of Kleinbasel spreads along the right.

History

Romans founded a settlement here that later became the seat of a prince-bishop before joining the Confederation in 1501. That union ended centuries of church rule and opened the way for its growth as a trading center.

Culture

Every February, masked musicians fill the alleys during Fasnacht, a carnival that locals prepare for all year. The entire community takes part in the three-day event, and visitors walk among costumed parades that wind through the old town before dawn.

Practical

Public transport includes trams and buses that reach the center, the outskirts and continue directly into France and Germany. Most landmarks lie within walking distance in the old town or along the riverfront.

Did you know?

The art museum holds the oldest municipal collection in the world, opened in 1661 and displaying works from the 15th century onward. Visitors find paintings and sculptures that span centuries of artistic evolution.

Location
Elevation above the sea
247 m
Shares border with
Riehen, Birsfelden, Muttenz, Münchenstein, Reinach, Bottmingen, Binningen, Allschwil, Saint-Louis, Weil am Rhein, Huningue
Address
Basel, Switzerland
Website
GPS coordinates
47.55811,7.58783
Latest update
December 17, 2025 08:02

AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Basel-Stadt).

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Historical landmarks in Basel

Basel sits where Switzerland, France, and Germany meet, and has grown over centuries into a major center of culture and architecture. The city preserves its history through buildings and museums that shape how people live, work, and worship here, showing the layers of time in its streets and...

« Basel - Border city in northwestern Switzerland » is provided by Around Us (aroundus.com). Images and texts are derived from Wikimedia project under a Creative Commons license. You are allowed to copy, distribute, and modify copies of this page, under the conditions set by the license, as long as this note is clearly visible.

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