Kunstmuseum Basel

Kunstmuseum Basel is a three-building complex holding extensive collections spanning from medieval to contemporary art in specialized gallery spaces. The layout guides visitors through different artistic periods and movements in a logical sequence.

The museum was established in 1661 with the acquisition of the Amerbach Cabinet, a significant private art collection. This made it the world's first publicly accessible art museum owned by a municipality.

The collection displays works by artists from the Upper Rhine region spanning the 14th and 15th centuries alongside paintings by Holbein and Picasso. Visitors can trace how these pieces reflect the artistic movements across different periods.

The museum is located near Basel Cathedral and easily walkable from the city center. Visitors should allow ample time for the extensive collections and can move between the separate buildings at their own pace.

The prints and drawings collection holds around 300,000 works, including approximately 50 drawings by Cézanne. The museum also preserves the original woodblock of Dürer's Saint Jerome from 1492.

Location: Basel

Inception: 1661

Architects: Rudolf Christ, Paul Bonatz

Official opening: 1661

Address: St. Alban-Graben 16

Opening Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 09:00-18:00; Wednesday 09:00-20:00

Phone: +41612066262

Website: https://kunstmuseumbasel.ch

GPS coordinates: 47.55417,7.59417

Latest update: December 7, 2025 10:00