Basel, Border city in northwestern Switzerland.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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